Lifter

Product Introduction

1. Lifter is a macOS utility designed to automate and streamline the organization of digital files through structured import workflows. It creates dated folder hierarchies, renames files using customizable templates, and ensures data integrity through duplicate detection. The tool operates entirely offline, prioritizes user privacy, and integrates seamlessly with macOS Ventura 13.5 or later.
2. The core value of Lifter lies in its ability to replace manual file management with precise, automated workflows tailored for professionals requiring consistency and efficiency. It eliminates clutter by sorting files into logical folder structures and renaming them systematically while preserving original data. By offering a simulation mode and MD5-based duplicate checks, it ensures error-free organization without compromising user control.

Main Features

1. Lifter automatically generates Year/Month/Day folder structures using flexible patterns like {YYYY}/{MM}/{DD} or custom date formats. Users can prioritize EXIF metadata (e.g., photo capture dates) or fall back to file creation dates for non-media files. This feature supports batch processing of thousands of files while maintaining granular control over destination paths.
2. The tool enables advanced file renaming through token-based templates such as {DATE}, {BASENAME}, and {COUNTER}, with real-time previews of changes. Users can combine static text, sequential numbering, and metadata-derived values to create unique filenames. Renaming rules apply consistently across all supported file types, including photos, videos, and documents.
3. Duplicate detection uses MD5 hashing to identify identical files, even if their filenames differ. Users can choose to skip, overwrite, or append incremental suffixes to duplicates. This feature operates during both simulation and execution phases, ensuring no redundant files are copied to the target directory.
4. Simulate Mode provides a dry-run preview of all organizational actions without modifying source or destination files. Users can audit folder structures, renamed files, and duplication handling before committing changes. This safeguards against accidental data loss and allows iterative adjustments to naming rules or sorting logic.

Problems Solved

1. Lifter addresses the inefficiency of manual file organization, particularly for large volumes of media from cameras, drones, or collaborative projects. It eliminates repetitive tasks like creating nested folders or renaming files individually, reducing processing time from hours to minutes.
2. The primary target users include photographers, videographers, and digital archivists who manage extensive media libraries. It also serves designers, researchers, and professionals requiring systematic file management without reliance on cloud services.
3. Typical use cases include organizing photo shoots into dated archives, restructuring client project assets, and migrating legacy files into standardized naming conventions. It is equally effective for curating personal media collections or preparing files for backup systems.

Unique Advantages

1. Unlike cloud-dependent tools, Lifter operates fully offline with zero data collection, ensuring compliance with strict privacy policies. Its sandboxed design adheres to macOS security protocols, restricting file access to user-selected directories only.
2. The integration of MD5-based duplicate detection surpasses basic filename checks, providing cryptographic verification of file content. Combined with EXIF metadata parsing, this ensures accuracy unmatched by simple file managers or script-based solutions.
3. Competitive advantages include SwiftUI-native performance optimizations for Apple Silicon chips, reducing CPU/memory usage during large operations. The persistent configuration system remembers frequently used source/destination pairs and template preferences across sessions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How does Lifter prevent accidental overwriting of files?
   Lifter employs a three-layer protection system: MD5 hash comparison for content matching, Simulate Mode for pre-execution verification, and user-configurable duplicate handling (skip/rename/overwrite). All critical operations require explicit confirmation before modifying any files.

2. Can Lifter process files from external drives or network storage?
   Yes, Lifter supports any mounted volume accessible through macOS Finder, including USB drives, NAS devices, and cloud-synced directories. File operations maintain macOS permissions and metadata integrity across storage mediums.

3. What happens if the EXIF data is missing from my photos?
   Lifter automatically defaults to file creation/modification dates when EXIF timestamps are unavailable. Users can manually override dates through batch-editable metadata fields in the preview interface.

4. Is there a limit to the number of files Lifter can process simultaneously?
   While optimized for batches exceeding 10,000 files, Lifter processes items in memory-efficient chunks to prevent system strain. Performance scales with available RAM, though SSD read/write speeds typically become the limiting factor for ultra-large datasets.

5. Does Lifter support non-English date formats or calendar systems?
   Date tokens adhere to ISO 8601 standards by default (YYYY-MM-DD), but users can implement locale-specific formats through custom pattern strings. Calendar system support aligns with macOS’s core internationalization frameworks.