Rename Files with AI for Free: Your First 50 in Zush
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Zush FREE includes 50 AI file renames on Mac and Windows. Start with Zush Cloud AI: you do not need a separate AI provider account or a local model. Add a few files, review the suggested names, and apply the changes. Rename History lets you restore the original filenames afterward.
The 50-renames allowance is shared across Zush Cloud AI, BYOK, LM Studio, and Ollama. Switching modes does not create another allowance. BYOK provider charges are separate; local modes require a compatible model running on your computer.
Rename your first batch for free
- Install Zush for Mac or Windows. Open the app and select Zush Cloud AI in AI Modes. This route includes managed AI without your own API key.
- Add a small test folder. Copy five to ten screenshots, photos, or documents into it, then add those copies to AI Rename. Use files whose contents you can check easily.
- Choose a Template. Start with Smart Rename for descriptive titles. Set the language and formatting you want; add Naming Blocks if the name needs specific fields.
- Review the suggestions. Compare each proposed title with the file. Correct invented or missing details, check extensions, and deselect anything you do not want to rename.
- Apply the selected names. Open a few renamed files to check the result. Use Rename History to restore the original names if needed.
For example, the screenshot shows Employee Performance.docx with the suggested title Employee Performance Review Form. Check that the title describes your own document before applying it. A useful name helps you recognize the content; extra words alone do not improve it.
The batch rename instructions explain review controls in more detail. For recurring files, save a working Template before enabling folder monitoring.
What is included in the free plan?
| Zush mode | What you need | Free allowance | Setup guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zush Cloud AI | Internet connection; no separate provider key | 50 renames shared across all four modes | AI modes |
| BYOK | Gemini, OpenRouter, OpenAI, or Claude key; provider charges or quotas may apply | Same shared allowance | BYOK setup |
| LM Studio | Downloaded vision-capable model and local server | Same shared allowance | LM Studio setup |
| Ollama | Downloaded vision-capable model and local server | Same shared allowance | Ollama setup |
Use Cloud AI for the shortest setup. Choose BYOK if you already have a supported provider account. Choose LM Studio or Ollama when you want supported analysis to run locally. Preview, Templates, and Rename History stay part of the Zush workflow across these modes.
Can I use local AI for free?
Yes, within the same 50-renames Zush allowance. Install LM Studio or Ollama, download a compatible vision model, and test the local connection in Zush before adding files. Model downloads need disk space, and memory requirements depend on the model you choose.
After setup, local models can analyze supported files without a cloud AI provider. A local mode does not remove the FREE app limit. Follow the offline AI file renamer setup for connection checks and a small offline test.
An open-source script is a different workflow: you would need to configure file extraction, a model, previews, collision handling, and recovery yourself. This guide uses Zush so the first test includes those desktop review controls.
Make the first 50 renames useful
Start with filenames that hide useful content: timestamp-only screenshots, downloaded PDFs, scans, and generic exports. Use one Template on a few files before processing a full folder. Keep dates, invoice numbers, and other identifiers only when you can verify them in the source.
If a folder only needs a common prefix or a numbered sequence, content analysis may be unnecessary. Save the AI allowance for files that need different descriptions drawn from their contents.
What happens after 50 renames?
Zush PRO removes the app’s rename limit at $10/month or $48 one-time. Managed Zush Cloud AI is included. If you choose BYOK, your provider bills API usage separately; LM Studio and Ollama use your own hardware. See current pricing and plan limits.
Before upgrading, check whether the names help you find your files and whether your Template works on recurring examples. Review and undo a small batch before automating a folder.
FAQ
Is Zush free on both Mac and Windows?
Yes. Zush FREE includes 50 renames shared across Zush Cloud AI, BYOK, LM Studio, and Ollama on Mac and Windows.
Do I need an API key?
No. Zush Cloud AI includes managed processing without your own provider key. BYOK is optional.
Does switching to Ollama or LM Studio reset the allowance?
No. All four modes use the same 50-renames FREE allowance. PRO removes the app limit; local models do not bypass it.
Can I review names before files change?
Yes. Zush displays suggested names before you apply the selected batch. Check the content, edit uncertain suggestions, and leave unwanted changes unselected.
Can I undo a batch?
Yes. Rename History records original and new names and lets you revert an applied batch. Test this on copied files before renaming files linked from another application.
Try your first batch
Get Zush for Mac or Zush for Windows, add five to ten copied files, and follow the preview-and-apply steps above. Your first 50 renames let you check the workflow on your own files.
