The Kodi community already has a major new release on the horizon: Branch 22, codenamed "Piers"This is an early build that targets deep changes in playback, library, and performance, but It is not yet designed for everyday use in main teams.
Under that nickname, the project signs a more ambitious advance than usual, with improvements to Blu-ray, PVR, search, interface, and platform support. Still, being a Alpha intended for testing, it's wise to be cautious if you rely on Kodi for your living room.
Kodi 22 “Piers” highlights
The player integrates ffmpeg 7, a leap that expands support for modern codecs and improves audio and video processing. This should translate into fewer errors and greater fluency on different devices.
The library section receives a redesign of "Movie Versions" and "Extras", making it more convenient to manage extended versions, deleted scenes and additional content, now with better organized metadata and covers.
Another expected novelty is the automatic cleaning of cached images, which intelligently frees up space without the user having to intervene. In parallel, refinements have been made search and navigation for large libraries.
Those who archive physical discs notice a key advance: Better support for Blu-ray with multiple episodes, with independent progress by chapter, artwork and metadata as if they were separate elements of the media library.
El episode selection menu It has also been thoroughly revised to make the choice clear and intuitive; in addition, it makes it easier to import and export of libraries that include lossless Blu-ray discs.
PVR and live TV: more order and control
The PVR system is progressing with community-requested features: "Recently Added Channels" section, new supplier window, custom timers and more comfortable management of channel groups.
The saved searches and the EPG guide gain precision (up to the minute if the skin supports it), while the recordings and programming improve in stability and response times.
For those using Kodi as their primary video recorder, these changes bring greater agility and less friction in daily use, with a cleaner and more responsive interface.
Performance, connectivity and platforms
The interface has been optimized for consume less memory and move more fluidly, something that those who use will appreciate Android TV Box or a Raspberry Pi as a Chromecast, as well as modest equipment.
In graphics, they have been fine-tuned OpenGL and OpenGLES to handle large textures and demanding scenarios, with improvements that translate into smoother transitions and lower GPU load.
The play area adds support for shaders and a navigation with keyboard and mouse more precise, offering filters and effects that enhance the experience with emulators on Raspberry Pi.
In connectivity, SMB gets a boost: better support for SMB2.0, corrections when accessing Windows servers without passwords and much faster listings in large directories.
Windows incorporates ARM64 support, audio XAudio2 on desktop and improvements such as Video Super Resolution with 10-bit SDR on Nvidia/Intel and HDR10 on compatible devices. On Android, Kodi aligns with Android 15, improves the main screen channels and allows share files with other apps (requires at least Android 7.0).
Linux enables HDR in OpenGL and Wayland in compatible composers, and localization details are also adjusted. LG webOS debuts unified multimedia pipeline. In addition, it is updated Python 3.13 and peripherals such as OSMC Remote, adapters are polished Pulse-Eight CEC y Flirc.
Development status and known issues
It is worth remembering that we are facing an Alpha version. There may be crashes, loss of compatibility with some add-ons and unexpected behaviors, so it is not advisable to install it on your main media center.
Known bugs include: Problems scanning new content when local NFO files exist and unnecessary rescans on certain file systems with timestamps in milliseconds. The team invites report issues on GitHub to speed up its correction.
If you are interested in trying without surprises, do it first. a security copy from your library and consider installing on a second device or independent profile, avoiding affecting your stable environment.
How to test Kodi Alpha 22 "Piers"?
Access is direct from the official website, on the channel of had it released. You can install over your current version if you want to keep data, although not ideal in critical environments.
- Go to the Kodi website and click on the Download button.
- Choose your platform (Windows, Android, Linux, etc.) and open the Prerelease tab.
- Download the build Alpha for "Piers" that corresponds to your system (e.g., 64-bit on Windows).
- Run the installer; if you update on top, your data will be kept unless mistaken.
Remember that the goal of these builds is test and help polish the final version. If you're looking for complete stability, the most sensible thing to do is stay on the stable branch until new notice.
quick questions
What does it mean to be an Alpha?
implies that is in active development, could fail and its goal is to receive testing and feedback before the stable release.
Is it worth installing it now?
Only if you want try out the new features as soon as possible and you accept the possible instability; otherwise, it's better to wait.
Why “Piers”?
The name is a tribute to a key collaborator of the Kodi project, remembering his contributions over the years.
"Piers" aims to be a delivery with Tangible improvements in playback, library, PVR, and performance, in addition to adding valuable adjustments per platform; now, since this is an Alpha, it's time to try it wisely and wait for the stable one if your priority is absolute reliability.
