User Manual¶

Everything you need to know to use Jinbocho — from adding your first book to managing a shared library with multiple members.

Sections¶

#	Section	What you'll find
1	Getting Started	Create your library, first book, invite members
2	Authentication	Login, sessions, security, belonging to multiple libraries
3	Managing Your Library	Add, edit, move, delete books — three methods, plus your wishlist
4	Locations	Rooms, bookcases, sections, shelves, position numbers
5	Book Details	Metadata, reading status, ratings, audit log, cover images
6	Search & Filters	Full-text search, filters by status/language/year, sorting
7	ISBN Scanning	Barcode scanner, plus AI Shelf Scan and Shelf Audit for whole shelves at once
8	Export & Import	CSV/JSON export, Goodreads import, full backup/restore
9	User Management	Members, roles (Admin/Editor/Viewer), invites, profiles
10	Reading Progress	Want to Read / Reading / Finished — tracking and stats
11	Mobile Experience	Responsive layout, touch gestures, add to home screen
12	Language & Appearance	Interface language and theme, per member
13	FAQ	Common questions answered
14	Troubleshooting	Login issues, scanning problems, performance tips
15	Book Presentation & AI	AI-generated book summaries and personalised recommendations
16	Loans	Lend books to a member or to anyone else, due dates, the On Loan page
17	Wishlist	Keep a priority list of books you want to add next
18	Kids Mode	Child accounts, reading sessions, journal, quizzes, reading paths, family challenges — independent of the AI module
19	Book Club	Shared reading cycles, discussion, voting, meetings, reading history — free in every edition, including Community

Quick Paths¶

I want to add my first book¶

→ Getting Started — walks you through the entire first-time setup

I want to scan a barcode¶

→ ISBN Scanning — the fastest way to add a book

I want to catalog a whole shelf in one go¶

→ ISBN Scanning → Shelf Scan — take one photo, AI reads every spine

I can't find a book in my library¶

→ Search & Filters — search by title, author, ISBN, or browse by location

I want to track what I've read¶

→ Reading Progress — statuses, history, and library stats

I want to invite someone to my library¶

→ User Management — roles, invites, and permissions

I belong to (or want to join) more than one library¶

→ Authentication → Multiple Libraries — switching, pending invites, per-library roles

I want to lend a book to someone¶

→ Loans — track who has it, since when, and when it's due back

I want to set up Kids Mode for my children¶

→ Kids Mode — child accounts, reading sessions, journal, quizzes, family challenges

I want to read a book together with the rest of the library¶

→ Book Club — start a reading cycle, discuss, vote on the next book

Something isn't working¶

→ Troubleshooting — common fixes, or FAQ for quick answers

What is Jinbocho?¶

Jinbocho is a home library management system that helps you and the people you share a home (or a collection) with keep track of physical books. Named after the famous book district in Tokyo, it lets you:

Catalogue every book with title, author, ISBN, and cover
Know exactly which room and shelf each book is on
Track reading progress, ratings, and personalised AI recommendations
Scan a single ISBN, or photograph a whole shelf and let AI read every spine at once
Search your entire collection instantly
Keep a wishlist of books you want to add next
Export your library as CSV or JSON, or import an existing Goodreads library
Lend books and keep track of who has them
Read a book together as a group with the free Book Club, and keep a history of it

Jinbocho runs in the browser — no installation needed. It works on phones, tablets, and computers. Every library can have multiple members with different permission levels, and a single person can belong to more than one library (e.g. their own and a partner's or a friend's) and switch between them.