Special protocol

The "Special Protocol" is Kodi's solution to platform dependent directories. Common directory names are assigned a special://[name] path which is passed around inside Kodi and then translated to the platform specific path before the operating system sees it.

Available Paths

Below is a list of commonly used protocols. Further protocols for specific and limited uses can be found on Github.

Path	Description
`library://music/`	This path points to the Music Library folders and to the file Sources
`library://video/`	This path points to the Video Library folders and to the file Sources
* * * * *
`special://cdrips`	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.
`special://database`	This path contains the database files Kodi uses to store library info. Normally special://masterprofile/Database.
`special://home`	Leads to the Kodi_data_folder.
`special://home/addons`	Directory where addons are installed after installation. Does not include default addons installed with Kodi.
`special://home/media`	Leads to the \media\ folder in the Kodi_data_folder.
`special://home/media/Fonts`	Directory where user defined fonts are located.
`special://logpath`	This path points to the path where the log file is saved.
`special://masterprofile`	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
`special://musicartistsinfo`	This path points to the Artist_information_folder if one has been set.
`special://musicplaylists`	This path contains saved music playlists. Normally special://profile/playlists/music.
`special://profile/playlists`	Parent folder of special://videoplaylists and special://musicplaylists and will allow access to the Mixed playlist folder
`special://profile/addon_data`	This path leads to the addon_data folder located in the Userdata folder. It contains user modified settings for installed add-ons.
`special://profile`	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.
`special://recordings`	This path contains saved PVR recordings.
`special://screenshots`	This path contains Kodi screen shots. You will be asked to specify this directory the first time you take a screen shot.
`special://skin`	This path points to the currently active skin's root directory.
`special://subtitles`	User defined custom subtitle path. Set it in Video Settings.
`special://temp`	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
`special://temp/fonts`	A temporary font path where MKV fonts are extracted and temporarily stored.
`special://thumbnails`	This path contains cached thumbnails. Normally special://masterprofile/Thumbnails
`special://userdata`	Alias from special://masterprofile.
`special://videoplaylists`	This path contains saved video playlists. Normally special://profile/playlists/video.
`special://xbmc`	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.
`special://xbmc/media/Fonts`	Directory where Kodi bundled fonts files are located.
`special://xbmc/system`	This path points to the System folder in Kodi's installation root directory.
`special://xbmcbinaddons`	This path points to the addon folder in Kodi's installation root directory.
* * * * *
`sources://music`	This path points to the music source folders.
`sources://video`	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.

Image 1- Access File Manager from the Settings page
Image 2- Select Add source
Image 3- Select the <none> entry
Image 4- Type in or paste the Special Protocol then select OK
Image 5- Once you confirm the protocol has been correctly entered, select OK

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 <- 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