Build Calibre searches by field - without typing the syntax.
QuerySmith is a Calibre plugin that lets you filter your library by whether a field has a value or is empty, and combine those conditions into richer searches - all by picking fields from a menu instead of hovering to remember long lookup names and typing them into the search bar by hand.
It's a thin, read-only convenience layer over Calibre's own search: it composes the right query for you and drops it into the search box. Nothing is ever written back to your library.
- Filter by fill-state - find books where a field has a value or is empty, in one click.
- No syntax, no memorizing - pick fields from a list; QuerySmith knows their lookup names so you don't have to.
- Combined conditions - stack multiple field conditions and join them with Match ALL (AND) or Match ANY (OR).
- Per-library presets - save a set of conditions and re-apply it anytime from the toolbar. Presets are kept separately for each library.
- Works with custom columns - built-in fields and your own custom columns alike.
- Non-destructive - read-only; it only builds a search, it never modifies your books.
Manual install (works as soon as QuerySmith is released):
- Download the latest
QuerySmith.zipfrom the Releases page. - In Calibre, go to Preferences → Plugins → Load plugin from file and select the downloaded zip.
- Restart Calibre. The QuerySmith button appears on your main toolbar.
From within Calibre (once QuerySmith is listed in Calibre's plugin index — shortly after release):
- Go to Preferences → Plugins → Get new plugins.
- Search for QuerySmith, select it, and click Install.
- Restart Calibre.
- Single field: click the QuerySmith toolbar button, pick a field, and choose Has value or Is empty. Your library filters instantly.
- Multiple conditions: open Combined filter…, add condition rows, choose Match ALL (AND) or Match ANY (OR), and click Apply.
- Presets: save any set of conditions as a preset, then re-apply it in one click from the Presets submenu. Presets are per-library.
Pick any field - built-in or custom - straight from the menu.
QuerySmith composes the Calibre search for you - here, tags:false and series:true.
- Calibre 6.0 or newer (Qt6).
QuerySmith translates your choices into Calibre's native search syntax (<field>:true for populated, <field>:false for empty) and writes it into the search bar - so results use Calibre's own familiar matching. "Empty" follows Calibre's native definition (for example, a rating of 0 counts as empty, while a numeric 0 counts as a value); the in-app tooltips note these per-field edge cases.
QuerySmith is free and open-source. If it saves you time and you'd like to say thanks, you can buy me a coffee on Ko-fi or use the Sponsor button at the top of this page. Entirely optional - and always appreciated.
GPL-3.0 - in keeping with Calibre's own license.