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2025-10-23T07:23:05Z

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2025-10-22T07:03:58Z

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2025-10-22T06:55:53Z

Thofficial: Created page with "{{!!|Kodi/XBMC Foundation does not provide any media or Kodi Box, Please refer [https://kodi.tv/article/in-defence-of-our-good-name/ here] to read more}}"

{{!!|Kodi/XBMC Foundation does not provide any media or Kodi Box, Please refer [https://kodi.tv/article/in-defence-of-our-good-name/ here] to read more}}

Special protocol

2025-10-21T10:22:36Z

Thofficial: Fix capitalization

{{mininav|[[Development]]}}
<section begin="intro" />The "Special Protocol" is Kodi's solution to platform dependent directories. Common directory names are assigned a <code>special://[name]</code> path which is passed around inside Kodi and then translated to the platform specific path before the operating system sees it.<section end="intro" />

== Available Paths ==
Below is a list of commonly used protocols. Further protocols for specific and limited uses can be found on GitHub.

{| class="prettytable"
|-
! Path
! Description
|-
| <code>'''library://music/'''</code>
| This path points to the Music Library folders and to the File Sources
|-
| <code>'''library://video/'''</code>
| This path points to the Video Library folders and to the File Sources
|-
|   * * * * *
|-
| <code>'''special://cdrips'''</code>
| This path contains the tracks from CDs you rip with Kodi. You will be asked to specify this directory the first time you rip a CD.
|-
| <code>'''special://database'''</code>
| This path contains the database files Kodi uses to store library info. Normally special://masterprofile/Database.
|-
| <code>'''special://home'''</code>
| Leads to the [[Kodi_data_folder]].
|-
| <code>'''special://home/addons'''</code>
| Directory where addons are installed after installation. Does not include default addons installed with {{kodi}}.
|-
| <code>'''special://home/media'''</code>
| Leads to the \media\ folder in the [[Kodi_data_folder]].
|-
| <code>'''special://home/media/Fonts'''</code>
| Directory where user defined fonts are located.
|-
| <code>'''special://logpath'''</code>
| This path points to the path where the [[log file]] is saved.
|-
| <code>'''special://masterprofile'''</code>
| Kodi's main configuration directory. Normally located at special://home/userdata, this directory contains global settings and sources, as well as any Kodi profile directories. Normally special://home/userdata
|-
| <code>'''special://musicartistsinfo'''</code>
| This path points to the [[Artist_information_folder]] if one has been set.
|-
| <code>'''special://musicplaylists'''</code>
| This path contains saved music playlists. Normally special://profile/playlists/music.
|-
| <code>'''special://profile/playlists'''</code>
| Parent folder of ''special://videoplaylists'' and ''special://musicplaylists'' and will allow access to the ''Mixed'' playlist folder
|-
| <code>'''special://profile/addon_data'''</code>
| This path leads to the addon_data folder located in the [[Userdata]] folder. It contains user modified settings for installed add-ons.
|-
| <code>'''special://profile'''</code>
| Kodi's currently active profile directory. This directory points at special://masterprofile/''profile_name'' (or special://masterprofile if no profile is in use) and contains per profile overrides for settings and sources.
|-
| <code>'''special://recordings'''</code>
| This path contains saved [[PVR]] recordings.
|-
| <code>'''special://screenshots'''</code>
| This path contains Kodi screen shots. You will be asked to specify this directory the first time you take a screen shot.
|-
| <code>'''special://skin'''</code>
| This path points to the currently active skin's root directory.
|-
| <code>'''special://subtitles'''</code>
| User defined custom subtitle path. Set it in Video Settings.
|-
| <code>'''special://temp'''</code>
| Kodi's temporary directory. This path is used to cache various data during normal usage. Unless you need the log, nothing in this directory is detrimental to Kodi's operation. Normally special://home/temp
|-
| <code>'''special://temp/fonts'''</code>
| A temporary font path where MKV fonts are extracted and temporarily stored.
|-
| <code>'''special://thumbnails'''</code>
| This path contains cached thumbnails. Normally special://masterprofile/Thumbnails
|-
| <code>'''special://userdata'''</code>
| Alias from special://masterprofile.
|-
| <code>'''special://videoplaylists'''</code>
| This path contains saved video playlists. Normally special://profile/playlists/video.
|-
| <code>'''special://xbmc'''</code>
| Kodi's installation root directory. This path is read-only contains the Kodi binary, support libraries and default configuration files, skins, scripts and plugins. Users should not modify files or install addons in this directory.
: {{Note|The special://xbmc/ path is still valid . special://kodi/ does '''not''' exist yet.}}
|-
| <code>'''special://xbmc/media/Fonts'''</code>
| Directory where Kodi bundled fonts files are located.
|-
| <code>'''special://xbmc/system'''</code>
| This path points to the System folder in Kodi's installation root directory.
|-
| <code>'''special://xbmcbinaddons'''</code>
| This path points to the addon folder in Kodi's installation root directory.
|-
|   * * * * *
|-
| <code>'''sources://music'''</code>
| This path points to the music source folders.
|-
| <code>'''sources://video'''</code>
| This path points to the video source folders.
|}

