Attach local posters and backgrounds to Kodi movies

The useful distinctions

• Local artwork belongs beside the movie file.
• The default long form is video-basename-arttype.extension.
• Short artwork names require separate movie folders and the matching content option.
• Long-name artwork takes priority when both forms exist.

Make ownership obvious

Artwork is part of a media bundle, so its filename should make the owner obvious even when the directory is viewed outside Kodi. Long names work well when a folder is copied into a flat staging area for maintenance. Keep the unmodified original image separately if you also create a resized display copy. That makes later redesigns possible without repeatedly editing a previously compressed derivative.

Avoid competing candidates

A directory containing both a generic poster.jpg and a filename-specific poster can be confusing to a person inspecting it. Pick one convention and document it for the collection. The long-name convention in this example makes the selected asset explicit. Use a visibly distinct temporary image during the pilot if you need to confirm which candidate is being used; do not infer the winner from two nearly identical covers.

Review the result in context

Check the movie’s title and playable path at the same time as the artwork. An attractive poster attached to the wrong identity is still a catalogue error. Also view the result in the actual skin you use, because a wide background and a portrait poster serve different display areas. Keeping both files beside the movie makes the arrangement understandable when the library is rebuilt later.

A focused way to proceed

1. Choose authorised poster and background images.
2. Name them with the video basename followed by -poster or -fanart.
3. Place them beside the movie and remove unintended duplicate candidates.
4. Scan a new title or refresh the intended item, then inspect the displayed artwork.

Worked example · synthetic

Use artwork you created or are authorised to store.

Harbour Lantern (2024).mkv
Harbour Lantern (2024)-poster.jpg
Harbour Lantern (2024)-fanart.jpg

Read the comparison

Correct local naming supplies candidates; the skin decides which artwork types it displays.

When to stop or ask for help

If a stale image remains, inspect the selected art for that item and review Kodi cache guidance before deleting caches wholesale.