# Rename a whole photo library

> Rename every photo in a folder of folders with Kettlemark, keeping each file in its folder, with a preview before anything changes.

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4.  Rename a library

If your photos are spread across folders, like one per year or per trip, Kettlemark can rename them all in one go. Each file stays in its own folder; only the name changes.

## 1\. Preview everything

Add `--recursive` to include every folder inside:

```bash
kettlemark preview ~/Pictures --recursive
```

For a large library, save the preview to a file and read it at your own pace:

```bash
kettlemark preview ~/Pictures --recursive > preview.txt
```

## 2\. Check the summary

The last lines tell you how many files would change and how many were skipped:

```
1,842 files will be renamed in 37 folders.
96 skipped: no date taken.
3 skipped: name already in use.
```

"Name already in use" means two photos were taken in the same second. See [duplicates](https://docs-demo.vagejs.com/docs/reference/configuration/#duplicates) for how Kettlemark handles them.

## 3\. Rename

```bash
kettlemark rename ~/Pictures --recursive
```

Kettlemark writes one `.kettlemark-log.json` in each folder it changes, so you can undo one folder without touching the others.

## Tips

-   Make a backup first if this is the only copy of your photos. Kettlemark only renames files, but a backup is always a good idea.
-   Leave out folders you don't want renamed with `--exclude`, for example `--exclude "Scans/**"`.

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