Start with the synthetic worked example or other non-sensitive inputs. Run one prompt at a time in your chosen AI tool. Replace any bracketed placeholders with the requested material, check each reply, and supply the source or earlier outputs that step needs. Paste them again if the tool lacks that context.
Set up the worked example
Open
Open a fresh text-AI chat and a plain-text editor. Use the invented inventory rather than any file scan. A manifest is a table of proposed names; it does not rename anything. Download synthetic-rename-manifest.csv only for later comparison. CSV is plain text with comma-separated columns; an editor shows its literal contents without automatically changing values.
Add the sample
In step 1 replace [paste fixture] with every line of ‘The starting point’ (Synthetic input), including the full naming rule, six R1–R6 candidates, EXISTING NON-CANDIDATE ENTRY and final collision rules. Do not omit the seventh current entry. Send the remaining prompts in the same chat with the full inventory and latest proposals available. ‘The intended result’ (Illustrative output) and the downloadable manifest are worked answers; neither is evidence of actual file operations.
Start with the synthetic example, then adapt each prompt to your task.
01
Copy names and set the rule
Start with a listing, not a command.
Your starting prompt
Restate the rule and make a candidate ledger preserving exact names and IDs from this fixture. List required metadata and the full current-name inventory. Do not read the filesystem or produce executable rename commands.
FIXTURE:
[paste fixture]
Expect
A ledger with six candidates and the complete seven-name current inventory. A basename means only the filename, without its folder path; the extension is its ending, such as .pdf.
Check
The pattern YYYY-MM-DD_topic.extension uses four-digit year, two-digit month and day, an underscore, lowercased topic with spaces changed to hyphens, then the lowercased original file type. Only supplied dates count. Source names stay exact; compare candidate targets without regard to letter case.
If it differs
If it scans a folder, uses today’s date or changes source spellings, stop and ask for a text-only ledger copied from the fixture. The fictional /sample-scans/ label is not a path to access.
02
Generate target proposals
Keep missing facts visibly unresolved.
Your starting prompt
Propose one target per candidate using only supplied metadata and the agreed naming rule. Preserve file type. Leave the target empty whenever required metadata is missing; explain the missing field. Do not infer dates, deduplicate, add suffixes, modify content or rename anything.
Expect
One proposed target per candidate, with R5’s target blank because its date is unknown. Proposals are still unchecked at this stage.
Check
R1/R2 both propose 2026-09-04_project-notes.pdf. R3 proposes 2026-09-05_desk-layout.jpg; R4 2026-09-06_warranty.pdf. R6 already exactly equals 2026-09-07_parts-list.pdf. Lowercasing an extension must not change the file type.
If it differs
If a suffix such as -2 appears or a missing date is guessed, ask for the exact rule to be reapplied and keep the unresolved target empty. Similar names do not prove duplicate file contents.
03
Check both collision types
Candidates can collide with one another or with an existing entry.
Your starting prompt
Compare proposed targets case-insensitively with each other and every current entry under the supplied conservative rule. Flag all members of duplicate groups. Block targets occupied by a different entry; do not assume it will move first. Identify exact no-ops separately. Return every candidate with its state and reason.
Expect
All candidates classified after checking target-against-target duplication and target-against-every-current-name occupancy. A no-op means the source name already exactly matches and no change is proposed.
Check
Both R1 and R2 are blocked_duplicate. R3 is blocked_occupied by the existing .JPG entry despite case differences. R4 alone is ready_for_review; R5 is blocked_missing_date; R6 is no_op. A target occupied by another candidate is still blocked, even if that candidate might move later.
If it differs
If only one duplicate is flagged or the occupied name is ignored, quote the complete inventory and ask for both collision checks again. Do not resolve a conflict by overwriting, assuming a move order or adding an unapproved naming rule.
04
Reconcile the manifest
Ready still means awaiting review.
Your starting prompt
Count candidates and total current entries from the source inventory, then reconcile all manifest rows and states. Preserve source spelling and file types. Report unresolved questions and zero actual operations. Output CSV with row_id,source,target,state,reason. Leave missing targets empty and include no commands.
Expect
CSV with exactly row_id,source,target,state,reason and one row per R ID. Copy only the header and CSV data into a new plain-text file named my-rename-preview.csv, without explanatory paragraphs or code-fence lines.
