# File Naming

> Analyze file content and propose intelligent renames using context-aware naming conventions. Date-prefixed for transactional/periodic documents, content-first for creative works. Use for organizing files, cleaning up downloads, or standardizing filenames.

- Skill: `nweii/file-naming` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds add nweii/file-naming`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/nweii/file-naming/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: nweii (https://skillmd.com/u/nweii)
- Updated: 2026-09-09
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/nweii/file-naming

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# Rename Files

Analyze files and propose intelligent renames based on content type and metadata. Provide: a single file path, list of file paths, or folder path.

## Naming Conventions

### Transactional/Periodic Documents

**Repetitive transactions** (orders, receipts, invoices, appointments):

- Format: `YYYY-MM-DD Category Type - Details.extension`
- Example: `2025-06-13 Amazon Order 123-456 - USB Cable.pdf`
- Include: dates, entity names, order/invoice numbers, item descriptions

**Periodic documents** (statements, bills, forms):

- Format: `YYYY-MM Type - Entity.extension`
- Example: `2025-06 Bank Statement - Chase Checking.pdf`
- Example: `2023-12 W2 - Acme Corp.pdf`

**Ongoing agreements** (contracts, policies):

- Format: `YYYY-MM Type - Entity.extension`
- Example: `2025-01 Service Agreement - Internet Provider.pdf`

**Appointments/visits**:

- Format: `YYYY-MM-DD Type - Provider/Location.extension`
- Example: `2025-06-13 Dental Visit - Dr Johnson.pdf`

### Creative/Project Files

**Date as supplementary** (photos, projects, creative work):

- Format: `Description - Date.extension` or `Description - Context Date.extension`
- Example: `Vacation Photos - Hawaii 2025.jpg`
- Example: `Website Redesign - Draft 2025-06.pdf`
- Example: `Company Logo 2025.png`

**Evergreen content** (manuals, references):

- Format: `Type - Name/Description.extension`
- Example: `Product Manual - Widget Pro.pdf`

## Key Principles

- **ISO 8601 dates**: YYYY-MM-DD (specific dates) or YYYY-MM (monthly/annual)
- **Date placement**: Start for time-critical sorting; end for contextual info
- **Remove**: Technical metadata (1080p, WEB-DL), problematic characters (`:*?"<>|#%&`)
- **Keep**: Scannable and sortable filenames

## Process

1. Analyze files using OCR, text extraction, vision analysis, filename patterns
2. Build the complete rename plan before taking any action
3. Validate the plan: if any file cannot be mapped to a destination name, stop and report — do not proceed with partial results
4. Validate the plan: confirm no two files share a destination name — if any collision exists, stop and report
5. Present preview table: "Original Filename" | "New Filename" (show up to 15 files if many present; note any that couldn't be analyzed)
6. Wait for confirmation before executing
7. Execute using no-clobber semantics — never overwrite an existing file; if a collision occurs at execution time, halt immediately

If content unclear: make best guess from filename, clean up existing name, or leave unchanged with note.

**For TV show files**, see [references/tv-episodes.md](references/tv-episodes.md) for Plex/media manager naming conventions.