Tabs that say what the work is.
Smart Rename turns numbered Herdr tabs into short task labels. Known processes get instant names such as Run Tests, Dev Server, and View Logs; ambiguous work uses an OpenAI-compatible model. Manual names always win.
herdr-tab-smart-rename-demo.mp4
Requires Herdr 0.7.0+ and Bun 1.1.34+.
herdr plugin install iurysza/herdr-tab-smart-rename
herdr plugin action invoke configure-ai --plugin tab-smart-rename
herdr plugin action invoke check-ai --plugin tab-smart-rename
herdr plugin action invoke start --plugin tab-smart-renameconfigure-ai opens ~/.config/herdr/plugins/config/tab-smart-rename/provider.env. For the default OpenAI GPT-5.6 Luna setup, add:
OPENAI_API_KEY=...Without a key, deterministic names still work.
[[keys.command]]
key = "prefix+t"
type = "plugin_action"
command = "tab-smart-rename.rename-now"
description = "smart rename current tab"
[[keys.command]]
key = "prefix+alt+t"
type = "plugin_action"
command = "tab-smart-rename.rename-all"
description = "force smart rename all tabs"Every explicit rename ends with a notification: renamed, not renamed, or failed. During a model-backed current-tab rename, a diamond pulse appears before its label.
| Action | Effect |
|---|---|
rename-now |
Rename the current tab |
rename-all |
Rename every tab |
reset-tab |
Return the current tab to automatic naming |
reset-workspace |
Return the workspace to automatic naming |
configure-ai |
Edit provider settings |
configure-prompt |
Edit naming instructions |
check-ai |
Validate config without calling the provider |
start / stop / status |
Control the worker |
herdr plugin action invoke <action> --plugin tab-smart-renameSmart Rename uses one dominant pane: focused agent, another active agent, focused command, then first pane. Supporting servers and logs never replace an active agent's task.
Labels use 2–4 Title Case words, stay under 30 characters, and describe the task—not its tool, model, or project. Weak evidence produces no rename. Manual labels remain locked until reset or explicit rename.
See the naming policy for the full contract.
Provider defaults live in provider.env.example:
SMART_RENAME_PROVIDER=openai
SMART_RENAME_BASE_URL=https://api.openai.com/v1
SMART_RENAME_MODEL=gpt-5.6-luna
SMART_RENAME_REASONING_EFFORT=medium
SMART_RENAME_TIMEOUT_MS=45000Use SMART_RENAME_API_KEY for another OpenAI-compatible provider. OPENAI_API_KEY and Kimi's KIMI_API_KEY are also supported when their provider is selected. Config reloads before every model request.
The default system prompt is docs/naming-policy.md. Create a private editable copy with:
herdr plugin action invoke configure-prompt --plugin tab-smart-renameIt opens ~/.config/herdr/plugins/config/tab-smart-rename/naming-prompt.md. A prompt can be this small:
Name the current persistent task in 2–4 Title Case words.
Omit project, app, agent, and model names.
Return JSON only: {"tab":"Assess Python Migration","reason":"Current task."}
If unclear: {"tab":null,"reason":"no meaningful task"}Set SMART_RENAME_PROMPT_PATH to use another file. Prompts reload per request; built-in JSON and label validation still applies.
Model requests contain bounded, sanitized evidence from the dominant pane. Pi panes may contribute short user-request excerpts; sibling panes contribute process summaries only. Smart Rename removes terminal formatting, common secret shapes, and the local home path before sending context.
Provider keys stay in Herdr's private plugin config and never enter Smart Rename state or logs.
- Worker stopped:
herdr plugin action invoke start --plugin tab-smart-rename - Config invalid: run
configure-ai, thencheck-ai. - Authentication fails: ensure the key matches the configured endpoint and model;
check-aidoes not make an API request. - Bun is outside Herdr's server
PATH: runtime actions also check standard Bun and Homebrew locations. - Manual label stays: use
reset-tabor an explicit rename. - Logs:
herdr plugin log list --plugin tab-smart-rename --limit 10