Build a Kodi smart playlist from meaningful library rules

The useful distinctions

• Video smart playlists are created through Videos, Playlists, New Smart Playlist.
• A smart playlist selects one media type.
• Each rule combines a field, operator and value.
• All and one-or-more matching produce different result sets.

Write the question first

A useful smart playlist begins as a question you can answer about the catalogue: which unwatched workshop films are tagged for a weekend session? Writing the question first prevents a long rule list assembled from whatever fields happen to be available. Decide which condition is essential and which is optional. The difference between every condition and any condition should be clear before touching the matching control.

Test positive and negative cases

Choose one item that should appear and one that should stay out. If both appear, inspect the rule combination before adding more conditions. If neither appears, check the metadata values used in the catalogue rather than assuming the playlist is broken. A spelling difference in a tag or a missing field can change the result even when the underlying file plays normally.

Keep the list explainable

Use a name that describes the actual rules, not a vague label such as Good videos. Limit the initial rule count so another person can understand why a title is included. Revisit the list after adding a new qualifying title: the expected automatic inclusion is the point of using rules. Preserve the playlist definition with the Kodi backup so the browsing aid can be recreated without rebuilding it from memory.

A focused way to proceed

1. Open Videos, Playlists and New Smart Playlist.
2. Select Movies and enter a descriptive name.
3. Add the rules that express the intended collection.
4. Choose All of the rules when every condition must hold.
5. Set a useful order, save and inspect included and excluded sample items.

Worked example · synthetic

Type: Movies
Name: Unwatched workshop shortlist
Rule 1: Tag is Workshop
Rule 2: Play count is 0
Items must match: All of the rules
Order: Title ascending

Read the comparison

Smart playlists query existing library metadata; they do not discover unscanned files or create missing tags.

When to stop or ask for help

If a title is absent, inspect its stored field values and media type before changing the source scanner.