file-rename

Perl regex-based file renaming

TLDR

Rename using Perl expression

$ file-rename 's/old/new/' [files]

Rename to lowercase

$ file-rename 'y/A-Z/a-z/' [files]

Dry run to preview changes

$ file-rename -n 's/pattern/replacement/' [files]

Replace spaces with underscores

$ file-rename 's/ /_/g' [files]

Add prefix to files

$ file-rename 's/^/prefix_/' [files]

Change file extension

$ file-rename 's/\.jpeg$/.jpg/' [*.jpeg]

Remove numbering prefix from files

$ file-rename 's/^\d+_//' [files]

SYNOPSIS

file-rename [options] expression [files...]

file-rename (also known as rename or prename) renames multiple files using Perl regular expressions, providing powerful pattern-based transformation capabilities. Unlike simple mv operations, it can apply complex substitutions, case conversions, and pattern matching across multiple filenames simultaneously.The tool supports the full Perl regex syntax including capture groups, look-ahead/look-behind assertions, and transliteration operations. Common uses include batch renaming, removing or replacing characters, changing file extensions, and standardizing filename formats.file-rename's dry-run mode (-n) allows preview of changes before execution, preventing accidental destructive operations. The force flag (-f) enables overwriting existing files when name collisions occur.

PARAMETERS

-n, --no-act

Dry run, show what would happen.

-v, --verbose

Print names of files renamed.

-f, --force

Overwrite existing files.

-0, --null

Expect null-terminated input from stdin (for use with find -print0).

-d, --filename

Rename only the filename component, not the directory part.

-e expression

Apply expression to filename. Multiple -e options can be chained.

CAVEATS

Multiple implementations of rename exist. This documents the Perl version (prename), not the util-linux version.