How it works
Learn how RenamerX works, including the main surfaces, review-first workflow, item statuses, and when files actually change on disk.
How it works
RenamerX uses a review-first file workflow:
- Bring files into a workspace.
- Extract meaningful signals locally.
- Turn those signals into structured naming fields.
- Build a suggested name from a template.
- Change the file on disk only when you explicitly apply, or when a validated watch-folder rule auto-applies.
RenamerX generates suggestions first and writes to disk later.
Start with the main surfaces
Most of the app can be understood through four surfaces:
| Surface | What it is for |
|---|---|
| Sidebar | Move between Batch Rename, Watch Folders, Templates, and Preferences. |
| Workspace header | Pick a template, add files or folders, search, filter, and run batch actions. |
| Results list | Review statuses, compare original and suggested names, retry failures, ignore items, and select items for apply or undo. |
| Preview and detail area | Inspect the currently selected file, its extracted context, and the suggestion before changing anything. |
In Watch Folders, the same review model appears inside each folder's results dialog rather than in the main page body.
The global workflow
1. Choose the naming rule
RenamerX starts with a template. The template decides which fields matter, their order, the separator, the date format, and whether organization logic is part of the final result.
2. Bring files into scope
Files enter the system in one of two ways:
- Batch Rename for one-off cleanup work.
- Watch Folders for background automation.
At intake time, RenamerX adds supported files to the workspace and tracks original path, current path, status, metadata, and suggested output.
3. Extract information locally
RenamerX reads what it can from the file on your machine.
Depending on the file type, that may include:
- Document text.
- Embedded metadata.
- Image metadata such as EXIF.
- Video metadata and generated visual summaries.
4. Generate structured fields
AI does not decide the final filename format on its own. It extracts structured values such as date, subject, title, type, identifier, organization, or project.
In practice:
- AI extracts meaning.
- Templates control output structure.
5. Review or automate the suggestion
In Review First flows, you inspect and adjust the result before applying it.
In Auto Apply watch-folder flows, RenamerX still goes through the same extraction and suggestion logic, but the validated rule writes the result to disk automatically after suggestion generation.
6. Apply or undo
When you apply, RenamerX performs real filesystem changes one item at a time. Undo is also a real filesystem action because it restores the previous path and name.
When the disk actually changes
This is one of the key ideas for new users.
| Action | Does the file on disk change? | What happens instead |
|---|---|---|
| Import files or folders | No | RenamerX adds supported files to the workspace and queues them for processing. |
| Extract content and generate suggestions | No | Metadata and suggested names are updated in the workspace only. |
| Edit a suggested filename manually | No | The suggestion changes in the workspace, not on disk. |
| Apply in Batch Rename | Yes | RenamerX renames, and optionally moves, the selected files. |
| Review First results in Watch Folders | No | Suggestions wait in the results dialog until you apply them. |
| Auto Apply in Watch Folders | Yes | A validated watch-folder rule writes the change automatically. |
| Undo | Yes | RenamerX restores the original path and name when possible. |
| Clear Batch Workspace | No | Batch workspace records are deleted, but previously applied files stay changed until you undo them separately. |
Statuses you will see
| Status | What it means |
|---|---|
| Pending | The file is in the workspace and waiting for processing. |
| Extracting | RenamerX is actively reading the file and building structured fields. |
| Suggested | A suggested name is ready for review or for a later apply step. |
| Applied | A rename or move has already been written to disk. |
| Failed | Processing or apply failed, and the item needs review or retry. |
| Cancelled | A queued job was stopped before it completed. |
| Ignored | The item was intentionally excluded from the current workflow. |
Why Review First is the default trust model
RenamerX is designed for high-trust file work, so the default path is:
- Suggest first.
- Review second.
- Apply third.
Once you trust a template on real files, you can keep using Batch Rename for one-off work or move into Watch Folders and decide whether Review First or Auto Apply fits that folder.