823 lines
16 KiB
Markdown
823 lines
16 KiB
Markdown
# Explorer Workbench - Backlog
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> Personal file management workbench.
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>
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> Goal: Make working with files faster - not necessarily the filesystem itself.
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>
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> **Primary success metric:** One happy customer. 😎
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---
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## Core Principles
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### Windows remains the source of truth
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Explorer Workbench may discover, index, display and organize Windows resources, but should not silently modify Windows configuration.
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Example:
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- Removing `Z:` from Workbench removes the Workbench location and its index data.
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- It does **not** disconnect the Windows network drive.
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- Existing Windows resources should be discoverable/importable again.
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### Workbench owns the workflow
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Specialized tools may provide execution capabilities.
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Possible providers:
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- Robocopy - robust file transfers
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- 7-Zip - archive operations
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- FFmpeg - media conversion
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- Git - repository operations
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Explorer Workbench provides:
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- UI
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- orchestration
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- metadata
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- index
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- profiles
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- queue
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- status
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- history
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### File Operations Queue is the execution engine
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Whenever possible, features that modify files should create operations instead of modifying the filesystem directly.
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Examples:
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- Copy
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- Move
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- Recycle
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- Delete
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- Rename
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- Extract
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- Compress
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- Convert
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- Sync
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- Reorganize
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### Analyze aggressively, modify conservatively
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Analysis may be ambitious.
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Filesystem modifications should be predictable, reviewable and safe.
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Complex operations should preferably follow:
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`Analyze -> Preview -> Operation Plan -> Queue -> Execute`
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### Configuration rule
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If both behaviors are useful depending on the situation:
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**Make it an option.**
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---
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# Current Features
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## Navigation
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- [x] Group locations into `This PC`, `Network` and `Cloud`
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- [x] Optional grouping via Settings
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- [x] Remove locations from Workbench
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- [x] Remove associated index/database data
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- [x] Do not modify Windows mappings when removing Workbench locations
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- [x] Add network/cloud locations
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- [x] Discover/import existing Windows network drives
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- [x] Restore a previously removed Workbench location from Windows discovery
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## UI
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- [x] Classic application menu
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- [x] Icon-based toolbar
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- [x] Settings dialog
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- [x] Help menu with About and in-app Documentation
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- [x] Expandable Settings architecture
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- [x] Show `Free Space` next to `Size` where meaningful
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- [x] Consistent capacity information for local/network/cloud providers
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- [x] Organize folder (classify → preview → queue moves)
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## Search / Index
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- [x] Central filesystem index
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- [x] Fast indexed search
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- [ ] Search offline locations
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- [x] Search archive contents
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- [ ] Store originating machine/location
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- [ ] Multi-PC search
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- [ ] Richer metadata indexing
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## Storage Analysis
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- [x] Storage usage analysis
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- [x] WinDirStat-style functionality
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- [x] Duplicate detection
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- [x] Duplicate classification
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- [x] Distinguish intentional duplicates
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- [x] Recognize Sync copies
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- [ ] Recognize Backup copies
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- [x] Detect hardlinks
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---
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# File Operations Queue
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## Implemented
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- [x] Central File Operations Queue
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- [x] Copy
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- [x] Move
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- [x] Move to Recycle Bin
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- [x] Queue Rename
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- [x] Queue Extract
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- [x] Queue Compress
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- [x] Sequential execution
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- [x] Pause / Resume
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- [x] Pause all
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- [x] Progress display
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- [x] Queue status
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- [x] Reorder operations
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- [x] Remove queued operations
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- [x] Clear finished operations
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- [x] Auto-clear when done
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- [x] Compact queue status in main UI
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- [x] Persist queue across Workbench restarts
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- [x] Retry failed operations
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- [x] `Waiting for destination` state
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- [x] Resume automatically when destination becomes available
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- [x] Handle temporarily unavailable network shares
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- [x] Handle removable media (wait until reachable)
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- [x] Detect file locks (Failed + Retry)
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- [x] Operation history (append-only)
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## Planned
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- [ ] Conflict resolution
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- [x] Undo last rename batch
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- [ ] Undo copy / move
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- [ ] Resource-aware scheduling
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### Resource-aware scheduling
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Potential future behavior:
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Instead of always running exactly one operation, allow concurrent operations when they do not compete for the same I/O resources.
