Batch Folder Sorter

Batch Folder Sorter is a desktop helper app for preparing ingest folders from CSV metadata.

It is intended as a helper tool for working with the meemoo instroom tool workflow.

It is meant for people who need to sort large batches of files into a clean folder structure before ingest, archiving, delivery, or internal review, without having to do the folder work manually.

Why This Tool Exists

When file batches arrive, they are often:

• mixed together in one folder
• inconsistently named
• partially matching the metadata
• full of files that do not belong in the final ingest structure

Batch Folder Sorter helps turn that messy starting point into a structured output that is easier to review and ingest.

Important

This app is a helper tool, not a replacement for collection review or ingest quality control.

Please keep in mind:

• this tool modifies file structures (creates folders and moves files), so if you are unsure, please use it on a copy of your data
• always work on a copy of your source material when possible
• always review the output before final ingest or delivery
• unmatched files may be moved to _EXTRA_FILES, so they still need human review
• Undo restores only the last successful batch action

What The App Does

The app takes:

• a ROOT folder with files
• a CSV file with a Mapnaam column

It then matches files to the identifiers in the CSV and moves them into the correct folders automatically.

Files that do not match are moved into _EXTRA_FILES instead of being mixed into the main structure.

Workflows

Standard Mode

Use this when filenames directly match the values in the CSV.

Example:

CSV Mapnaam: ITEM_001
File: ITEM_001.jpg

Output:

ROOT/
  ITEM_001/
    jpg/
      ITEM_001.jpg

Artwork Batch Mode

Use this for artwork-style batches where the filename contains:

• an IE identifier
• a sequence number
• a master suffix like _M

Example:

OBJ001_001+FO+FDP_M.tif
OBJ001_001+FO+FDP_B.tif
OBJ001_002+FO+FDP.tif

Output:

ROOT/
  OBJ001/
    Masters_16bit/
      OBJ001_001+FO+FDP_M.tif
    Bewerkt_8bit/
      OBJ001_001+FO+FDP_B.tif
      OBJ001_002+FO+FDP.tif

Additional example with a dashed IE identifier:

CSV Mapnaam: 2814-001
Files:
2814-001_001_M.tif
2814-001_001_B.tif

Output:
ROOT/
  2814-001/
    Masters_16bit/
      2814-001_001_M.tif
    Bewerkt_8bit/
      2814-001_001_B.tif

Notes:

• Artwork batch mode keeps the original filenames
• _M is treated as master
• _B and files without a suffix go to Bewerkt_8bit
• IE identifiers that contain dashes, such as 2814-001, are supported when that exact value exists in the CSV

Main Features

• Clean desktop interface
• Standard mode and artwork batch mode
• CSV validation before processing
• _EXTRA_FILES handling for unmatched files
• Undo for the last successful batch
• Release downloads for macOS and Windows

Downloads

Download the latest release from:

• GitHub Releases

Choose the file that matches your system:

• BatchFolderSorter-macos-arm64.zip
  For Apple Silicon Macs (M1, M2, M3, M4)
• BatchFolderSorter-macos-x86_64.zip
  For Intel Macs
• BatchFolderSorter-windows-x64.zip
  For 64-bit Windows systems
• checksums.txt
  SHA256 checksums for release verification

First Launch

macOS

1. Download the correct macOS zip.
2. Unzip it.
3. Move BatchFolderSorter.app to Applications if desired.
4. Open the app.
5. If macOS blocks it on first launch: Open System Settings -> Privacy & Security and allow the app to run.

Note:

• The app is not notarized yet, so the first launch may require manual confirmation in macOS.

Windows

1. Download BatchFolderSorter-windows-x64.zip.
2. Unzip it.
3. Open the extracted BatchFolderSorter folder.
4. Run the application executable.

If Windows SmartScreen appears, continue only if you trust the release source.

How To Use

1. Open the app.
2. Choose the ROOT folder.
3. Choose the CSV file.
4. Select Standard mode or Artwork batch mode.
5. Click Run Batch.
6. Review the result in the Status area.
7. If needed, click Undo to restore the last successful batch.

CSV Requirements

The CSV must contain a Mapnaam column.

Example:

Mapnaam
OBJ001
OBJ002
OBJ003

If the selected CSV does not match the selected ROOT folder, the app will stop and show an error instead of moving everything into _EXTRA_FILES.

Hidden macOS Files

Batch Folder Sorter does not create hidden ._* files.

These files are usually created by macOS as metadata sidecar files, especially when data is copied to or used from external drives that move between macOS and Windows or other non-Apple filesystems.

If these files appear in a batch or in an ingest workflow, they should be handled separately before ingest.

For a practical explanation and cleanup example, see this Apple Community discussion:

• How do I delete ._ on mac USB file names

Screenshots

Standard mode: base structure by extensions

Artwork batch mode: structure by artwork filenames

For Developers

Requirements

• Python 3.9+

Install dependencies:

python3 -m venv venv_gui
source venv_gui/bin/activate
pip install -r requirements.txt

Run From Source

source venv_gui/bin/activate
python gui.py

Build Locally

source venv_gui/bin/activate
pyinstaller BatchFolderSorter.spec

Automated Builds

GitHub Actions is configured to build release artifacts for:

• macOS arm64
• macOS x86_64
• Windows x64

Manual build workflow:

• Open the Actions tab in GitHub
• Run Build And Release
• Download the generated artifacts

Tag-based release workflow:

git tag v1.0.0
git push origin v1.0.0

When a tag like v1.0.0 is pushed, GitHub Actions will:

• build all three platform artifacts
• create or update a GitHub Release
• upload the zip files
• upload checksums.txt

Development Notes

• Undo restores the last successful batch only
• The repository ignores local builds, test samples, and virtual environments