= Applying Special Protocols =
Special Protocols are used in the {{Kodi}} File Manager. The below images will guide you through the process.

<gallery mode="packed" widths="500px" heights="283px">
File:SettingsOverview-leia.png| '''Image 1'''- Access File Manager from the Settings page
File:SpecialProtocol01.jpg| '''Image 2'''- Select '''Add source'''
File:SpecialProtocol02.jpg| '''Image 3'''- Select the '''<none>''' entry
File:SpecialProtocol03.jpg| '''Image 4'''- Type in or paste the Special Protocol then select OK
File:SpecialProtocol04.jpg| '''Image 5'''- Once you confirm the protocol has been correctly entered, select OK
</gallery>

The newly added Special Protocol should now be available in the File Manager listing (image 2).

= Default OS mappings =
* Bulleted list item

== Android ==
* '''special://xbmc''' - /data/data/org.xbmc.kodi/cache/apk/assets/
* '''special://home''' - /sdcard/Android/data/org.xbmc.kodi/files/.kodi/
* '''special://temp''' - /sdcard/Android/data/org.xbmc.kodi/files/.kodi/temp/

== iOS ==
=== Apple TV 2 (black) ===
* '''special://xbmc''' - /private/var/stash/Applications/Kodi.frappliance/KodiData/KodiHome
* '''special://home''' - /private/var/mobile/Library/Preferences/Kodi
* '''special://temp''' - /private/var/mobile/Library/Preferences/Kodi/temp

=== iDevice ===
* '''special://xbmc''' - /Applications/Kodi.app/KodiData/KodiHome {{highlight|''<- Symbolic link, but the real path has some random characters in it.''}}
* '''special://home''' - /private/var/mobile/Library/Preferences/Kodi
* '''special://temp''' - private/var/mobile/Library/Preferences/Kodi/temp

== Linux ==
* '''special://xbmc''' - /usr/share/kodi when installed from a binary package (ie PPA, rpm, deb, etc). /usr/local/share/kodi when compiled (unless you specify an alternate prefix)
* '''special://home''' - /home/''[username]''/.kodi
:: {{Note|The '.', this directory is hidden so you may need to enable hidden files in your file manager to see it.}}

== Mac OS X ==
* '''special://xbmc''' - /Applications/Kodi.app/Contents/Resources/Kodi
* '''special://home''' - /Users/''[username]''/Library/Application Support/Kodi
* '''special://temp''' - /Users/''[username]''/.kodi/temp
:: {{Note|The '.', this directory is hidden so you need to enable hidden files to see it.}}

== webOS ==
* '''special://xbmc''' - /media/developer/apps/usr/palm/applications/org.xbmc.kodi
* '''special://home''' - /media/developer/apps/usr/palm/applications/org.xbmc.kodi/.kodi
* '''special://temp''' - /media/developer/apps/usr/palm/applications/org.xbmc.kodi/.kodi/temp

== Windows ==
This assumes your Windows install drive is C:. Replace as necessary.
* '''special://xbmc''' - C:\Program Files\Kodi
* '''special://xbmc''' - C:\Program Files (x86)\Kodi (Windows 64 bit)
* '''special://home''' - C:\Users\''[username]''\AppData\Roaming\Kodi

=== Portable Mode ===
In portable mode, Kodi is entirely self contained, so its install directory must be writable.
* '''special://xbmc''' - Where ever you installed Kodi (MUST be writable).
* '''special://home''' - special://xbmc/portable_data

= See also =
* [[Userdata]]
* [[Development]]
* [[Opening_Windows_and_Dialogs]]

{{top}}

{{updated|21}}

[[Category:Add-on development]]
[[Category:Skin development]]
[[Category:Development]]
[[Category:Advanced topics]]
[[Category:Karellen]]

Official Kodi Wiki - User contributions [en]

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Special protocol