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Example:
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`C: -> D:` and `NAS -> USB` may run simultaneously.
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Two operations using the same physical source/target should normally remain serialized.
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---
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# Protected Windows Filesystem Locations
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## Visibility
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- [x] Hidden file support
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- [x] Setting: `Show protected system locations`
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- [x] Detect `FileAttributes.Hidden`
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- [x] Detect `FileAttributes.System`
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- [x] Classify known protected Windows locations
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- [x] Distinguish `Access denied` from empty folders
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Known examples:
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- `System Volume Information`
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- `$RECYCLE.BIN`
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- `Recovery`
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- `pagefile.sys`
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- `hiberfil.sys`
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## Size calculation
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Never display:
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`0 B`
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when the actual state is:
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`Unknown because access was denied`
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Possible states:
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- Calculated
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- Partial
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- Unknown
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- Access denied
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## Elevated scan
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- [ ] Detect when elevation would provide additional information
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- [ ] Optional elevated/deep scan
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- [ ] Never silently elevate
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- [ ] Keep normal Workbench operation non-elevated
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## Recycle Bin
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- [x] Classify `$RECYCLE.BIN` specially
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- [x] Do not expose it merely as a normal filesystem folder
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- [x] Show logical Recycle Bin information
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- [x] Number of deleted items
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- [x] Used space
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- [x] Open Recycle Bin
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- [x] Empty Recycle Bin
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---
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# Folder Sync
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Goal: Replace the relevant AllSync workflows.
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## Sync modes
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- [x] Copy / Update
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- [x] Mirror
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- [ ] Two-way sync
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- [ ] Versioned backup
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Two-way sync should be implemented later because it requires proper conflict and deletion tracking.
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## Integration
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- [x] Analyze differences
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- [x] Generate operation plan
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- [x] Submit operations to File Operations Queue
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- [x] Preview before execution
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- [x] Conflict detection
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- [ ] Sync history
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## Offline / removable locations
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- [x] Detect target availability
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- [x] Wait when target is offline
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- [x] Automatically continue when target returns
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- [x] Identify removable media using stable volume identity
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- [x] Do not depend only on drive letters
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- [x] Trigger sync when known media is connected
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Example:
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`When PhotosBackup becomes available -> run Photos Sync`
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## Duplicate awareness
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Files intentionally created by Folder Sync should be marked as intentional duplicates.
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Possible classification:
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- `Accidental`
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- `Synchronized`
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- `Backup`
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- `Unknown`
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The Duplicate Finder hides intentional duplicates by default. Sync and backup tags are written when those operations exist.
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---
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# Batch Rename
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Goal: Replace FileRenamer workflows.
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## Rename rules
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- [x] Search / Replace
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- [x] Regex
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- [x] Prefix
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- [x] Suffix
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- [x] Counter
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- [x] Counter padding
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- [x] Case conversion
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- [x] Extension handling
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- [ ] Metadata placeholders
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Potential placeholders:
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- `{CreatedDate}`
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- `{ModifiedDate}`
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- `{Counter}`
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- `{Width}`
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- `{Height}`
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- `{Artist}`
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- `{Title}`
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- `{Project}`
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- `{Extension}`
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## Workflow
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`Select -> Configure -> Preview -> Validate -> Queue`
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- [x] Preview all resulting names
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- [x] Detect collisions
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- [x] Detect invalid filenames
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- [x] Add Rename operations to File Operations Queue
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- [x] Store `OldPath -> NewPath`
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- [x] Support Undo for completed rename batches
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---
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# File Operation Profiles
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Reusable workflows built from Workbench operations.
