Naming rules control the file name itself, independent of the folder template. A clear, consistent rule prevents the “final_final_v2” problem and keeps search and sorting predictable.
Default rule
{date} - {title}.{ext}
Set your own under Settings → Archive → File name rule.
Useful tokens
{title}— the video title.{date}— upload date,YYYY-MM-DD.{channel}— creator name.{resolution}— for example1080p.{id}— stable source identifier.{n}— a counter for items that share a name.
Sanitization
Operating systems reject certain characters in file names. Dingdok automatically:
- Replaces
/ \ : * ? " < > |with_. - Trims trailing dots and spaces (invalid on Windows).
- Collapses repeated spaces.
- Limits the whole path to a safe length, moving the overflow into
{id}.
You do not need to escape anything in the rule; sanitization runs after token substitution.
Keeping duplicates distinct
Add {n} to append a counter when two items would otherwise resolve to the same name:
{date} - {title} ({n}).{ext}
The first copy keeps the plain name; later copies get (1), (2), and so on.
Characters and unicode
Unicode letters and emoji are preserved, so a Japanese or Arabic title keeps its script. Compatibility normalisation is applied so the same title looks identical across platforms.
Previewing changes
The field shows a live preview for a sample item. Nothing is renamed until you save and confirm, and renaming never touches files outside the folders Dingdok manages.
Troubleshooting
- Name is shortened unexpectedly: the path exceeded the OS limit; add
{id}so the tail is unique. - Counter appears when you did not expect it: a same-named file already existed; that is the duplicate guard working.
- Old files are not renamed: rules apply to new downloads; use Archive → Rename existing to migrate old names.
Next steps
Review "Use folder templates" to decide the directory structure your names sit inside.