How to rename files for Plex, Kodi and Jellyfin

    Plex, Kodi and Jellyfin rely on file names and folder structure to identify content. This guide covers simple conventions + common mistakes.

    Movies: title + year

    For movies, the year is a strong signal: it helps disambiguate remakes and improves matching. A folder-per-movie structure is often more reliable.

    Movies/
  Dune (2021)/
    Dune (2021).mkv

  The Matrix (1999)/
    The Matrix (1999).mp4

    TV shows: S01E01 + season folders

    The S01E01 format is the most universal. Keep each season in a dedicated folder to reduce errors.

    TV Shows/
  Breaking Bad/
    Season 01/
      Breaking Bad - S01E01 - Pilot.mkv
      Breaking Bad - S01E02 - Cat's in the Bag....mkv

    Anime: numbering + specials

    Anime sometimes use different numbering (specials, OVAs, season 0). Using S00E01 for specials usually works well.

    Anime/
  Attack on Titan/
    Season 01/
      Attack on Titan - S01E01 - To You, in 2000 Years.mkv

    Specials/
      Attack on Titan - S00E01 - OVA 1.mkv

    Common mistakes to avoid

    • Naming 'Episode 1 final.mkv' without S01E01
    • Mixing multiple series in the same folder
    • Forgetting the year for ambiguous movie titles
    • Putting quality/codec in the middle of the title if it breaks matching

    Bulk rename with RenameFlow

    Ideal workflow: import a full folder, match (TMDB/TheTVDB/AniDB), review results, then apply bulk rename. If you're comparing tools, also check RenameFlow vs FileBot.