nix/BOOKS_PAPERS_MIGRATION_PLAN.md

Migration Plan: Move books and papers to flat directory

Current State

• Books location: /data/desk/home.h.doc/books
• Papers location: /data/desk/home.h.doc/papers
• Current syncthing path: ~/doc/readings → /home/h/doc/readings
• Zotero: Currently active, will be kept during/after migration
• Future Papis: Will use same files once consolidated

Decision Summary

• Target path: /data/desk/home.h.doc/readings (single flat directory)
• Organization: Completely flat (no subdirectories) - use Papis/Zotero tags for categorization
• Zotero: Keep active during/after migration
• Rebuild timing: After files are moved (safer - syncthing won't sync while moving)

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Implementation Steps

Step 1: Update syncthing config (andromache)

File: hosts/andromache/default.nix

Change the syncthing folder path from:

path = "/home/h/doc/readings";

To:

path = "/data/desk/home.h.doc/readings";

Step 2: Rebuild andromache

sudo nixos-rebuild switch --flake /home/h/nix

This applies the new syncthing configuration.

Step 3: Prepare target directory

# Create the target directory (in case it doesn't exist)
mkdir -p /data/desk/home.h.doc/readings

Step 4: Move files (EXECUTE THIS MANUALLY)

Choose one method:

Method A: Move (removes original directories)

mv /data/desk/home.h.doc/books/* /data/desk/home.h.doc/readings/
mv /data/desk/home.h.doc/papers/* /data/desk/home.h.doc/readings/
rmdir /data/desk/home.h.doc/books /data/desk/home.h.doc/papers

Method B: Copy (keeps original directories as backup)

cp -r /data/desk/home.h.doc/books/* /data/desk/home.h.doc/readings/
cp -r /data/desk/home.h.doc/papers/* /data/desk/home.h.doc/readings/

Step 5: Configure Boox to sync new path

On your Boox device, update the Syncthing folder to sync:

• Path: Choose where you want the files (e.g., /sdcard/Books/readings or /sdcard/Documents/readings)
• Accept connection from andromache when prompted

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Post-Migration Verification

1. Verify syncthing on andromache

• Open http://localhost:8384
• Confirm readings folder points to /data/desk/home.h.doc/readings
• Check that files are being synced to Boox

2. Verify Boox receives files

• Check that files from new directory appear on Boox
• Confirm readings folder is active on Boox

3. Verify Zotero

• Ensure Zotero can still access files at new location
• Check that tags/categorization still work
• Verify PDFs open correctly from Zotero library

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Future Work: Papis Migration

When ready to migrate to Papis:

1. Install Papis: nix-shell -p papis
2. Configure Papis to use: /data/desk/home.h.doc/readings
3. Import from Zotero or start fresh
4. Both Zotero and Papis can coexist during transition
5. Gradually migrate to Papis, then retire Zotero

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Rollback Plan

If anything goes wrong:

Option 1: Revert syncthing config

# In hosts/andromache/default.nix, change back to:
path = "/home/h/doc/readings";

# Rebuild:
sudo nixos-rebuild switch --flake /home/h/nix

Option 2: Restore original directories

If Method A (move) was used:

mkdir -p /data/desk/home.h.doc/books /data/desk/home.h.doc/papers
# You'll need to manually move files back from readings/

If Method B (copy) was used:

# Original directories still exist as backups at:
/data/desk/home.h.doc/books
/data/desk/home.h.doc/papers

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Session Checklist

• Update syncthing config in andromache
• Rebuild andromache
• Create target directory
• Move files (choose method: move or copy)
• Configure Boox folder path
• Verify syncthing sync
• Verify Zotero access
• (Future) Install and configure Papis

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Notes

• File conflicts: If books and papers have files with the same name, the moved file will overwrite (from books/ processed first, then papers/). Consider checking beforehand.

• Zotero database: No changes needed - Zotero tracks files by absolute path, which won't change.

• Boox folder naming: The Boox folder name can be anything you want (doesn't have to be "readings"). Use something descriptive for your device like "E-reader" or "Boox".