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## Core
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- [x] Create profile
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- [x] Edit profile
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- [x] Delete profile
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- [x] Duplicate profile
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- [x] Run profile
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- [x] Preview operation plan
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- [x] Add resulting operations to queue
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## Example: Archive Project
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1. Verify Git status
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2. Require clean working tree
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3. Exclude `.git`, `bin`, `obj`, `.vs`
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4. Compress using 7-Zip
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5. Generate SHA-256
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6. Copy archive to NAS
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7. Verify destination
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8. Recycle source only if all previous steps succeeded
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## Example: Phone Videos
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1. Find matching videos
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2. Convert to configured format
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3. Preserve timestamps
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4. Copy converted files to Media
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5. Archive originals
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6. Queue cleanup
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## Example: Clean Downloads
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Classify files and propose:
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- Installers -> Software
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- Images -> Pictures
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- Video -> Media
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- Archives -> Archive
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- Git repositories -> Development
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- Unknown -> Leave untouched
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Available as **Tools → Organize folder…** and **Organize this folder…** on a directory. Suggestions only; nothing moves until Queue.
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## Profile triggers
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- [x] Manual
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- [x] Context menu: `Run Profile`
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- [x] Drag files onto profile
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- [x] When location becomes available
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- [x] When removable media is connected
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- [ ] Scheduled
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- [ ] Folder watcher
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---
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# Archives
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## Supported concepts
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- [x] ZIP
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- [x] 7z
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- [x] RAR
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- [x] Additional archive formats through providers
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## Indexing
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- [x] Scan archive contents without extraction
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- [x] Add archive entries to search index
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- [x] Search inside archives
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- [x] Display archive path as virtual hierarchy
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Example search result:
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`\\NAS\Archive\2019-backup.7z\Projects\Explorer\README.md`
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even when the NAS is currently offline.
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## Operations
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- [x] Extract
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- [x] Compress
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- [x] Add to archive
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- [x] Verify archive
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- [x] Queue archive operations
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Potential provider:
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`7-Zip`
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---
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# File Classification
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Goal: Understand what files and folders represent rather than relying only on extensions.
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## Initial categories
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- [x] Media (Photos / Video / Audio)
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- [x] Photos
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- [x] Video
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- [x] Audio
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- [x] Documents
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- [x] Code repositories
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- [x] Installers
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- [x] Backups (classified; left in place)
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- [x] Archives
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- [x] System data
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- [x] Unknown
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## Detection signals
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- [x] File extension
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- [ ] MIME/content signature
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- [x] Folder structure
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- [x] Git metadata
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- [ ] Media metadata
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- [x] Known application structures (`node_modules`, `bin`, `obj`, `.vs`)
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- [x] File age (old installers flagged in preview)
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- [ ] File relationships
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- [ ] Index metadata
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---
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# Reorganization / Consolidation
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Use file classification and metadata to propose better organization.
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## Concepts
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- [x] Analyze directory
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- [x] Classify contents
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- [x] Detect misplaced files
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- [ ] Detect redundant files
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- [x] Detect old installers
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- [x] Detect old build output
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- [ ] Detect archived projects
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- [x] Generate reorganization proposal
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- [x] Preview proposed operations
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- [x] Submit approved operations to queue
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Important:
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**Never automatically reorganize based only on classification.**
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Always prefer:
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`Analyze -> Suggest -> Review -> Queue`
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---
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# Multi-PC
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Goal: Search and manage the user's complete file environment rather than only the current PC.
