Building an AI-Powered Filename Generator Chrome Extension
Building an AI-Powered Filename Generator Chrome Extension
Introduction
Managing files efficiently can be a challenge, especially when dealing with vague or cluttered filenames. To solve this, I developed the AI Filename Generator—a Chrome extension that intelligently renames files based on their content. This blog post will walk you through how I built it using my open-source repository: chrome-ai-filename-generator.
You can also install the extension directly from the Chrome Web Store: AI Filename Generator.
By the end of this post, you’ll understand the core technologies used, how to set up the extension, and the process of integrating AI into a simple yet effective Chrome tool.
Why Build an AI Filename Generator?
I often download files with generic names like document.pdf, image123.jpg, or scan_2024.png. Instead of manually renaming them, I wanted a tool that could:
- Analyze the file contents (text or metadata)
- Generate meaningful, structured filenames automatically
- Seamlessly integrate into Chrome’s download flow
This extension enhances productivity by making file organization smarter and faster.
Tech Stack Overview
This Chrome extension is built using:
- Manifest v3 – The latest Chrome extension framework
- JavaScript & HTML/CSS – For frontend interactions
- OpenAI API (or local AI models) – For intelligent filename generation
- Chrome Downloads API – To modify filenames upon download
- Webpack & Babel – For modern JavaScript compilation
How It Works
The AI Filename Generator intercepts file downloads and renames them using AI-generated suggestions. Here’s the high-level workflow:
- Intercept a File Download
- Using Chrome’s
downloads.onDeterminingFilenameAPI, the extension listens for download events.
- Using Chrome’s
- Analyze File Metadata
- Extracts information like file type, source URL, and content (if accessible).
- Send Data to AI Model
- Requests a relevant filename based on context.
- Rename the File
- Modifies the filename before saving it to disk.
Setting Up the Extension
Want to try it out or contribute? Follow these steps:
1. Clone the Repository
git clone https://github.com/kliewerdaniel/chrome-ai-filename-generator.git
cd chrome-ai-filename-generator
2. Install Dependencies
npm install
3. Build the Extension
npm run build
4. Load the Extension in Chrome
- Open
chrome://extensions/ - Enable Developer Mode (top-right corner)
- Click Load Unpacked and select the
dist/folder
Key Features Explained
1. Intercepting Downloads
chrome.downloads.onDeterminingFilename.addListener((downloadItem, suggest) => {
const originalFilename = downloadItem.filename;
getAIEnhancedFilename(originalFilename).then((newFilename) => {
suggest({ filename: newFilename });
});
});
This snippet listens for file downloads and passes the filename to our AI function.
2. Generating AI-Based Filenames
async function getAIEnhancedFilename(originalName) {
const response = await fetch("https://api.openai.com/v1/completions", {
method: "POST",
headers: {
"Authorization": `Bearer ${OPENAI_API_KEY}`,
"Content-Type": "application/json"
},
body: JSON.stringify({
model: "gpt-4",
prompt: `Suggest a meaningful filename for: ${originalName}`,
max_tokens: 10
})
});
const data = await response.json();
return data.choices[0].text.trim();
}
This function calls OpenAI’s API to generate a more descriptive filename based on the original one.
Future Improvements
While the current version is functional, there are some enhancements I plan to explore:
- Local LLM Support – Allowing users to run filename suggestions without an internet connection.
- Content-Based Naming – Extracting text from PDFs/images to generate even more accurate filenames.
- Customization Options – Letting users define filename formats (e.g., date-based, project-based).
Conclusion
The AI Filename Generator Chrome extension is a small but powerful tool that enhances file organization. By leveraging AI, we can automate mundane tasks like renaming files, ultimately improving productivity. If you’re interested, check out the GitHub repo and feel free to contribute!
You can also install the extension directly from the Chrome Web Store: AI Filename Generator.
What features would you like to see added? Let me know in the comments!
Featured Posts
Related Posts
Privacy Policy
February 23, 2025Privacy Policy for AI Filename Generator 1. Introduction The AI Filename Generator Chrome Extension respects your pr...
Read MoreRedDiss
February 14, 2025Repo Behind the Scenes of RedDiss: Crafting AI-Powered Diss Tracks from Reddit In the ever-evolving landscape of ...
Read MoreOllama Smolagents Open Deep Research Integration
February 05, 2025Unlocking Open-Source AI Power: How to Run Your Own Deep Research Agent with Ollama and Smolagents The AI landscape ...
Read More