iLevyTate · Nov 12, 2026 · Nov 12, 2026 · Nov 12, 2026
@@ -349,6 +349,7 @@ jobs:
             "- Tesseract OCR is auto-installed or uses bundled tesseract.js fallback.",
             "- Use **Download Base Models** after install to enable AI features.",
             '- **Windows:** the Setup installer is the recommended download and updates itself. The `-win-x64.zip` runs without installing: extract it once to a short folder such as `C:\StratoSort` and start `StratoSort Stack.exe`; it does not auto-update.',
+            ('- **macOS:** download `StratoSortStack-{0}-mac-arm64.dmg` for a Mac with Apple Silicon (M1 or later) or `StratoSortStack-{0}-mac-x64.dmg` for an Intel Mac. To check, open the Apple menu and choose **About This Mac**: "Chip" means Apple Silicon, "Processor" means Intel.' -f $version),
             $releaseIntegrityNote,
             $macIntegrityNote,
             "- See the [Install Guide](https://stratosort.com/docs/INSTALL_GUIDE.html) for Windows, Mac & Linux — one download, no CLI.",

@@ -14,6 +14,29 @@ adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0.html).
 
 ### Fixed
 
+- **Two identical files in one folder are no longer both sent to the trash when one run renames or
+  moves them.** Each was taken for a copy of the other that was already in place, so both were
+  removed instead of moved, and the run could then fail and be undone with the two files missing
+  from the folder. A file the same run has still to move no longer counts as a copy already in
+  place, and renaming a file inside its own folder never removes it. A file removed this way went to
+  the system trash.
+- **An organize run that did not move everything says so and stays on the Organize screen.** A
+  banner above the file list says how many files moved, how many did not and why, or that the whole
+  run was undone and the files are back where they were. Before, a run that failed part-way or was
+  undone could move on to the Complete screen as if it had worked. An identical copy that was
+  removed instead of moved is listed as a duplicate, with the copy that was kept, and is no longer
+  counted as a moved file.
+- **Files that are already in the folder chosen for them are pointed out before the run.** When a
+  folder you sort from is also one of your Smart Folders, files matched to it stay where they are
+  (or are renamed there). A notice on the Organize screen and a mark in Preview now say which, so a
+  run no longer reports files as organized while nothing appears anywhere new.
+- **A folder on an external or second drive can be a Smart Folder, can be scanned and can have
+  folders created in it.** These were refused for any folder outside your user folder, with a
+  message about a link or short name. Folders inside system folders, or reached through a link that
+  leads into one, are still refused. A folder that is not inside a Smart Folder or Documents and was
+  not picked in a file dialog is confirmed once in a prompt.
+- **A folder the app will not scan, or cannot read, gives the reason.** Choosing or dropping such a
+  folder on the Discover screen said that no files were found.
 - **An image that arrives just as a text model starts loading no longer starts the vision runtime
   beside it.** The image looked for a loading model before the load began and found none. The vision
   runtime now checks the memory budget again at the moment it starts; if a load began meanwhile, the
@@ -25,6 +48,38 @@ adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0.html).
 - **A text model larger than the memory budget no longer unloads models that hold no GPU memory.**
   An embedding model on the CPU and Whisper on the CPU were unloaded to make room, which freed
   nothing, and were loaded again for the next file.
+- **A short category is no longer taken for a misspelling of a short Smart Folder name.** Any name
+  within two letters of a folder's name counted as that folder, so a file labeled "SEO" could be
+  sent to a folder named "Web" or "Dev". The allowance now grows with the length of the name: none
+  under four letters, one letter per four, three at most.
+- **A file with a generic category ("document", "file", "image") is no longer sent to the first
+  Smart Folder in the list when there is no Uncategorized folder.** It is left without a match, and
+  the other suggestions decide.
+- **A suggestion says what named its folder.** "Using Date-Based organization method" described a
+  folder that was named after the file's category, its type or its purpose; the explanation now says
+  which.
+- **Editing a Smart Folder's description past its first 64 characters is used by the next
+  analysis.** The saved answer for a file was looked up by the start of each description only, so a
+  change further in returned the answer for the old wording.
+- **Preview on the Organize screen says why when it cannot open.** A preview that failed or was
+  refused said only "Nothing to preview."; it now gives the reason. The button shows that it is
+  working, and pressing it twice no longer asks for two previews.
+- **Preview marks files that would get the same name in the same folder.** A move with such files
+  does not start; Preview now shows which files they are and keeps its Move button off until they
+  have different names.
+- **Analysis progress shows one figure for files and one for percent.** It read "Analyzing 3 of 10"
+  with the percentage twice; it now reads "Analyzing 3 of 10 files" and "30% complete".
+- **An analysis that continues after a restart says so.** The notice now reads "Continuing the
+  analysis that was interrupted" with the number of files left, and stays up for six seconds.
+- **Model download speed and time left follow the current speed.** They were averaged from the start
+  of the download and shown after the first second, so the first figures could be far off and a
+  change in speed took a long time to show. The speed is now measured over the last ten seconds and
+  shown once three seconds of data have arrived; until then the row reads "Calculating speed…".
+
+### Documentation
+
+- **The Install Guide, the README and each release's notes say which Mac file to download:**
+  `mac-arm64` for Apple Silicon, `mac-x64` for Intel, and how to check in About This Mac.
 