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## Machines
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- [ ] Register Workbench machine
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- [ ] Assign machine identity
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- [ ] Store machine name with indexed files
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- [ ] Track last-seen timestamp
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- [ ] Track online/offline state
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## Search
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Example:
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Search: `wallet.dat`
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Results:
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- `Desktop-PC -> D:\Backup\wallet.dat`
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- `Laptop -> C:\Archive\wallet.dat`
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- `NAS -> backup-2019.7z\Crypto\wallet.dat`
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## Offline behavior
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- [ ] Keep index searchable while machine is offline
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- [ ] Show last known location
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- [ ] Show last indexed timestamp
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- [ ] Queue operations requiring offline machine
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- [ ] Resume when machine becomes available
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## Future
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- [ ] Transfer files between Workbench machines
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- [ ] Remote filesystem browsing
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- [ ] Remote indexing
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- [ ] Shared operation queue / agent model
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---
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# Secure Storage
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## Concepts
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- [ ] CryptDrive/Vault integration
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- [ ] Secure Storage location category
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- [ ] Detect mounted/unmounted state
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- [ ] Index policy for encrypted locations
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- [ ] Optional metadata-only index
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- [ ] Security-sensitive search behavior
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Workbench should preferably integrate existing encryption technology rather than implement cryptography itself.
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---
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# Conversion
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Conversions should be represented as File Operations.
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## Media
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Potential provider:
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`FFmpeg`
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Possible operations:
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- [ ] Video conversion
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- [ ] Audio conversion
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- [ ] Codec conversion
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- [ ] Resolution conversion
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- [ ] Extract audio
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- [ ] Generate thumbnails
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## Images
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- [ ] HEIC -> JPEG
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- [ ] PNG -> JPEG
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- [ ] Resize
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- [ ] Rotate
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- [ ] Metadata preservation/removal
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## Workflow
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Conversions should support:
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`Input -> Conversion Profile -> Preview -> Queue`
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and be usable inside File Operation Profiles.
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---
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# Git Integration
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Workbench should recognize repositories but not reimplement Git.
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Potential provider:
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`git`
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## Repository detection
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- [x] Detect Git repositories
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- [x] Show current branch
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- [x] Show modified count
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- [x] Show untracked count
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- [x] Show ahead/behind state
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Example:
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`Explorer-Workbench main 3 modified 1 untracked`
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## Actions
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- [ ] Status
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- [ ] View Changes
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- [ ] Commit
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- [ ] Pull
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- [ ] Push
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- [ ] Fetch
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- [x] Open terminal here
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- [x] Open in Cursor
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## Profiles
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Git state may be used as a profile condition.
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Example:
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`Archive Project`
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requires:
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`Working tree clean`
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before archive operations continue.
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---
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# Sharing
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## Basic sharing
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- [ ] Share file
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- [ ] Share folder
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- [ ] Copy share link
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- [ ] Temporary shares
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- [ ] Expiration
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- [ ] Password protection
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- [ ] Read-only permissions
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## Providers
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Potential integrations:
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- [ ] Nextcloud
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- [ ] Network shares
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- [ ] Other cloud providers
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## Package for Sharing
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Example profile:
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1. Exclude unnecessary files
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2. Clean temporary data
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3. Compress
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4. Encrypt
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5. Upload
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6. Create expiring share link
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7. Copy link to clipboard
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8. Queue temporary archive cleanup
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---
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# External Tool / Provider Integration
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## Robocopy
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Status:
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**Documentation review / knowledge transfer pending. 😏**
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Potential uses:
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- [ ] Restartable copies
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- [ ] Network transfers
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- [ ] Retry handling
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- [ ] Backup-mode access
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- [ ] Mirror operations
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- [ ] Metadata/ACL preservation
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Possible architecture:
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|
|
|
`RobocopyTransferProvider`
|
|
|
|
Workbench retains ownership of:
|
|
|
|
- Queue
|
|
- Progress
|
|
- State
|
|
- UI
|
|
- Retry policy
|
|
- History
|
|
|
|
Robocopy performs selected low-level transfers.
