tmv

tmv is a powerful file sorting utility crafted entirely in Bash, designed to help automate the organization of files into designated folders based on customizable presets or glob patterns. This tool operates seamlessly via command line input or can be scheduled for automatic sorting through a systemd user timer, providing both flexibility and ease of use for file management.

Key Features

• Two Operating Modes: Use tmv interactively from the command line with pairs of <selector> <folder> arguments, or set it to run automatically at defined intervals with the help of systemd timers.

• Core Functionality: The utility relies on the tmv_move_matching <dir> <selector> <dest_name> function, ensuring consistent sorting logic regardless of the method of operation.

• Safety Measures: tmv is designed to protect files during the sorting process. It never overwrites existing files by appending numeric suffixes to avoid name collisions, and it only processes files directly within the target directory.

• User-Friendly Configuration: Users can define their sorting rules easily through an environment file (tmv.env). The rules are validated prior to execution, maintaining safety and functionality.

Installation and Directory Structure

Upon installation, tmv sets up a structured environment with all necessary files located in ~/.local/share/tmv/, including scripts and systemd service files for timer operations. This setup does not require root access, promoting a user-specific installation approach.

Structure Overview

tmv/
├── install.sh          # Installer script for setup
├── bin/
│   └── tmv             # Main executable with argument parsing
├── lib/
│   ├── presets.sh      # Mapping of presets to file extensions
│   ├── sorter.sh       # Core sorting logic
│   └── validate.sh     # Validator for environment file
├── systemd/
│   ├── tmv.service     # Service unit for manual sorting
│   └── tmv.timer       # Timer for scheduled sorting
├── examples/
│   └── tmv.env         # Example rules file
├── tests/
│   └── run.sh          # Manual testing script
└── DESIGN.md           # Document outlining design decisions and roadmap

Usage Examples

• Move all video files to the Videos folder:

$ tmv --video-files Videos

• Perform a dry run to see what would happen without moving any files:

$ tmv -n --images-files Pictures

• If using an environment file for multiple rules:

# Define your environment file
TARGET_DIR="$HOME/Downloads"
TARGET_FILES="--video-files"
DIR_NAME="Videos"

Monitoring and Adjustments

Users can manage the timer with commands to list next runs, force immediate sorts, or adjust the timer’s frequency. The default interval is set for every 15 minutes, but can be modified to suit user needs easily.

Through systematic organization of file types and configuring automated tasks, tmv cultivates a more organized digital workspace, enabling users to enhance productivity by minimizing manual sorting efforts.