Bulk Rename Py is a Python application for renaming files in bulk.
It provides a wide range of features for conveniently renaming large numbers of files, including instant previews, an undo function, and support for freely combinable naming patterns.
- Python: >= 3.13
- Dependencies: see
requirements.txt
- AUR (Linux): Python and dependencies are provided by the system package manager
- Windows: All required runtime files are included in the release archive
- Linux (tested on Arch Linux)
- Windows (tested on Windows 11)
The application is available in the Arch User Repository and can be installed using your preferred AUR helper, for example:
yay -S bulk-rename-pyThe latest release provides a .zip archive containing a Windows executable along with all required runtime files.
Clone the repository and set up a Python virtual environment:
git clone https://github.com/codemorra/bulk-rename-py.git
cd bulk-rename-py
python -m venv .venv
source .venv/bin/activate
pip install --upgrade pip
pip install -r requirements.txt
python src/bulk_rename_py.pyThis step is only required for manual installations. AUR installations already include a system-wide desktop entry.
-
Copy the provided
.desktopfile from the repository to the appropriate directory:cp packaging/linux/bulk-rename-py.desktop ~/.local/share/applications/ -
Copy the icon files to the corresponding hicolor directories:
for s in 16 32 64 128 256 512; do install -Dm644 assets/icons/png/bulk-rename-py_${s}.png ~/.local/share/icons/hicolor/${s}x${s}/apps/bulk-rename-py.png done
-
Open the copied file (
~/.local/share/applications/bulk-rename-py.desktop) and adjust Exec and TryExec to your local installation path, for example:Exec='<PATH_TO_REPOSITORY>/.venv/bin/python3' '<PATH_TO_REPOSITORY>/src/bulk_rename_py.py' TryExec=<PATH_TO_REPOSITORY>/.venv/bin/python3
-
Make the file executable:
chmod +x ~/.local/share/applications/bulk-rename-py.desktopThe application should now appear in the application menu.
Clone the repository and set up a Python virtual environment:
git clone https://github.com/codemorra/bulk-rename-py.git
cd bulk-rename-py
python -m venv .venv
.venv\Scripts\activate
pip install --upgrade pip
pip install -r requirements.txt
python src\bulk_rename_py.py-
Right-click on the desktop → New → Shortcut
- Target:
"<PATH_TO_REPOSITORY>\.venv\Scripts\pythonw.exe" "<PATH_TO_REPOSITORY>\src\bulk_rename_py.py"
- Target:
-
Right-click the shortcut → Properties → Change Icon...
- Select icon:
<PATH_TO_REPOSITORY>\assets\icons\bulk-rename-py.ico
- Select icon:
You can check for available updates in the About dialog. If an update is available, it will be indicated next to the version number.
When installed via the AUR, updates are handled automatically by the package manager.
On Windows, the latest release can be downloaded as a .zip archive from the Releases section.
For manual installations, updates can be applied as follows:
git pull
pip install -r requirements.txt --upgrade- Independent editing of filenames and file extensions
- Flexible replacement of entire names or selected parts
- Preview-based workflow:
- Current filenames are shown on the left
- New filenames are shown on the right
- Changes are applied only after confirmation
- Placeholders:
{name}: current filename{name1-3}: specific parts of the current filename{counter}: configurable counter{date}: current date or file modification date (selectable){time}: current time or modification time (selectable)
- Prefixes and suffixes
- Complete filename replacement
- Customizable date and time formats and separators
- Placeholders:
{ext}: current file extension{ext1-3}: specific parts of the current extension{counter}: configurable counter
- Prefixes and suffixes
- Complete extension replacement
- Wildcard support:
*= replaces everything between the first and next occurrence**= replaces everything between the first and last occurrence?= represents a single arbitrary character
- Optional features:
- Regular expressions
- Case sensitivity
- Exact matching
- Replace first match only
- Exclude file extensions
- Automatic numbering with configurable start value, increment, and digit width
- Optional: number duplicates only
- Uppercase / lowercase conversion
- Windows-compatible filenames: automatically removes or replaces invalid characters (
<>:"/\|?*) and prevents reserved names (CON,PRN,AUX,NUL,COM1–COM9,LPT1–LPT9) - External editing: open the preview list in a text editor for manual adjustments
- Import individual files or entire directories
- Option to include hidden files
- Drag & drop support from the file manager
- Detection of duplicate or invalid target filenames
- Undo functionality
- Available languages: German and English
- Filename length checks: automatic validation for maximum filename length (Windows) and byte length (Linux)
- Windows-compatible naming: always enabled on Windows, optional on Linux
- .lnk directory shortcuts (Windows): can only be added via Add folder; using Add file(s) opens the target directory instead
- External editor workflow: changes are applied only after saving the edited file
- Undo function: the undo history is cleared if the file list is modified, cleared, or if the application is closed
While the application does not overwrite files automatically, unexpected issues (e.g. special characters or file permission problems) may still occur.
The developer assumes no responsibility for data loss.
This project is licensed under the MIT License.
See LICENSE for the full license text.
Third-party libraries used by this project are licensed under their respective licenses.
All third-party license texts are collected in THIRD_PARTY_LICENSES.txt.
Developer: Codemorra
Project Page: https://github.com/codemorra/bulk-rename-py
© 2026-present Codemorra – All rights reserved.