Merged entries

A merged entry is one title from several sources: one row in the Library and one chapter list. A chapter the first source lacks comes from the next one, so a title keeps working when a source falls behind, and if a source's extension is removed, the other sources take over.

Merged entries are experimental. Turn them on in More > Settings > Experimental > Merged entries.

Merging#

Any of these merges entries. Each source stays in your library as a whole entry of its own: its chapters, downloads and update checks do not change.

From an entry: open its menu and tap Merge with.... Saikou searches every source for the title. Tap a result and confirm with Merge. An entry that is not in your library yet is added.
From the Library: long press an entry, tap one or more others, then choose Merge in the bar's menu. Pick the main entry. The entries' chapters are preferred in the order you selected them.
While adding a title: when Saikou asks whether a title is already in your library, pick the entry and tap Merge. The entry in your library stays the main one.

The main entry stands for the title: its cover, details, reading mode and tracking.

Chapters#

The chapter list shows each chapter number once, from the first source in the order that has it. A source whose extension is not installed comes last. Each row names its source. A chapter with no recognised number is always listed.

By source is not offered as a sort, because each source numbers its own list. A merged entry sorts by chapter number.
A small mark on a row means another source's copy of that chapter is downloaded. With Downloaded only on, the reader uses that copy.
A chapter read on one source counts as read on all of them, and marking a chapter unread does the same. Bookmarks and the page you reached stay with each copy.
The reader moves from one source to the next without a break.

Merged sources#

Tap the source line on the entry's page, such as Source A + 1 more, to open Merged sources.

Drag a source by its handle to set the order. The first source that has a chapter wins it.
A source's menu has Use as main entry, Check for updates and Remove. With Check for updates off, library updates skip that source.
Show every copy lists each source's copy of every chapter, for when the one shown is broken.
Unmerge puts the sources back as separate entries. Chapters read while merged stay read.

Everywhere else#

Library: one row, in every category any of its sources is in. The unread badge counts each chapter number once. Move to category changes every source's categories.
Updates and Upcoming: one row per chapter or title, under the main entry's title.
Statistics: a merged entry counts as one title.
Downloads: each chapter downloads to its own source's folder. Automatic downloads take the copy the list shows.
Remove from library: removes every source of the entry, after asking.
Migrate: migrating a merged entry replaces its main entry and keeps the rest merged.

Sync and backups#

Merges sync between your devices, and every device needs a version of Saikou that knows the new sync format. An older device says Update Saikou on this device to keep syncing.

A backup keeps every entry, its chapters and its read marks, but not the merge. After restoring, the sources are separate entries until you merge them again.

A backup from TachiyomiSY keeps its merged entries when restored here, in the same source order. Saikou shows them with its own rule: one copy of each chapter number, by source order. A merge set to show every chapter in TachiyomiSY comes in with Show every copy on. The restore report says how many came in, names any source the backup did not hold, and, if the Merged entries switch is off, says they show as one once you turn it on.

Turning it off#

With the switch off, every source shows as its own entry and the Merge actions are gone. Your merges are kept: turning the switch back on brings them back, and they still sync. The setting stays on this device and is not in backups.