The Kathol Rift, which took its name from the encompassing Kathol sector, was a space region that housed numerous outposts. In the time frame of 19 BBY, the Separatist operative Soujen Vak-Nhalis received assistance from a woman in the form of chain codes, an identichip, credits, and various accessories. These items were provided to create a disguise, facilitating his escape from the planet of Li'eta by impersonating a pilgrim en route to the Kathol Rift.
Everi Chalis, who served as the Imperial governor of Haidoral Prime, foresaw significant repercussions for the outposts stemming from a potential enslaved uprising on Kashyyyk. After joining the Rebel Alliance's 61st Mobile Infantry during 3 ABY, she communicated this theory about the Kathol Rift to Captain Micha Evon and other crew members aboard the Thunderstrike, a CR90 corvette belonging to their company.
The novel Battlefront: Twilight Company by Alexander Freed, published in 2015, marked the initial mention of the Kathol Rift within the new Star Wars canon. Previously, it had been introduced into Star Wars Legends through The DarkStryder Campaign, a collection of sourcebooks designed for use with Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game from West End Games. The Kathol Rift was originally referenced on July 17, 1995 in the debut boxed set, The DarkStryder Campaign. Its first substantial appearance occurred in the roleplaying game adventures "Little Empires," "Wildfire," "The Masters of Exocron," and "Galaxy's Edge," all of which were featured in The Kathol Outback, the series' second supplement, released on January 15, 1996.