Invoice Sorter#

Organize finance documents conservatively. Prefer inspection and a rename/move plan before making file changes.

Workflow#

1. Scan the target folder and identify likely invoice-like files.
2. Infer a practical structure from filenames and metadata first.
3. If document content must be read to classify correctly, sample a few files before doing broad changes.
4. Propose a naming and folder rule.
5. Execute batch renames or moves only after the rule is clear.
6. Produce a summary of what was moved, renamed, skipped, or flagged.

Good default folder structures#

Choose the simplest structure that matches the collection:

By year and month#

• YYYY/MM
• good for mixed bills and receipts

By vendor#

• Vendor/YYYY
• good for recurring suppliers

By document type#

• invoices/, receipts/, statements/, contracts/
• good when files are heterogeneous

Good filename patterns#

Prefer stable, sortable names such as:

• YYYY-MM-DD_vendor_amount_invoice.pdf
• YYYY-MM_vendor_invoice-number.pdf
• vendor_YYYY-MM_statement.pdf

Use lowercase and hyphens/underscores consistently.

Safety rules#

• Avoid deleting originals unless the user explicitly asks.
• If metadata is ambiguous, move uncertain files into a review/ folder instead of guessing.
• Preserve file extensions exactly.
• For very large batches, do a dry-run summary first.

Output pattern#

Report using:

• Detected files
• Proposed structure
• Planned renames/moves
• Ambiguous items
• Completed changes

Keep the plan auditable so the user can spot mistakes quickly.