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Tips & Best Practices

This guide provides practical advice for getting the most out of Name-o-Tron 9000 while avoiding common pitfalls.

Plex Integration

Server Discovery & Authentication

[tips_server_selector.png]

  • Multiple Servers: The app can manage multiple Plex servers simultaneously. Use the server selector in the top navigation to switch between them.
  • Remote Access: For Plex servers behind NAT/firewalls, use manual server addition on the Home screen where the Discover functionality is located.

[tips_manual_server.png] - Token Persistence: Choose "Secure (System Keyring)" for production use - it stores tokens encrypted in your OS credential store.

Advanced Network Scanning

  • Complex Networks: Use "Advanced Scan" when automatic discovery fails due to custom ports or network segmentation.
  • Custom Ports: Specify alternative Plex Media Server ports (default is 32400).
  • Manual Hosts: Provide specific IP addresses or hostnames to scan directly.
  • Progress Monitoring: The scan overlay shows real-time progress and discovered servers.

Library Organization

  • Consistent Naming: Before using the app, ensure your Plex library is well-organized with consistent naming patterns.
  • Metadata Quality: High-quality Plex metadata improves rename accuracy. Run "Refresh Metadata" in Plex if results seem inconsistent.
  • Library Types: The app works best with properly configured Movie, TV Show, and Music libraries in Plex.

Path Mapping

Cross-Platform Setup

  • Windows: Use UNC paths (\\server\share) or mapped drives (Z:\Movies) for network storage.
  • macOS: Use /Volumes/ mount points for external drives and network shares.
  • Linux: Use /mnt/ or /media/ mount points consistently.

Network Storage (NAS/SAN)

[tips_nas_mount.png]

  • Mount Stability: Ensure NAS mounts are stable and reconnect automatically on system restart.
  • Permission Consistency: The app needs the same file permissions as your user account.
  • Path Case Sensitivity: Windows/macOS are case-insensitive; Linux is case-sensitive. Test mappings carefully.

Mapping Best Practices

  1. Start Simple: Begin with one library and expand gradually.
  2. Test Thoroughly: Use the "Test Mapping" button before applying renames.

[tips_path_mapping_test.png] 3. Backup First: Always backup important data before large rename operations. 4. Validate Paths: Ensure both Plex paths and local paths exist and are accessible.

[tips_mapping_summary.png]

Filename Handling

Character Encoding

[tips_unicode_highlight.png]

  • Unicode Support: The app preserves Unicode characters by default - ideal for international content.
  • Transliteration: Use "Transliterate non-Latin → ASCII" for older systems or shared folders.
  • Highlight Non-Latin: Enable this in General settings to spot potential encoding issues before renaming.

Path Length Management

[tips_path_too_long.png]

  • 255 Character Limit: Windows has a hard limit; macOS/Linux support longer paths but >255 can cause issues.
  • Warn at 200: The app warns at >200 characters to give buffer room.
  • Deep Nesting: Avoid deeply nested folder structures that compound path length issues.

Special Characters

[tips_reserved_name.png]

  • Invalid Characters: The app automatically sanitizes \ / : * ? " < > | characters.
  • Reserved Names: Windows reserved names (CON, AUX, etc.) are flagged when detected.
  • Long Filenames: Very long base names contribute more to path length than deep folders.

Media-Specific Tips

Movies

[tips_movie_collections.png]

  • Collection Organization: Use "Always group into collections" for series like Marvel movies.
  • Edition Detection: The app automatically detects "Extended", "Director's Cut", "IMAX" from filenames.
  • Multiple Versions: Enable "Append version name" for 4K, HDR, or commentary versions.
  • Individual Folders: Enable "Put every movie in its own folder" for standard Plex organization.

TV Shows

[tips_anime_specials.png]

  • Season Folders: Always enable for proper Plex TV organization.
  • Multi-Episode Files: Use "Normalize multi-episode files" to convert S01E01E02 to S01E01-E02.

[tips_multi_episode.png] - Special Episodes: Enable "Detect OVA/Specials → Season 00" for anime and bonus content. - Episode Ranges: The app handles S01E01-E03 format for multi-episode files.

