Bren is a program for renaming multiple files at once. Bren is versatile and offers support for post-rename scripting with Guile, but you do not need to use it, in order to rename files.
Bren runs on the command line. It’s simple and fast.
Simple example to use Bren:
$ bren -p "/path/to/a/directory/with/files" -b "myphoto"
This renames every file in given path using the basename. For example, if your directory has files img34324.jpg, img345435.jpg and img7667.jpg they would be renamed to myphoto(1).jpg, myphoto(2).jpg and myphoto(3).jpg.
Other examples:
Do not traverse into subdirectories and remove any file extensions:
$ bren -p /some/path/to/dir -b "basename" -t -e
Generate random, 8 characters long identifier:
$ bren -p /some/path/to/dir -b "basename" -r
Dry run:
$ bren -p /some/path/to/dir -b "basename" -r -D
After the rename operation, execute a GNU Guile script:
$ bren -p /some/path/to/dir -b "basename" -c /path/to/script.scm
Guile scripts must contain function (bren-bridge(filepath)). Bren looks for that and calls it after every file rename operation. Argument filepath is the path of the file that was renamed.
This is free and open source software.
Options:
-p Set path where to look for files
-b Set basename for the files
-c After renaming, execute a script pointed by the path, for each file
-e Remove extension from the files
-r Generate random, 8 characters long identifier
-t Do not traverse into subdirectories of the path
-d Use last modified date of the file as an identifier
-D Dry run. Run, but do not actually rename any files
-h Show short help and exit
-V Show version number of the program
Website: www.byteptr.com/bren
Support: GitHub Code Repository
Developer: Niko Rosvall
License: GNU General Public License v3.0
Bren is written in C. Learn C with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Return to Console Batch Renamers
| Popular series | |
|---|---|
 | The largest compilation of the best free and open source software in the universe. Each article is supplied with a legendary ratings chart helping you to make informed decisions. |
 | Hundreds of in-depth reviews offering our unbiased and expert opinion on software. We offer helpful and impartial information. |
 | The Big List of Active Linux Distros is a large compilation of actively developed Linux distributions. |
 | Replace proprietary software with open source alternatives: Google, Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, IBM, Autodesk, Oracle, Atlassian, Corel, Cisco, Intuit, and SAS. |
 | Awesome Free Linux Games Tools showcases a series of tools that making gaming on Linux a more pleasurable experience. This is a new series. |
 | Machine Learning explores practical applications of machine learning and deep learning from a Linux perspective. We've written reviews of more than 40 self-hosted apps. All are free and open source. |
 | New to Linux? Read our Linux for Starters series. We start right at the basics and teach you everything you need to know to get started with Linux. |
 | Alternatives to popular CLI tools showcases essential tools that are modern replacements for core Linux utilities. |
 | Essential Linux system tools focuses on small, indispensable utilities, useful for system administrators as well as regular users. |
 | Linux utilities to maximise your productivity. Small, indispensable tools, useful for anyone running a Linux machine. |
 | Surveys popular streaming services from a Linux perspective: Amazon Music Unlimited, Myuzi, Spotify, Deezer, Tidal. |
 | Saving Money with Linux looks at how you can reduce your energy bills running Linux. |
 | Home computers became commonplace in the 1980s. Emulate home computers including the Commodore 64, Amiga, Atari ST, ZX81, Amstrad CPC, and ZX Spectrum. |
 | Now and Then examines how promising open source software fared over the years. It can be a bumpy ride. |
 | Linux at Home looks at a range of home activities where Linux can play its part, making the most of our time at home, keeping active and engaged. |
 | Linux Candy reveals the lighter side of Linux. Have some fun and escape from the daily drudgery. |
 | Getting Started with Docker helps you master Docker, a set of platform as a service products that delivers software in packages called containers. |
 | Best Free Android Apps. We showcase free Android apps that are definitely worth downloading. There's a strict eligibility criteria for inclusion in this series. |
 | These best free books accelerate your learning of every programming language. Learn a new language today! |
 | These free tutorials offer the perfect tonic to our free programming books series. |
 | Linux Around The World showcases usergroups that are relevant to Linux enthusiasts. Great ways to meet up with fellow enthusiasts. |
 | Stars and Stripes is an occasional series looking at the impact of Linux in the USA. |