Frequently Asked Questions

Foundations

What is RenamerX, exactly?

RenamerX is a local-first desktop app for file renaming and file organization. It reads supported files on your device, extracts meaningful fields, and turns them into consistent filenames you can review before apply.

Should I start with Batch Rename or Watch Folders?

Many users start with Batch Rename because it makes the review flow easier to learn. If you already know you need continuous intake, you can also begin with Watch Folders in Review First mode.

Does RenamerX upload my files to the cloud?

No, normal file understanding and rename suggestion generation are designed to happen locally after the required runtime resources are installed.

What does RenamerX need the internet for?

Mainly for first-launch resource downloads, checkout, license activation, and occasional license validation.

File Processing

Which file types are supported?

RenamerX supports a focused set of document, image, and video formats. See Supported File Types for the full list.

Can RenamerX rename scanned PDFs?

Sometimes, but results depend on whether the file contains usable text or enough recoverable context. Scanned documents are usually less reliable than text-rich PDFs.

Why does a preview sometimes fall back to a generic icon?

Preview support varies by file type and platform. A missing preview does not automatically mean the rename pipeline failed.

Will RenamerX rename files that are still downloading or copying?

RenamerX avoids temporary or incomplete files during intake instead of trying to rename them too early.

Batch Rename

Does importing files change them on disk immediately?

No. Import adds files to the workspace and queues processing. Disk writes happen only when you apply.

Can I edit a suggested name before applying it?

Yes. Editing a suggestion changes the workspace result only. The real file stays unchanged until apply.

What is the difference between Apply and Clear Batch Workspace?

Apply writes the rename or move. Clear Batch Workspace deletes the current Batch workspace records and is not a rollback action.

Can I undo changes after apply?

Yes. Undo is available for applied items in both Batch Rename and watch-folder results.

Watch Folders

What is the difference between Review First and Auto Apply?

Review First generates suggestions and waits for you to apply them. Auto Apply writes the change automatically after successful suggestion generation.

Does a paused watch folder lose its configuration?

No. Pausing stops monitoring, but the watch-folder configuration remains.

Should I enable subfolder watching by default?

Use subfolder watching when your intake structure is intentionally hierarchical. If the top-level folder alone is enough, keep the scope smaller.

Does editing a watch folder affect old results?

Yes, sometimes. Changing the source path, subfolder scope, or template clears non-applied watch-folder results so the workspace can be rebuilt consistently, while applied history is kept for undo.

Templates and Controlled Vocabulary

Can I use my own naming convention?

Yes. That is the purpose of Templates.

What is the difference between app language and template output language?

App language controls the RenamerX interface. Template output language controls how naming output is normalized in a specific template.

When should I use Controlled Vocabulary?

Use it when the same concept keeps appearing with too many spellings or labels. See Controlled Vocabulary.

Credits and License

How many free credits do I get?

The Free plan includes 50 AI credits per monthly cycle.

What actually consumes a credit?

A successful AI suggestion generation on the free plan. Import, apply, and undo do not consume credits by themselves.

What happens after I run out of free credits?

New AI work that still needs suggestion generation stops, but already suggested items can still be reviewed and applied. See Credits & License.

Is Watch Folders available on Free?

No. Watch Folder creation, start, and Auto Apply are Pro-gated capabilities.

What happens if I deactivate my license?

That device returns to Free behavior and loses access to Pro-only features until a valid license is activated again.

Privacy and Data

Does RenamerX keep processing local after setup?

Yes. After first-launch resources are installed, normal file understanding and rename generation are designed to stay on your device.

What gets downloaded on first launch?

RenamerX prepares the local AI and media-analysis resources it needs on first launch. See Installation and Local AI Runtime.