> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.realmacsoftware.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.realmacsoftware.com/squash/quick-guide/nodes/rename.md).
# Rename
Build exported filenames with templates and optional AI descriptions
Use **Rename** to build filenames for exported images. Combine your own text with tokens for the original name, an AI description, numbering, image dimensions, aspect ratio, export date or your own [variables](/squash/quick-guide/variables.md).
There is no on/off switch. The template starts as **Describe**, which names each image after its content using [Apple Intelligence](/squash/quick-guide/ai.md) on your Mac. Renaming applies whenever the settings would change the filename; to keep the original names, set the template to just **Original**, with Lowercase off and Whitespace set to **Leave**.
The filename each image will be saved with appears in the image list; hover over it to see the original name. Squash adds the selected output format's extension automatically, so leave it out of your template.
### Filename tokens
Click the **+** at the end of the template field and choose a token to insert it at the caret. The menu also lists your [variables](/squash/quick-guide/variables.md), and **Edit Variables…** opens **Settings → Variables** for adding or changing them. Tokens use your Mac's accent colour, except **Describe**, which has its own colourful gradient so AI-generated parts of a name stand out. [Variables](/squash/quick-guide/variables.md) are outlined rather than filled, and turn red if the variable has been deleted.
Describe needs Apple Intelligence. On a Mac that can't run it, the Describe token is hidden and removed from the template: it is replaced with **Original**, or simply dropped if the template already includes Original. Original is then the default template on that Mac. While the template uses Describe, the section shows whether Apple Intelligence is ready.
Tokens appear as rounded chips in the field. You can also type or paste a template: a complete token turns into a chip when you type its closing braces. Both `{{original}}` and `{original}` are accepted; the same applies to the other token spellings below.
| Token label | Template spelling | Contents |
| ------------- | ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Original | `{{original}}` | Original filename without its extension. |
| Describe | `{{describe}}` | An image-based name from Apple Intelligence, with the original name as a fallback when no description is available. |
| Dimension | `{{dimension}}` | Original image dimensions, such as `2400x1600`. |
| Aspect | `{{aspect}}` | Export aspect ratio, such as `3x2` or `16x9`. |
| Width | `{{width}}` | Export width in pixels, such as `1200`. |
| Height | `{{height}}` | Export height in pixels, such as `800`. |
| Date | `{{date}}` | Export date in `YYYY-MM-DD` format, such as `2026-10-15`. |
| Number | `{{number}}` | Image position in the current list: `1`, `2`, `3` and so on. |
| Padded Number | `{{number:3}}` | The same position with at least three digits: `001`, `002`, `003` and so on. |
| Folder | `{{folder}}` | Name of the folder the original is in. Empty for images with no original file location, such as pasted images. |
| Preset | `{{preset}}` | Name of the preset chosen in the toolbar. Empty for the built-in **Default** preset. |
| Format | `{{format}}` | The output file extension, such as `jpg`. |
| Year | `{{year}}` | Export year, such as `2026`. |
| Month | `{{month}}` | Export month with two digits, such as `03`. |
| Day | `{{day}}` | Export day with two digits, such as `07`. |
| Time | `{{time}}` | Export time on a 24-hour clock, such as `0905`. |
| Variable | `{{var:Client}}` | The value of a [variable](/squash/quick-guide/variables.md) you've set up. |
**Width**, **Height** and **Aspect** use the final exported dimensions, including resizing and any crop applied by a border or effect. Aspect ratios use an `x` separator so they can be used in filenames.
### Numbering and dates
**Number** starts at 1 for the first image in the list. **Padded Number** adds leading zeroes to make at least three digits. After `999`, it continues with `1000`.
To use a different amount of padding, type a token such as `{{number:4}}`, which gives `0001`, `0002` and so on.
**Date**, **Year**, **Month**, **Day** and **Time** use your Mac's local date and time when the export starts. Images in the same export batch use the same value, even if the export takes a while.
### Examples
For the first image in the list, named `Garden Photo.jpg`, originally 2400 × 1600 and exported as a 1200 × 800 JPEG on 15 October 2026:
| Template | Example output |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------- |
| `{{original}}-squashed` | `Garden Photo-squashed.jpg` |
| `web-{{original}}-{{width}}x{{height}}` | `web-Garden Photo-1200x800.jpg` |
| `holiday-{{number}}` | `holiday-1.jpg` |
| `holiday-{{number:3}}` | `holiday-001.jpg` |
| `{{date}}-{{number:3}}-{{aspect}}` | `2026-10-15-001-3x2.jpg` |
| `{{original}}-{{dimension}}` | `Garden Photo-2400x1600.jpg` |
| `{{var:Client}}-{{year}}{{month}}-{{number:3}}`, with `Client` set to `Acme` | `Acme-202610-001.jpg` |
### Existing templates and presets
These spellings are also accepted:
| Spelling | Behaviour |
| -------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `{{name}}` | Same as Original. |
| `{{counter}}` | Same as Number. |
| `{{counter:3}}` | Same as Padded Number. |
| `{{index}}` or `###` | Older three-digit numbering, starting at `000` for the first image. |
| `{{content}}` | Older spelling of Describe. |
Existing presets keep their numbering behaviour. Older presets using prefix, suffix or replacement settings are converted into templates when loaded. Settings and presets saved with the old Rename switch turned off load with the template set to **Original**, so they keep the original filenames.
### Descriptive filenames
**Describe** is the default template. You can also add it to your own template from the **+** menu, or by typing or pasting `{{describe}}`. Squash then generates names with Apple Intelligence on your Mac.
Generation starts as soon as images are added, and when you add Describe to the template for images already in the list. A small spinner appears beside a name while it is being described. Until a description is ready, the original name is used in its place. Export also runs missing generation before saving. Matching cached results can be reused.
Remove the Describe token from the template to stop using descriptive filenames.
Review the planned names before using them. If a description is unavailable, the token falls back to the original name.
See [AI Setup](/squash/quick-guide/ai.md) for requirements and image handling.
### Lowercase and whitespace
Below the template field, **Whitespace** can leave spaces as they are, remove them, or replace them with `-` or `_`. Select the **Lowercase** checkbox to convert the complete output name to lowercase.
For example, `Garden Photo-squashed.jpg` becomes `garden-photo-squashed.jpg` with Lowercase on and **Replace With "-"** selected.
### Matching names
Renaming affects exported copies, not the source filenames. If two images in the batch would get the same name, for example two photos both described as `orange-fruit`, Squash adds `-2`, `-3` and so on in list order: `orange-fruit.jpg`, `orange-fruit-2.jpg`. The image list shows these final names, and names that differ only in capitalisation count as the same. Images going to different [subfolders](/squash/quick-guide/nodes/export.md#subfolders) can share a name.
If a file with the output name already exists in the destination, Squash adds a numbered suffix unless **Overwrite** is enabled. See [Export](/squash/quick-guide/nodes/export.md) before saving beside your originals.
Squash 3 reference screenshots
These screenshots show the earlier Squash 3 interface.
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