Local files

Matane can read manga that are already on your computer: CBZ files from other apps, scans, your own downloads. It shows up as a source called Local files, so you browse it, add manga to the library, keep progress and history, and read in the same reader.

Setting it up

1. Make a folder with one folder per manga inside it:

   Manga folder/
   ├─ Some Title/
   │  ├─ cover.jpg            (optional)
   │  ├─ Chapter 1.cbz
   │  ├─ Chapter 2.cbz
   │  └─ Chapter 3/           a folder of images works too
   │     ├─ 001.png
   │     └─ 002.png
   └─ A One-shot/
      ├─ 001.jpg              images right in the folder: one chapter
      └─ 002.jpg

2. Open Settings → Browse & extensions → Local files and choose the folder.

3. Open Browse → Sources → Local files.

What it understands

• Chapters are .cbz or .zip files, or sub-folders of images (.jpg, .png, .webp, .gif, .avif). Names sort naturally: "Chapter 2" comes before "Chapter 10".
• Cover: cover.jpg, cover.png or cover.webp in the manga's folder; without one, the first page of the first chapter.
• Details: a ComicInfo.xml next to the chapters, or inside the first CBZ, gives the title, author, artist, summary and genres.
• .cbr, .rar and .7z archives are not supported; convert them to CBZ.
• Files and folders whose names start with a dot are ignored.

Good to know

• Updates: add a chapter file to a manga's folder, then use Refresh from source on its page (or let the library update check find it).
• Nothing to download: the files are already on your computer, so download actions are hidden. There is no web page either.
• Safe by design: Matane only reads inside the folder you chose. A symbolic link that points outside it is ignored.
• Moving the folder: your library stores paths relative to the folder, so you can move it or choose another location with the same contents. If you restore a backup on another computer, choose the folder there again.
• Stop using it: Stop using in the same setting forgets the folder; manga already in your library stay, and open again once a folder is chosen.