 ## [5.2.0] - 2026-11-10
 

@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ tree.
   `ci`) enforces a monotonic floor and blocks new .js under `COVERED_DIRS` (`src/shared`,
   `src/preload`, `src/main/{ipc,services,analysis,errors,utils,workers,transports,core}`,
   `src/renderer/{services,hooks,phases,store,utils,components}` today (every `.js` under `src/` is
-  now opted in — 495/495 as of 2026-11-11, and `GLOBAL_DIRECTIVE_FLOOR` matches at 495) — see
+  now opted in — 496/496 as of 2026-11-12, and `GLOBAL_DIRECTIVE_FLOOR` matches at 496) — see
   `scripts/verify-checkjs-ratchet.js` for the authoritative list) from landing without the
   directive. When adding a file to a covered dir: put `// @ts-check` on line 1 and fix the errors
   before commit. When opting in a new file elsewhere: bump `GLOBAL_DIRECTIVE_FLOOR` in

@@ -58,7 +58,9 @@ no telemetry.
 ## Install
 
 1. **Download** the installer for your system from
-   [GitHub Releases](https://github.com/iLevyTate/StratoSortStack/releases).
+   [GitHub Releases](https://github.com/iLevyTate/StratoSortStack/releases). On a Mac, take
+   `…-mac-arm64.dmg` for Apple Silicon (M1 or later) or `…-mac-x64.dmg` for Intel; Apple menu →
+   **About This Mac** shows which one you have.
 2. **Launch it** and choose a model profile. StratoSort downloads its AI models once: about 7 GB for
    Base, or about 10 GB for Better Quality.
 3. **Add a folder** and review the suggestions.

@@ -45,6 +45,19 @@ download the single file that matches your operating system.
 Replace **X.X.X** with the version number shown on the Releases page (e.g. `5.2.0`). The Windows
 arm64 build ships without bundled FFmpeg, so audio/video analysis there needs FFmpeg on your `PATH`.
 
+### Mac -- Apple Silicon or Intel?
+
+Open the Apple menu and choose **About This Mac**.
+
+| About This Mac shows               | Your Mac is   | Download this file                    |
+| :--------------------------------- | :------------ | :------------------------------------ |
+| **Chip**: Apple M1, M2, M3, M4 ... | Apple Silicon | `StratoSortStack-X.X.X-mac-arm64.dmg` |
+| **Processor**: ... Intel Core ...  | Intel         | `StratoSortStack-X.X.X-mac-x64.dmg`   |
+
+The `arm64` file does not open on an Intel Mac. On an Apple Silicon Mac, take the `arm64` file: only
+that build runs the local AI on the Mac's GPU. The `.zip` files with the same names hold the same
+app and are what the in-app updater downloads; you do not need them for a first install.
+
 ### Windows -- installer vs zip
 
 | File                                  | What it does                                                                                              | Recommended?                                        |

@@ -292,17 +292,18 @@ Then run a small batch first and review outcomes before scaling up.
 - Review naming defaults in **Settings -> Default Locations**.
 - Confirm convention/date/case/separator values.
 
