How to Create a Kodi Addon from Scratch: Complete Guide 2026

Kodi has become one of the most popular media center platforms, and creating your own Kodi addon can be a rewarding experience. Whether you want to build a personal utility or share it with the community, this guide will walk you through the entire process of creating a Kodi addon from scratch in 2026.

What is a Kodi Addon?

A Kodi addon is a plugin that extends the functionality of the Kodi media center. These addons can provide access to streaming content, utilities, skins, and much more. Built using Python and XML, Kodi addons integrate seamlessly with the platform’s interface.

Prerequisites Before You Start

Before diving into addon development, ensure you have the following:

• Python 3.x installed on your system
• Kodi installed (preferably the latest version)
• A text editor (Visual Studio Code, Sublime Text, or similar)
• Basic understanding of Python programming
• Familiarity with XML syntax
• Access to the Kodi Developer Wiki for reference

Step 1: Setting Up Your Development Environment

Creating a proper development environment is crucial for smooth addon development.

Install Kodi on Your Development Machine
Download and install the latest version of Kodi from the official website. For development purposes, consider using the Kodi Matrix or later versions, as they offer better debugging tools.

Create a Dedicated Folder Structure
Organize your project with a clear folder structure:

MyAddon/
├── addon.xml
├── addon.py
├── resources/
│   ├── lib/
│   └── language/
└── icon.png

Enable Debug Mode in Kodi
Navigate to Settings > System > Logging and enable debugging. This will help you identify errors during development.

Step 2: Understanding the Addon Structure

Every Kodi addon follows a specific structure. The two most important files are:

addon.xml
This file contains metadata about your addon, including its ID, name, version, and dependencies.

addon.py
This is the main Python script that contains the logic of your addon.

Step 3: Creating Your First Addon.xml

The addon.xml file is the heart of your Kodi addon. Here’s a basic template:

<addon id="plugin.example.myaddon"
       name="My First Addon"
       version="1.0.0"
       provider-name="Your Name">

    <requires>
        <import addon="xbmc.python" version="3.0.0"/>
    </requires>

    <extension point="xbmc.python.pluginsource" 
               library="addon.py">
        <provides>video</provides>
    </extension>

    <extension point="xbmc.addon.metadata">
        <summary lang="en">A simple Kodi addon</summary>
        <description lang="en">This is my first Kodi addon</description>
        <disclaimer lang="en">For educational purposes only</disclaimer>
        <language>en</language>
        <platform>all</platform>
        <license>MIT</license>
        <forum>https://forum.kodi.tv</forum>
    </extension>
</addon>

Step 4: Writing Your Main Python Script

Now let’s create the addon.py file that will power your addon:

import xbmc, xbmcgui, xbmcplugin
import sys
import os

def get_url(**kwargs):
    return '{0}?{1}'.format(sys.argv[0], urllib.parse.urlencode(kwargs))

def list_categories():
    url = get_url(action='listing')
    li = xbmcgui.ListItem('My Content', iconImage='DefaultFolder.png')
    xbmcplugin.addDirectoryItem(int(sys.argv[1]), url, li, isFolder=True)
    xbmcplugin.endOfDirectory(int(sys.argv[1]))

def show_content():
    for i in range(1, 11):
        url = get_url(action='play', video=i)
        li = xbmcgui.ListItem('Video ' + str(i), iconImage='DefaultVideo.png')
        xbmcplugin.addDirectoryItem(int(sys.argv[1]), url, li)
    xbmcplugin.endOfDirectory(int(sys.argv[1]))

def play_video(video_id):
    video_url = f'https://example.com/video{video_id}.mp4'
    li = xbmcgui.ListItem(path=video_url)
    xbmcplugin.setResolvedUrl(int(sys.argv[1]), True, li)

if __name__ == '__main__':
    params = dict(urllib.parse.parse_qsl(sys.argv[2][1:]))
    action = params.get('action', None)

    if action is None:
        list_categories()
    elif action == 'listing':
        show_content()
    elif action == 'play':
        play_video(params.get('video'))

Step 5: Testing Your Addon

Load Your Addon in Kodi
1. Open Kodi and navigate to Settings
2. Go to System > Add-ons > Install from zip file
3. Select your addon folder
4. Kodi will install and enable your addon

Debug Common Issues
– Check the Kodi log file for errors
– Ensure all file paths are correct
– Verify your Python syntax
– Test on different Kodi versions if possible

Step 6: Adding Advanced Features

Once you have the basic structure working, you can enhance your addon with additional features:

Add Settings to Your Addon
Create a resources/settings.xml file to allow users to configure your addon:

<settings>
    <category label="General">
        <setting id="username" type="text" label="Username"/>
        <setting id="password" type="password" label="Password"/>
    </category>
</settings>

Implement Authentication
Add login functionality to access protected content:

def authenticate():
    username = __settings__.getSetting('username')
    password = __settings__.getSetting('password')
    # Add your authentication logic here

Add Search Functionality
Implement a search feature to help users find specific content:

def search(query):
    # Add your search implementation
    pass

Step 7: Packaging and Distribution

Create a Zip File
Package your addon by creating a zip file of your addon folder. Ensure the folder structure remains intact.

Submit to Kodi Repository
To share your addon with the community:
1. Create a GitHub repository for your addon
2. Follow the Kodi repository submission guidelines
3. Include proper documentation and screenshots
4. Test thoroughly before submission

How to Install a Kodi Addon

1. Download the Addon
2. Obtain the addon zip file from a trusted source
3. Ensure it’s compatible with your Kodi version
4. Install from Zip File
5. Open Kodi and navigate to Settings
6. Click on Add-ons
7. Select “Install from zip file”
8. Browse to the location of your downloaded zip file
9. Select the zip file to begin installation
10. Install from Repository
11. Open Kodi and go to Settings
12. Select “File Manager” and add the repository source
13. Return to Add-ons and select “Install from repository”
14. Find your addon in the appropriate category
15. Click “Install” to add it to Kodi

Best Practices for Kodi Addon Development

Follow Kodi’s Guidelines
Always adhere to Kodi’s official development guidelines to ensure your addon is accepted into repositories.

Optimize Performance
– Use efficient coding practices
– Implement proper error handling
– Cache data when appropriate
– Minimize external API calls

Ensure Security
– Validate all user inputs
– Use HTTPS for external requests
– Avoid storing sensitive data in plain text
– Regularly update dependencies

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Addon Doesn’t Appear in Kodi
– Check the addon.xml syntax
– Verify the folder structure
– Ensure proper permissions on files
– Check Kodi’s log for specific error messages

Python Errors
– Verify Python version compatibility
– Check for missing imports
– Review your code for syntax errors
– Test with debug mode enabled

Content Not Loading
– Verify API endpoints are accessible
– Check for network connectivity issues
– Validate authentication credentials
– Test with different content sources

Conclusion

Creating a Kodi addon from scratch may seem daunting at first, but with this comprehensive guide, you have all the tools needed to start your development journey. Remember to start simple, test thoroughly, and gradually add more complex features as you become more comfortable with the Kodi development environment.

The Kodi community is welcoming and supportive, so don’t hesitate to seek help on forums or contribute your addon for others to enjoy. Happy coding!