Python libraries
XBMC Python comes with all the standard modules from Python 2.6 or later. See https://docs.python.org/2.6/library/ for reference.
Built-in modules
In addition to the standard libraries, Kodi Python uses a handful of custom modules to expose Kodi functionality to Python.
Up to date documentation about these modules can be found at http://mirrors.kodi.tv/docs/python-docs/
Module | Description |
xbmc | Offers classes and functions that provide information about the media currently playing and that allow manipulation of the media player (such as starting a new song). You can also find system information using the functions available in this library. |
xbmcgui | Offers classes and functions that manipulate the Graphical User Interface through windows, dialogs, and various control widgets. |
xbmcplugin | Offers classes and functions that allow a developer to present information through XBMC's standard menu structure. While plugins don't have the same flexibility as scripts, they boast significantly quicker development time and a more consistent user experience. |
xbmcaddon | Offers classes and functions that manipulate the add-on settings, information and localization. |
xbmcvfs | Offers classes and functions offers acces to the Virtual File Server (VFS) which you can use to manipulate files and folders. |
Third-party modules
Numerous python modules are already packages as add-ons that can be imported by other add-on. See Category:Add-on_libraries/modules for a list of available modules. To use any of these modules with your add-on, add the relevant line to Addon.xml
Installing additional modules
Additional modules may be installed by simply adding the module to the root folder of your add-on.
A common way to organized third-party modules that are not part of add-on source code itself, is to add a lib
directory and place an __init__.py
file and other third-party modules inside it. These modules may then normally be imported using from lib import somemodule
.