-### "That folder is inside a link that points outside your allowed locations."
+### "That folder leads into a system folder through a link or short name."
 
-You can see this when you use **Create directory** on a Smart Folder marked **Missing** in Setup. On
-this computer, StratoSort creates folders only inside your home folder, Documents, Downloads or
-Desktop, and never inside a system folder. It goes by where the folder really is, not by the path as
-written. If the path runs through a shortcut-style link (a symbolic link, or a junction on Windows)
-that leads somewhere outside those places, or into a system folder, the folder is refused.
+You can see this when you use **Create directory** on a Smart Folder marked **Missing** in Setup.
+StratoSort creates folders on any drive, an external one included, but never inside a system folder.
+It goes by where the folder really is, not by the path as written. If the path runs through a
+shortcut-style link (a symbolic link, or a junction on Windows) or a Windows short name that leads
+into a system folder, the folder is refused.
 
-- Edit the Smart Folder to use the real folder the link points to.
-- If that real folder is outside those places, create it yourself in File Explorer or Finder, then
-  choose it as the Smart Folder's location with **Browse**.
+- Edit the Smart Folder to use a folder outside the system folders.
+
+A folder that is not inside one of your Smart Folders or Documents is created after you confirm it
+in a prompt. If the path runs through a link, the prompt names the folder the link really leads to.
 
 ### Need to see logs
 

@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ const COVERED_DIRS = [
   'src/renderer/utils',
   'src/renderer/components'
 ];
-const GLOBAL_DIRECTIVE_FLOOR = 495;
+const GLOBAL_DIRECTIVE_FLOOR = 496;
 // ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 const DIRECTIVE_SCAN_LINES = 5;

@@ -586,6 +586,13 @@ async function handleBatchOrganize(params) {
         }
         const batchOperationTotal = batch.operations.length;
         const limit = pLimit(effectiveConcurrency);
+        // Files this batch has still to move. The duplicate check must not
+        // take one of them for a copy that is already filed: it may be moved
+        // or renamed away later in this batch. Built here because each
+        // operation rewrites its paths to the validated form once it starts.
+        const pendingSources = batch.operations
+          .filter((op) => op.status !== 'done' && typeof op.source === 'string')
+          .map((op) => op.source);
 
         // Abort reasons the USER deliberately triggered (renderer buttons).
         // Anything else on the signal — 'ipc-timeout', 'shutdown' (abortAll),
@@ -814,7 +821,13 @@ async function handleBatchOrganize(params) {
               const { signal } = abortController;
               if (signal.aborted) startGrace();
               else signal.addEventListener('abort', startGrace, { once: true });
-              const movePromise = performFileMove(op, log, computeFileChecksum, signal);
+              const movePromise = performFileMove(
+                op,
+                log,
+                computeFileChecksum,
+                signal,
+                pendingSources
+              );
               try {
                 const outcome = await Promise.race([movePromise, abandoned]);
                 if (outcome !== MOVE_ABANDONED) return outcome;
@@ -909,17 +922,36 @@ async function handleBatchOrganize(params) {
             }
 
             if (moveResult && moveResult.skipped) {
-              skippedCount++;
               const resolvedDestination = moveResult.destination || op.destination;
               const currentFileName = path.basename(op.source);
-              results.push({
-                success: true,
+
+              // Verify state is consistent (dest exists, source gone) before
+              // anything reports the file as filed.
+              try {
+                await verifyMoveCompletion(op.source, resolvedDestination, log);
+              } catch (verifyError) {
+                // The source was removed as a duplicate and the copy it
+                // duplicated cannot be confirmed. Rollback has nothing to
+                // copy back, so the message is where the user learns that the
+                // file is in the trash.
+                if (moveResult.sourceRemoval === 'trashed' && verifyError instanceof Error) {
+                  verifyError.message +=
+                    '. The original was moved to the system Trash / Recycle Bin as a duplicate and can be restored from there.';
+                }
+                throw verifyError;
+              }
+
+              consecutivePermissionFailures = 0;
+              // A duplicate skip still mutates disk state by deleting the source file.
+              // Track it so a later critical failure can restore the original path.
+              completedOperations.push({
+                index: i,
                 source: op.source,
                 destination: resolvedDestination,
-                operation: op.type || 'move',
-                skipped: true,
-                reason: moveResult.reason
+                originalDestination: op._originalDestination,
+                rollbackAction: 'restore_duplicate_source'
               });
+              renewBatchLock(batchId);
 