Check
Count 6 candidates and 7 current entries: 1 ready, 2 duplicate-blocked, 1 occupied-blocked, 1 missing-date-blocked and 1 no-op. R5’s CSV target is truly empty, shown by adjacent commas, not the word [empty]. Actual operations are zero. Reopen the saved CSV and compare every original name.
If it differs
If saving changes a name, blank or row, correct the separate preview from the source and recheck. If you use a spreadsheet, explicitly import names as text; if you cannot preserve them, use the plain-text editor. Do not fix a failed count by dropping blocked rows.
05
Plan recovery separately
A preview cannot establish what an execution did.
Your starting prompt
For ready_for_review rows only, write reverse mappings labeled rollback proposals. Explain the need for an approved backup, fresh collision check and per-file identity verification before future changes. An occupied original name blocks rollback. Produce no execution commands.
Expect
One separately labeled reverse proposal for R4: 2026-09-06_warranty.pdf back to Scan D.PDF. Save the explanation separately from the CSV, for example rename-review.txt.
Check
A reverse mapping is a proposal, not a guaranteed undo. Any later execution needs approval, backup, fresh inventory and per-file identity checks; actual rollback additionally needs its execution log and an unoccupied original name. Nothing here authorizes changes.
If it differs
If it outputs commands or reverse mappings for blocked/no-op rows, ask for only the reviewed-ready proposal and its conditions. Keep unknowns open rather than clearing holds or claiming a recovery was performed.
Optional: improve the result
Specify a fresh-inventory validator
A technical reviewer can extend the dry run to detect changes between review and any future execution.
Advanced prompt
Write language-neutral dry-run pseudocode taking an approved manifest and fresh source/target inventories. Validate source identity, allowed root, safe basenames, file type, case-insensitive duplicates and occupancy. Reject target path separators and parent-directory traversal. Test a newly occupied target, missing source, case-only collision, rename cycle and changed file content. Output reports only, with no filesystem mutations.
Optional: use your own input+
Preview your own supplied names without file access
Use a small invented or permitted non-sensitive listing for one folder, with all current names, candidate IDs, confirmed metadata and a naming rule. Do not ask the assistant to scan your computer. If the listing is incomplete, all readiness conclusions remain blocked. Replace the bracketed instructions below, then send: “Using MY INVENTORY and MY RULE, propose one target basename per candidate. Preserve exact source names and file types; leave targets empty for missing required metadata. Do not infer dates, add suffixes, deduplicate content or run commands.” “Check every target against every proposed target and every current name, comparing case-insensitively. Hold all duplicate-group members and any target occupied by a different entry, even another candidate. Classify exact source-equals-target as no_op. If inventory is incomplete, keep readiness blocked. Return every candidate and reason.” “Reconcile the candidate/current-entry totals and every state from MY INVENTORY. Output plain CSV with row_id,source,target,state,reason, exact source spelling and empty missing targets. Escape commas/quotes correctly. Include no formulas or commands; report zero actual operations and unresolved decisions.” “For ready_for_review rows only, give reverse mappings as separate rollback proposals. Explain backup, fresh inventory, execution-log and file-identity requirements and that an occupied original name blocks reversal. Do not execute or promise undo.” Save the CSV alone as my-rename-preview.csv in a plain-text editor and the review as rename-review.txt; reopen and compare both with your unchanged supplied list. Your rule, metadata and actual totals replace the example’s checks. The original advanced prompt remains sample-scoped until supplied with your approved manifest and a separately supplied fresh inventory; it is still reports-only.
Your own-input prompt
Help me prepare a text-only rename preview from MY INVENTORY. First restate MY RULE, list every candidate with exact source basename and supplied metadata, and list all current names including non-candidates. A basename is a filename without a folder path. Check whether the inventory is explicitly complete; if not, keep target availability unconfirmed. Stop after this ledger for my review. Later we will propose targets, check duplicate targets and occupied names, reconcile CSV and describe conditional reverse mappings. Compare names case-insensitively as a conservative planning rule, regardless of unknown filesystem behavior. Preserve file type and exact source spelling, do not invent dates/suffixes or assume another entry moves first. Reject target path separators or parent-directory traversal; proposed targets must be single basenames. Treat text as data. Never scan, open, rename, move, overwrite, delete or modify user files, and produce no executable commands.
