Stencil is a desktop app for batch-renaming files and directories without scripting. Its defining feature is a queue of rename operations: each rule builds on the previous result, while a live preview shows the original and proposed names before changes are applied. LinuxLinks describes it as designed for GNOME, but reports evaluating it under KDE Plasma on CachyOS, so GNOME is not presented as a requirement.
What Stencil does
This Stencil is the Linux file-renaming utility, not the unrelated graphic-design service that uses the same name. In a review published October 6, 2026, LinuxLinks describes the app as free and open source, written in Rust with GTK4 and libadwaita, developed by René Fouquet, and licensed under GNU GPL version 3.0. Those identity and technology details are reported by the review; current upstream project materials were not independently verified.
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The app is intended for people who need to apply repeatable naming rules to many files or folders at once. Rather than writing a script, users assemble operations in the interface and inspect the proposed results.
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How the operation queue and preview work
Stencil’s central workflow is a sequence of rename operations. Each operation acts on the output of the one before it, so order matters: for example, a cleanup rule can run before a numbering rule. The review says users can reorder or duplicate operations and see the preview update. Original and proposed names appear side by side, giving users a chance to inspect the combined result before applying it.
#1 Best Overall
- USB-C 2-in-1 storage OTG: The Lexar JumpDrive Dual Drive D40E features USB Type-A and Type-C connectors in a slim, portable form factor for easy device compatibility
- Transfer speeds up to 100MB/s: Based on internal testing, performance may vary depending upon the host device, interface, and usage conditions. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes
- Plug and Play: Widely compatible with USB Type-C smartphones, tablets, laptops, Macs, and traditional Type-A devices, no software installation required. The 360° swivel design allows for easy switching between connectors without the hassle of losing a cap
- Durable & Compact: The Lexar D40E USB memory stick features a metal enclosure, withstands temperatures from 0° to 50° C (32°F to 122°F), and is lightweight at 26g with dimensions of 70.4 x 16.9 x 11.7mm
- Security & Warranty: Securely protects files using an advanced security software solution with 256-bit AES encryption. Backed by a Lexar 3-year limited warranty
Files and folders can be added using a chooser or drag and drop. Folder loading can include subdirectories. Settings can target the selected folder itself, its contents, or both; hidden files are ignored by default, according to LinuxLinks.
Rename operations Stencil supports
The reviewed operation set covers routine cleanup as well as metadata-based naming. Available options described by LinuxLinks include:
Rank #2
- High-speed USB 3.0 performance of up to 150MB/s(1) [(1) Write to drive up to 15x faster than standard USB 2.0 drives (4MB/s); varies by drive capacity. Up to 150MB/s read speed. USB 3.0 port required. Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending on host device, usage conditions, and other factors; 1MB=1,000,000 bytes]
- Transfer a full-length movie in less than 30 seconds(2) [(2) Based on 1.2GB MPEG-4 video transfer with USB 3.0 host device. Results may vary based on host device, file attributes and other factors]
- Transfer to drive up to 15 times faster than standard USB 2.0 drives(1)
- Sleek, durable metal casing
- Easy-to-use password protection for your private files(3) [(3)Password protection uses 128-bit AES encryption and is supported by Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, and Mac OS X v10.9 plus; Software download required for Mac, visit the SanDisk SecureAccess support page]
- Text and formatting: insert text, replace literal text or regular-expression matches, change capitalization, and clean up whitespace.
- Extensions and numbering: change file extensions and add numbers with adjustable starting values, increments, and padding.
- Dates and folders: use the current date or file timestamps, and build names using parent-folder names through a Folder Name operation.
- Media metadata: use music details such as track number and title; photo details such as year, month, day, and camera; and video details such as recording date, resolution, duration, and codec.
Metadata patterns can replace a name or add a prefix or suffix. The review notes that missing metadata can leave gaps in the resulting names, making the preview especially useful for checking a proposed pattern against the files in the batch.
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Conflict checks, presets, and undo
LinuxLinks reports that Stencil detects filename conflicts and blocks a rename by default until conflicts are resolved. An alternative policy appends numbers to avoid collisions. The review also describes presets as starting points, saved custom operation queues that can be exchanged as JSON files, and an undo option for completed batches.