Music

[tips_music_multidisc.png]

  • Artist/Album Structure: Standard Plex music organization works best.
  • Multi-Disc Albums: Enable "Put tracks into disc subfolders" for proper organization.
  • Track Numbering: Use "Normalize track numbering" to ensure consistent 01 - Track Name format.

Performance & Usability

Large Libraries

[tips_pagination.png]

  • Pagination: The app loads 20 items per page for TV shows, 200 for movies/music - use search to find specific content.
  • Search Behavior: Debounced search (500ms) filters locally first, then queries Plex if no matches.
  • Preview Recalculation: Settings changes immediately recalculate the preview - use this for experimentation.

Batch Operations

[tips_status_filter.png]

  • Selective Processing: Use checkboxes to select only the items you want to rename.
  • Status Filtering: Use the status filters (Green/Yellow/Red/Unmatched) to focus on specific types of items.
  • Progress Monitoring: Watch the progress bar during large operations.

Search & Filtering

[tips_search.png]

  • Local Search: Fast filtering of already-loaded items for immediate results.
  • Remote Search: Always queries Plex API to ensure comprehensive results, as search terms may match content not yet loaded locally.
  • Search Scope: Search includes both current library content and Plex database matches for complete coverage.

Safety & Recovery

Before Renaming

[tips_preview_review.png]

  • Preview Always: Never skip the preview step - it's your safety net.
  • Status Review: Carefully review all Yellow (warnings) and Red (blocking) items.
  • Test Runs: Start with a small subset of files to verify behavior.
  • Backup Strategy: Consider filesystem-level backups before large operations.

During Operations

[tips_progress.png]

  • Progress Monitoring: The app shows detailed progress for each operation.
  • Error Handling: Individual failures don't stop the entire batch.
  • Rollback Logs: Every operation creates detailed logs for potential undo (see Rollback & Recovery).

After Operations

[tips_rollback_log.png]

  • Verify Results: Check that files renamed correctly and Plex recognizes them.
  • Log Review: Export and review logs for any issues or unexpected behavior.
  • Undo Ready: Keep rollback logs until you're confident with the results (see Rollback & Recovery).

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Preview Issues

  • Slow Preview: Large libraries may take time to load - be patient or use search to filter.
  • Inconsistent Results: Check Plex metadata quality and refresh if needed.
  • Path Mapping Errors: Verify all path mappings are correct and accessible.

Rename Issues

  • Permission Denied: Ensure the app has write access to destination folders.
  • Target Exists: Use conflict resolution settings or manually resolve duplicates first.
  • Network Timeouts: For NAS operations, ensure stable network connectivity.

Plex Integration Issues

  • Server Not Found: Check network connectivity and Plex server status.
  • Authentication Failed: Verify Plex account credentials and server access.
  • Metadata Mismatch: Refresh Plex library metadata if files aren't matching correctly.

UI & View Modes

Choosing View Modes

  • Table View: Best for detailed inspection, sorting, and bulk operations on large libraries.
  • Blocks View: Ideal for visual browsing, poster previews, and focused work on smaller sets of items.
  • Per-Library Preferences: Set different view modes for Movies vs TV Shows based on your workflow.

Blocks View Tips

  • Poster Loading: Posters load progressively for better performance with large libraries.
  • Select All: Use the left-aligned "Select all" toggle to quickly select all visible items on the current page.
  • Compact Information: Hover over items for detailed metadata in popover cards.
  • Efficient for Reviews: Perfect for final quality checks before applying renames.

Advanced Recipes & Use Cases

This section covers advanced workflows for specific media types and complex setups.