               // One info line per skipped file in every build: the Live
               // Activity feed shows "Skipped <name> (already in place)". File
@@ -932,20 +964,22 @@ async function handleBatchOrganize(params) {
                 destination: path.basename(resolvedDestination)
               });
 
-              // Verify state is consistent (dest exists, source gone)
-              await verifyMoveCompletion(op.source, resolvedDestination, log);
+              // Rollback started while this skip was being verified: it
+              // restores the source and reports the row (see the same check
+              // on the move path below).
+              if (shouldRollback) return;
 
-              consecutivePermissionFailures = 0;
-              // A duplicate skip still mutates disk state by deleting the source file.
-              // Track it so a later critical failure can restore the original path.
-              completedOperations.push({
-                index: i,
+              skippedCount++;
+              results.push({
+                success: true,
                 source: op.source,
                 destination: resolvedDestination,
-                originalDestination: op._originalDestination,
-                rollbackAction: 'restore_duplicate_source'
+                operation: op.type || 'move',
+                skipped: true,
+                reason: moveResult.reason,
+                // 'trashed' or 'deleted': where the source went.
+                sourceRemoval: moveResult.sourceRemoval
               });
-              renewBatchLock(batchId);
 
               // Not awaited (see the success path below for why).
               void processingState?.markOrganizeOpDone?.(batchId, i, {
@@ -1629,8 +1663,11 @@ function reconcileRolledBackResults(rollbackOutcome, completedOperations, rollba
  * @param {LoggerLike} log
  * @param {typeof computeFileChecksum} checksumFn
  * @param {AbortSignal|null} [abortSignal]
+ * @param {string[]} [pendingSources] - Every source the caller's batch has
+ *   still to move (the same array for each call), so the duplicate check does
+ *   not count one of them as a copy already at the destination.
  */
-async function performFileMove(op, log, checksumFn, abortSignal = null) {
+async function performFileMove(op, log, checksumFn, abortSignal = null, pendingSources) {
   // This prevents creating numbered copies of files that already exist.
   const duplicateResult = await handleDuplicateMove({
     sourcePath: op.source,
@@ -1639,7 +1676,8 @@ async function performFileMove(op, log, checksumFn, abortSignal = null) {
     logger: log,
     logPrefix: '[FILE-OPS]',
     dedupContext: 'batchOrganize',
-    removeEmbeddings: removeEmbeddingsForPathBestEffort
+    removeEmbeddings: removeEmbeddingsForPathBestEffort,
+    pendingSources
   });
   if (duplicateResult) return duplicateResult;
 
@@ -2431,9 +2469,15 @@ async function previewBatchOrganize({ operation, log }) {
     // PREVIEW_MAX_NUMERIC_ATTEMPTS so the preview stays snappy even when the
     // destination directory is densely packed. The real executor still
     // walks up to MAX_NUMERIC_RETRIES on collision before UUID-fallback.
+    //
+    // A file that is already at its destination (same path, or the same name
+    // in another case where the filesystem ignores case) occupies that path
+    // itself, so the executor's move does not collide with anything.
     let finalDestination = op.destination;
     let collision = false;
-    if (await pathExistsSilent(op.destination)) {
+    const alreadyAtDestination =
+      _canonicalizeForOverlapCheck(op.source) === _canonicalizeForOverlapCheck(op.destination);
+    if (!alreadyAtDestination && (await pathExistsSilent(op.destination))) {
       collision = true;
       conflicts += 1;
       const ext = path.extname(op.destination);