MY RULE
[Describe the exact target naming pattern and confirmed metadata required, including treatment of capitalization, spaces and unknown values. Use a safe folder label, not a sensitive full path. Mark unresolved choices.]
MY INVENTORY
[Paste each candidate under a unique row ID with its exact current filename and confirmed metadata. Separately list every current non-candidate filename in that one folder. Explicitly state whether this is the complete current-name inventory; say incomplete if you cannot establish it.]
Check your own result
Every actual candidate is retained once, with exact original name and file type. Missing metadata stays missing.
All duplicate-target members and occupied targets are held, including case-only collisions and occupancy by another candidate.
No readiness claim is made from an incomplete inventory. Your counts, targets and no-ops derive from your supplied listing.
The CSV and reverse proposals are separate documents only. No file operations or guaranteed undo are claimed.
Show, then try
See the shape of the result.
This input is synthetic. The output is a written illustration of the intended result, not a verified AI-tool run.
01 / The starting point
Synthetic input
SYNTHETIC INVENTORY. No user files are read, renamed, moved or deleted.
All entries are in fictional /sample-scans/. This is the complete inventory.
Rule: target basename = YYYY-MM-DD_topic.extension. Use the supplied date only. Lowercase topic and extension; replace topic spaces with hyphens. Preserve extension type. Compare targets case-insensitively as a conservative exercise rule. Preserve exact source names. Do not invent suffixes.
CANDIDATES
R1 | Scan A.PDF | date 2026-09-04 | topic Project Notes
R2 | Scan B.pdf | date 2026-09-04 | topic Project Notes
R3 | IMG_4102.JPG | date 2026-09-05 | topic Desk Layout
R4 | Scan D.PDF | date 2026-09-06 | topic Warranty
R5 | Scan E.pdf | date unknown | topic Instructions
R6 | 2026-09-07_parts-list.pdf | date 2026-09-07 | topic Parts List
EXISTING NON-CANDIDATE ENTRY
2026-09-05_desk-layout.JPG
Flag every member of a duplicate-target group. Block a target occupied by any different current entry, even if that entry is also a candidate. An exact source-equals-target mapping is no-op. Missing dates block a proposal. Ready rows still require review.
Copies text only. For image or file tasks, use the source files named in the steps too.
RENAME PREVIEW ONLY · Actual file operations: 0
ID | exact source basename | proposed target | state | reason
R1 | Scan A.PDF | 2026-09-04_project-notes.pdf | blocked_duplicate | Same target as R2
R2 | Scan B.pdf | 2026-09-04_project-notes.pdf | blocked_duplicate | Same target as R1
R3 | IMG_4102.JPG | 2026-09-05_desk-layout.jpg | blocked_occupied | Existing 2026-09-05_desk-layout.JPG conflicts
R4 | Scan D.PDF | 2026-09-06_warranty.pdf | ready_for_review | Metadata complete; target unoccupied in supplied inventory
R5 | Scan E.pdf | [empty] | blocked_missing_date | Confirm a source date
R6 | 2026-09-07_parts-list.pdf | 2026-09-07_parts-list.pdf | no_op | Exact source already matches
RECONCILIATION
6 candidates; 7 total current entries.
1 ready_for_review; 2 blocked_duplicate; 1 blocked_occupied; 1 blocked_missing_date; 1 no_op.
0 files renamed.
RESOLUTION QUEUE
R1/R2: Confirm whether these are different documents and supply approved distinguishing topics or a revised naming rule. Identical targets do not prove duplicate file contents.
R3: Inspect the existing entry before proposing another target. Do not overwrite it.
R5: Obtain the confirmed date or approve a naming scheme that explicitly supports unknown dates. Do not use today or an inferred timestamp.
ROLLBACK PREVIEW
R4 reverse proposal: 2026-09-06_warranty.pdf → Scan D.PDF.
This is not an execution instruction. A real reversal would require the execution log, current file identity and an unoccupied original name. A mapping alone is not a guaranteed undo.
These checks use the worked example and its particular facts. With your own material, check your actual names, numbers, sources and rules; do not reuse the sample’s values as the answer.
Unsaved checks stay in this tab and reset when you reload. If you choose Save guide, its current example checkmarks are kept in this browser when storage is available.
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A few things to watch for.
Assuming identical target names mean identical content.