Smart Rename

Smart Rename reads your files like you do and generates descriptive filenames automatically. Instead of IMG_4532.jpg, you get golden-gate-bridge-sunset.jpg. Instead of scan001.pdf, you get 2024-03-15-amazon-invoice-156.99.pdf.

Use Smart Rename when you need quick, descriptive names without strict structure. For consistent naming patterns across similar documents, see Presets.

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How It Works#

Smart Rename analyzes your files and generates names based on what it finds.

Content Analysis#

NameQuick reads the actual content of your files—not just the filename or metadata.

For documents:

• Reads the full text
• Recognizes document structure (headers, letterheads, signatures)
• Identifies key details: dates, amounts, reference numbers, parties
• Understands purpose: invoice, receipt, contract, memo

For images:

• Recognizes landmarks, locations, and scenes
• Identifies brands, products, and logos
• Detects activities, events, and subjects
• Recognizes public figures (cannot identify private individuals)

For spreadsheets:

• Reads column headers and data patterns
• Identifies categories and date ranges
• Understands the dataset's purpose

For audio/video:

• Uses transcription when available
• Falls back to file metadata otherwise

Name Generation#

Based on what it finds, NameQuick generates a clear, searchable filename. Dates, subjects, amounts, and document types are combined into a name that helps you find the file later.

The AI picks what's most relevant—you don't have to specify what to extract.

Optional: Metadata Generation#

Smart Rename can also generate Finder metadata alongside the filename:

• Finder Tags: AI-suggested tags for organization
• Finder Comments: Searchable descriptions in the Get Info panel

Enable this in Settings → Processing.

Note: NameQuick cannot set Finder color labels, file creation/modification dates, or EXIF metadata.

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Customize Output Names#

Prefix & Suffix#

Add consistent text before or after AI-generated names:

• Prefix: Text added before the name (e.g., project-)
• Suffix: Text added after the name (e.g., -final)
• Separator: Character between parts (default: _)

Configure globally in Settings → Output, or per-folder by right-clicking a watch folder.

Example: With prefix 2024-receipts- and the AI generates amazon-order:

2024-receipts-amazon-order.pdf

Placeholders#

Use placeholders in prefixes and suffixes to insert dynamic values:

Date & Time

File Information

Numbering

Example: Prefix {date}-{parent}- with a file in Receipts/ folder:

2025-01-15-Receipts-amazon-order.pdf

Date Format Presets#

Choose your preferred date format in Settings → Output:

Or use custom formats with {date:format} syntax (e.g., {date:MMM-yyyy} → Jan-2025).

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Filename Filters#

Only rename files that match specific patterns:

• Prefix filter: Only rename files starting with this text
• Suffix filter: Only rename files ending with this text (before extension)

Configure in Settings → Processing.

Example: Set prefix filter to IMG_ to only rename camera imports, leaving other files untouched.

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Clean Filenames#

Enable Clean Filenames in Settings to automatically transliterate non-ASCII characters for maximum compatibility:

• ä → a
• é → e
• ñ → n
• ø → o

Useful when sharing files across different systems or uploading to services that don't handle special characters well.

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Supported File Types#

NameQuick works with 30+ file formats across images, documents, audio, and video. PDFs are processed with OCR when needed, so scanned documents work too.

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AI Providers#

NameQuick offers two ways to access AI:

Managed (Credits)#

Use our hosted AI with no setup required. Purchase credits and start immediately—no API keys needed.

BYOK (Bring Your Own Key)#

Use your own API key from OpenAI, Anthropic (Claude), or Google (Gemini). Keys are stored securely in your macOS Keychain.

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Using Smart Rename#

Select and Process#

1. Add a folder in the sidebar (click + next to Folders)
2. Select the files you want to rename
3. Press Play to generate names

Quick Access#

• Keyboard shortcut: Press ⌘⌥S from anywhere in Finder to rename selected files
• Drag & drop: Drop files directly into the NameQuick window

Review and Confirm#

NameQuick shows you the proposed names before applying them. Review the suggestions, adjust if needed, then confirm. You can always undo.

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Smart Rename vs Presets#

Both use AI, but they solve different problems:

When to Use Smart Rename#

• You want descriptive filenames without defining a structure
• Cleaning up messy filenames quickly

When to Use Presets#

• Processing many similar documents (invoices, receipts, contracts)
• Need consistent naming across files
• Want specific fields in a specific order
• Building automated workflows

Tip: Start with Smart Rename to see what the AI extracts. If you find yourself wanting the same fields every time, create a Preset with those fields defined.

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Automate with Watch Folders#

Want Smart Rename to run automatically when files appear in a folder?

1. Add a Watch Folder in the sidebar
2. Toggle Auto on
3. Select Smart Rename as the processing mode

New files are processed automatically as they arrive. Combine with Rules to also organize files after renaming.