Repository navigation
Using Your Library
A Blank Box title brings together the details, physical copies and digital sources for a work. You might have a film on disc and in a connected server, or a book on your shelf and as an ebook. Review matches so those sources can belong to the same title while keeping their own details.
Open Physical Media to add a title, or use Import → Scan physical items for a barcode. Review the suggested title and edition, then record the copy's format, condition and location. Multiple copies can have different locations or conditions.
Barcode scanning needs camera permission and a secure browser context such as localhost or HTTPS. Manual code entry and barcode photos are alternatives. An unknown code can still be cataloged manually. A title match alone does not identify an exact edition, and a scanned reference does not become an owned copy until you confirm it.
Configure a source folder on the computer running Blank Box, with permission for its service account to read it. For Docker, mount the folder read-only into the container and use that container path in the source configuration.
- Open Import → Files on a drive or folder, choose the configured source and index it.
- Review the proposed titles and file clues. Link a file to an existing title where appropriate, or deliberately create a separate title.
- For larger drives, use Match all files (preview), review the proposed counts and confirm the links. Resolve uncertain files in Needs review.
- Open a title and check its Sources before importing the rest of the drive.
Indexing and linking leave originals in place. Copying files into managed storage is a separate confirmed action. Disconnecting a drive makes its files unavailable without erasing your saved title or ownership records. A changed file or drive identity needs review before access resumes.
Add your existing server under Settings → Connections, enter its reachable address and connection credentials, then sync its catalog. Choose connected matches deliberately when the title is already in your library.
A connected catalog adds title information and service sources. It does not copy the server's media into Blank Box or create owned physical copies. Playback opens the connected service, where you may need to sign in separately. The provider must be reachable from the device using it.
Open a title's Edit details to correct shared information. Review an offline or connected match before applying its facts. Copy condition and shelf location belong to the physical copy; file location and size belong to its source.
You can choose a details source or save your own corrections and cover art. Confirmed facts and owner edits remain in your catalog when an optional reference pack is removed. Provider covers remain connected references; uploaded owner artwork is saved catalog data.
Open a title and choose an available source. Blank Box directly plays files your browser supports and provides readers for supported EPUB and CBZ documents; PDFs use the browser's reader. Browser container and codec support varies. Use a compatible external app when a file cannot play or open in the browser.
Music tracks, episodes and audiobook parts can remain distinct sources under a title. Physical disc records describe your copies; playing a video disc requires an authorized compatible player on the computer with the drive. Blank Box does not include video transcoding or protected-disc copying.
Playback guide · Organizing collections · Backup and recovery
Use the guides included with your installed version for its exact commands. Windows remains experimental. Report feedback without sharing household data or credentials.