Anime & TV Specials

For anime collections with specials/OVAs:

  1. Enable Special Detection: Settings > TV Shows > "Detect OVA/Specials → Season 00"
  2. Season Folder Organization: Keep "Organize into season folders" enabled
  3. Multi-Episode Handling: Enable "Normalize multi-episode files" for S01E01E02 format
  4. Template Customization: Use {showTitle} - S{season:02}E{episode:02} - {title}{ext}

Expected Results:

[tips_anime_example.png]

  • Regular episodes: Attack on Titan - S01E01 - To You, in 2000 Years.ext
  • Specials/OVAs: Attack on Titan - S00E01 - Special Episode.ext
  • Multi-episode: Attack on Titan - S01E01-E02 - Combined Episode.ext

Multi-Disc Music Collections

[tips_classical_album.png]

For classical music or complex album sets:

  1. Disc Subfolders: Settings > Music > Enable "Put tracks into disc subfolders"
  2. Track Normalization: Enable "Normalize track numbering"
  3. Artist/Album Structure: Use "Artist/Album/Track" format

Setup Example:

Beethoven - Complete Symphonies/
├── Symphony No. 1 in C major, Op. 21/
│   ├── CD 1/
│   │   ├── 01 - I. Adagio molto - Allegro con brio.mp3
│   │   └── 02 - II. Andante cantabile con moto.mp3
│   └── CD 2/
│       ├── 01 - III. Menuetto. Allegro molto e vivace.mp3
│       └── 02 - IV. Adagio - Allegro molto e vivace.mp3

Large NAS & Network Storage

For libraries stored on NAS or complex network setups:

  1. Stable Mounts: Ensure NAS mounts reconnect automatically on system restart
  2. Consistent Paths: Use identical paths in both Plex and your local system
  3. Permission Alignment: Ensure the app runs with the same user permissions as Plex
  4. Network Optimization: Use wired connections for large operations

Advanced Path Mapping:

[tips_nas_summary.png]

  • Test mappings with "Test Mapping" button before large operations
  • Use UNC paths (\\nas\media) on Windows for reliability
  • Monitor network performance during large batch operations

Complex Movie Collections

For extensive movie collections with multiple editions:

  1. Collection Organization: Use "Always group into collections" for series
  2. Edition Handling: Enable all edition detection and expansion options
  3. Version Management: Enable "Append version name" for 4K/HDR variants
  4. Individual Folders: Enable "Put every movie in its own folder"

Template Strategy:

{title}[ ({year})][ - {edition}][ ({collection})]{ext}

Results in:

[tips_lotr_collection.png]

  • The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) (Extended Edition) (The Lord of the Rings Collection).mkv
  • The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers (2002) (4K HDR).mkv

Custom Naming Schemes

For specialized naming requirements:

  1. Study Template Placeholders: Use the "?" help buttons for complete reference
  2. Test with Preview: Experiment with settings and immediately see results
  3. Export/Import Settings: Share successful configurations across machines
  4. Version Control Settings: Keep settings files for backup and sharing

Advanced Template Example:

[tips_template_preview.png]

[{grandparentTitle}/]{parentTitle}/[{season:02}/]{showTitle} - S{season:02}E{episode:02} - {title}{ext}

Mixed Plex/Jellyfin Libraries

[tips_dual_library.png]

For users transitioning between Plex and Jellyfin or maintaining dual libraries:

  1. Metadata Consistency: Ensure both systems use similar metadata sources for consistent results
  2. Naming Convention Alignment: Configure templates to match the target system's expectations
  3. Batch Processing: Process libraries in smaller chunks to verify compatibility
  4. Rollback Strategy: Keep detailed logs during transition for easy rollback if needed

Migration Workflow: - Export Plex metadata before starting rename operations - Process a test subset first to verify naming compatibility - Monitor both systems during the transition period - Use "Verify Results" step to ensure both systems recognize renamed files

NAS Migration & Library Relocation

[tips_nas_migration.png]

For moving large libraries between storage systems:

  1. Pre-Migration Planning: Map both old and new storage locations before starting
  2. Staged Migration: Move and rename in smaller batches to minimize risk
  3. Network Optimization: Use high-speed network connections for large transfers
  4. Verification Strategy: Verify Plex recognition after each batch

Migration Steps: 1. Create path mappings for both old and new storage locations 2. Test with a small subset of files first 3. Process libraries in priority order (Movies → TV → Music) 4. Update Plex library paths after each completed section 5. Keep rollback logs until migration is fully verified