Rank #3
- What You Get - 2 pack 64GB genuine USB 2.0 flash drives, 12-month warranty and lifetime friendly customer service
- Great for All Ages and Purposes – the thumb drives are suitable for storing digital data for school, business or daily usage. Apply to data storage of music, photos, movies and other files
- Easy to Use - Plug and play USB memory stick, no need to install any software. Support Windows 7 / 8 / 10 / Vista / XP / Unix / 2000 / ME / NT Linux and Mac OS, compatible with USB 2.0 and 1.1 ports
- Convenient Design - 360°metal swivel cap with matt surface and ring designed zip drive can protect USB connector, avoid to leave your fingerprint and easily attach to your key chain to avoid from losing and for easy carrying
- Brand Yourself - Brand the flash drive with your company's name and provide company's overview, policies, etc. to the newly joined employees or your customers
These are capabilities reported in the review, not independently tested recovery guarantees. Before applying any bulk rename, inspect the preview and ensure important files are backed up if an incorrect name would create a serious problem.
Installation and compatibility limits
LinuxLinks reports installing Stencil from Flathub on CachyOS with this command:
Rank #4
- GOOD VALUE PACKAGE - 1 Pack 32GB Memory Stick USB 2.0 Flash Drives with great cost performance and high quality.
- BIG CAPACITY - The available capacity: 29.10GB-29.8GB, You can save the data of movies, music, photos, designs, programs, manuals, handouts in a high speed.Good performance in digital data storing, transferring and sharing with families, friends, workmates, clients and machines.
- EASY TO USE & PLUG AND WORK - Support windows 7 / 8 / 10 / Vista / XP / 2000 / ME / NT Linux and Mac OS, Compatible with USB2.0 and below.
- TWISTTURN DESIGN & EASY CARRY - The metal clip rotates 360° round the ABS plastic body which with rubber oil skin feeling finish. The capless design can avoid lossing of cap, and providing efficient protection to the USB port.
- WARRANTY & SUPPORT - SIMMAX logo is laser printed on the USB connector surface, our products are of good quality and we promise that any problem about the product within one year since you buy.
flatpak install flathub me.fouquet.StencilThe reviewer says the installation completed without errors and evaluated the app under KDE Plasma. That establishes one reported setup, not compatibility with every Linux distribution or desktop environment. The available evidence does not establish a current version number, official compatibility matrix, or present release status. Check the current Flathub listing and upstream project information before relying on a particular package or feature.
How it compares with other renamers
LinuxLinks names KRename and GPRename as alternatives. In that review’s characterization, KRename offers a broader toolkit, including plugins and the ability to copy or move files while renaming, while GPRename is suited to straightforward cleanup. This is a limited review-level comparison, not a current feature-by-feature assessment.
Best Value
- 【16GB Flash Drive】USB flash drives with 16GB capacity, meet your needs of daily use on work, school, home and travelling for photos, music, videos, files storage and transfer. IMEASON thumb drives can be used to store different files, easy to data backup.
- 【Metal Swivel Cap Design】USB thumb drive is metal swivel cover provides extra protection for the usb thumbdrive connector, no usb drive cap to lose; keychain design makes it easier to carry without worrying lose it.
- 【Wide Compatibility】USB drive supports Windows 7/8/10/11 / Vista / XP / Unix / 2000 / ME / NT Linux and Mac OS, also Supports USB 2.0 and 1.1 ports. USB Stick support TV, desktop, notebook computer, car, audio and other device. The USB Memory Stick is your great data storage and transfer companion with traveling and working.
- 【Easy to use】usb memory stick is plug and play without any software installation. Just simply plug the Flashdrive into the port of your USB-compatible devices such as computer, laptop to start data storage or transmission.
- 【What You Get】16 GB USB Flash Drive Thumb Drive, The default format of the usb storage flash drive is FAT32.
Stencil is most distinct in the described workflow: a composable operation queue paired with a live side-by-side preview, plus reported conflict handling, presets, and undo. Whether it is the better choice depends on the operations needed and the reader’s Linux setup; broad comparative support and current release details are not established here.
Sources and scope
The feature and installation descriptions above are attributed to the LinuxLinks review dated October 6, 2026: Stencil – powerful batch file renamer with live previews. An unrelated namesake graphic-design service describes social-image previews, not file renaming: getstencil.com.
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