Batch Rename Files

Batch rename files using scripts/batch_rename.py. Always run in dry-run mode first to preview changes, then re-run with --execute to apply.

Quick start

python scripts/batch_rename.py <directory> -m <mode> [options]

Modes

Common options

Usage patterns

Add prefix/suffix

python scripts/batch_rename.py /path/to/files -m prefix --prefix "img_"
python scripts/batch_rename.py /path/to/files -m suffix --suffix "_backup"

Replace text

python scripts/batch_rename.py /path/to/files -m replace -p "old_text" -r "new_text"

Regex replace

python scripts/batch_rename.py /path/to/files -m regex -p "(\d+)" -r "v\1"

Sequential numbering

python scripts/batch_rename.py /path/to/files -m number --start 1 --padding 3
python scripts/batch_rename.py /path/to/files -m prefix_number --prefix "photo_" --start 1 --padding 2

Case conversion

python scripts/batch_rename.py /path/to/files -m replace -p "." -r "." -c lower

Filter by pattern

python scripts/batch_rename.py /path/to/files -m prefix --prefix "img_" --filter "\.jpg$"

Combine operations

python scripts/batch_rename.py /path/to/files -m replace -p " " -r "_" -c lower

Workflow

1. Run in dry-run mode (no --execute) to preview
2. Show the preview to the user for confirmation
3. Re-run with --execute to apply
4. Report results

Safety notes

• The script will not overwrite existing files without warning (OS error raised)
• Non-file entries (directories, symlinks) are automatically skipped
• Invalid regex patterns are caught and reported before any file access