Expected Results: - Old location: /old-nas/Movies/Movie (2023).mkv - New location: /new-nas/Media/Movies/Movie (2023)/Movie (2023).mkv

Very Large TV Series Collections

[tips_large_tv_series.png]

For extensive TV collections (100+ shows, 1000+ episodes):

  1. Pagination Strategy: Use the app's built-in pagination (20 for TV shows, 200 for movies/music) effectively
  2. Search Optimization: Use specific show names to process one series at a time
  3. Batch Size Management: Process individual seasons rather than entire shows
  4. Memory Management: Restart the app periodically for large operations

Processing Workflow: 1. Show Selection: Use search to filter to specific shows or seasons 2. Status Filtering: Focus on Yellow/Red items first for problem resolution 3. Incremental Processing: Process a few shows completely before moving to the next batch 4. Progress Tracking: Use exported logs to track progress across sessions

Performance Tips: - Enable "Save rename log" for detailed progress tracking - Use "Export Settings" to maintain consistent configuration across sessions - Monitor system resources during large operations - Consider processing during off-peak hours for network storage

Docker & Containerized Environments

For Plex servers running in Docker containers:

  1. Volume Mapping: Ensure consistent volume mounts between container and host
  2. Path Translation: Map container paths to host filesystem paths accurately
  3. Permission Alignment: Match container user permissions with host file access
  4. Metadata Sync: Verify Plex metadata updates after file operations

Container-Specific Setup: - Use absolute paths in path mappings when possible - Test mappings with simple file operations before large renames - Monitor container logs for permission or path-related issues - Consider running the app in the same container network as Plex for optimal connectivity

Multi-User Shared Libraries

For libraries shared across multiple users or devices:

  1. Consistent Naming: Establish naming conventions that work across all users' systems
  2. Cross-Platform Compatibility: Test naming on Windows, macOS, and Linux systems
  3. Network Path Handling: Use UNC paths or stable mount points for shared storage
  4. Permission Coordination: Ensure all users have appropriate file access permissions

Sharing Strategy: - Choose templates that work well across different operating systems - Use "Preserve Unicode" encoding for international content - Test rename operations on a shared test directory first - Communicate changes to all users before applying to shared libraries

Advanced Usage

Template Customization

  • Template Help Modals: Use the "?" help buttons next to template fields to see all available placeholder tags and their usage.
  • Movie Templates: Start with {title}[ ({year})]{ext} and customize as needed.
  • TV Templates: Use {showTitle} - S{season:02}E{episode:02} - {title}{ext} for standard formatting.
  • Optional Groups: Use [ ({year})] to omit year when not available.
  • Available Placeholders: {title}, {year}, {ext}, {showTitle}, {season}, {episode}, {grandparentTitle}, {parentTitle}, and more.

Settings Export/Import

  • Backup Settings: Export settings before major configuration changes.
  • Share Configurations: Import settings files to replicate setups across machines.
  • Version Control: Keep settings files in version control for team environments.

Log Management

  • Log Location: ~/.nameotron/logs/ (cross-platform OS app data directory).
  • Log Rotation: Older logs are automatically cleaned up.
  • Export Formats: Use TXT for human reading, JSON for programmatic processing.

Getting the Best Results

Preparation Checklist

  • [ ] Plex server running and accessible
  • [ ] Libraries properly configured in Plex
  • [ ] Path mappings tested and working
  • [ ] Settings configured for your use case
  • [ ] Backup strategy in place
  • [ ] Small test run completed successfully

Optimization Tips

  • Regular Maintenance: Periodically review and update Plex metadata.
  • Consistent Naming: Establish naming conventions before large operations.
  • Incremental Approach: Process libraries in smaller batches for better control.
  • Monitor Logs: Regularly review operation logs for patterns and issues.

When to Ask for Help

  • Unexpected errors in logs
  • Consistent mapping or permission failures
  • Plex integration issues
  • Performance problems with large libraries

Remember: The app is designed to be safe-first. When in doubt, use smaller test runs and always verify results before proceeding with larger operations.