|
|
|
|
## 7-Zip
|
|
|
|
`SevenZipArchiveExecutor` (`IArchiveExecutor`)
|
|
|
|
Discovery: Settings path, then Program Files, then PATH. Missing 7-Zip fails the queued job with an install hint. 7-Zip is not bundled.
|
|
|
|
## FFmpeg
|
|
|
|
Potential:
|
|
|
|
`MediaConversionProvider`
|
|
|
|
## Git
|
|
|
|
`WindowsGitStatusProvider` (`IGitStatusProvider`)
|
|
|
|
Discovery: Settings path, then Program Files, then PATH. Missing git.exe means no badge. Git is not bundled. Workbench does not commit, push, or pull.
|
|
|
|
Potential later:
|
|
|
|
`IGitCommandProvider`
|
|
|
|
---
|
|
|
|
# Future Intelligence
|
|
|
|
## File relationships
|
|
|
|
Workbench should eventually understand relationships between files.
|
|
|
|
Examples:
|
|
|
|
- Duplicate
|
|
- Sync copy
|
|
- Backup copy
|
|
- Converted version
|
|
- Archived version
|
|
- Renamed version
|
|
- Source/output relationship
|
|
|
|
This allows questions such as:
|
|
|
|
> Which duplicates are accidental?
|
|
|
|
instead of merely:
|
|
|
|
> Which files have the same hash?
|
|
|
|
## Forgotten Files
|
|
|
|
Potential analysis:
|
|
|
|
- Files not modified for many years
|
|
- Files not accessed for many years
|
|
- Old backups
|
|
- Forgotten projects
|
|
- Large unused files
|
|
- Old installers
|
|
- Historical archives
|
|
|
|
Possible feature name:
|
|
|
|
`Forgotten Files`
|
|
|
|
---
|
|
|
|
# Architectural Direction
|
|
|
|
Long-term conceptual model:
|
|
|
|
Filesystems / Providers
|
|
|
|
|
v
|
|
Scanner
|
|
|
|
|
v
|
|
Metadata Index
|
|
|
|
|
v
|
|
Intelligence Layer
|
|
|
|
|
+-----+-----+
|
|
| |
|
|
v v
|
|
Workbench Profiles
|
|
| |
|
|
+-----+-----+
|
|
|
|
|
v
|
|
File Operations Queue
|
|
|
|
|
v
|
|
Execution Providers
|
|
|
|
The Workbench should increasingly understand:
|
|
|
|
- What is this?
|
|
- Where is it?
|
|
- Which machine has it?
|
|
- Is it currently available?
|
|
- Is there another copy?
|
|
- Why does another copy exist?
|
|
- Is it part of a sync or backup?
|
|
- How much space does it consume?
|
|
- What operations are safe?
|
|
- What does the user want to do with it?
|
|
|
|
---
|
|
|
|
# Replaced / Potentially Replaced Tools
|
|
|
|
| Tool | Workbench capability |
|
|
| --- | --- |
|
|
| Windows Explorer | Navigation / file management |
|
|
| WinDirStat | Storage analysis |
|
|
| WhereIsIt? | Indexed catalog / offline search |
|
|
| AllSync | Folder synchronization |
|
|
| FileRenamer | Batch rename |
|
|
| Archive tools | Archive workflows |
|
|
| Conversion tools | Profile-driven conversion |
|
|
| Various sharing workflows | Integrated sharing |
|
|
|
|
The goal is not necessarily to completely replace every specialized tool.
|
|
|
|
The goal is to make Explorer Workbench the **central working environment** from which those capabilities are orchestrated.
|
|
|
|
---
|
|
|
|
# Definition of Done
|
|
|
|
Explorer Workbench is never truly finished.
|
|
|
|
A feature is useful when it improves the actual workflow of the primary user.
|
|
|
|
A release is successful when:
|
|
|
|
> Domi realizes he has not voluntarily opened Windows Explorer all week.
|
|
|
|
😎 |