v1.4

Full Changelog: v1.3...v1.4

🎉 Major New Features

• Custom Folder Mode: You can now analyze any folder on your system, not just a PARA structure. This power-user mode requires a compatible NVIDIA GPU to be enabled.
• Developer-Aware Scan Engine: The full duplicate scan is now much safer for developers. It uses a new, configurable rule set to automatically ignore common development directories, configuration files, and library data.
• Persistent User Data: All user data (configs, logs, caches) is now stored in the standard Application Data directory. This completely resolves the issue of data being lost every time the packaged .exe was closed.

✨ Key Improvements

• Intelligent Hash Caching: Subsequent scans are now dramatically faster by skipping files that have not changed. The cache also automatically prunes entries for deleted files to stay efficient.
• Safer Deletion Process: When cleaning duplicates, all files marked for deletion are now grouped into a single, timestamped folder which is then sent to the Recycling Bin. This makes recovery much easier.
• Enhanced Results Dialog: You can now right-click on any file in the duplicate results list to open its location in your file explorer, allowing for easy verification. Tooltips have also been restored to show the retention score and reasoning for each file.
• Smarter Search: Search results are now scored for relevance and highlighted, making it easier to find what you're looking for.
• Dynamic UI: The tooltip for the "Full Scan" button now dynamically updates to show exactly which directory it will scan.

🐛 Bug Fixes

• Fixed all known startup crashes caused by NameError or TypeError due to missing or incorrect class definitions.
• Resolved a critical ValueError that occurred when changing the target directory across different drives (e.g., from C: to F:).
• Corrected all logic flaws that prevented the "Smart Default" selection (keep best, trash rest) from working reliably.
• Eliminated the "flickering" progress bar during cache pruning for a smoother, more professional user experience.

v1.3: The Refinement Update 🚀

Full Changelog: v1.2...v1.3

This is a significant update focused on making PARA File Manager EVO faster, smarter, and more intuitive than ever before. We've overhauled the core engine for blazing-fast startup speeds, implemented a super-intelligent duplicate detection algorithm, and added real-time file system monitoring to make the app feel truly alive.

This release aims to refine the user experience, transforming it from a powerful tool into an even more intelligent partner in your file organization workflow.

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✨ Highlights

🧠 Super-Intelligent Duplicate File Selection

The "Find Duplicates" feature is no longer just a scanner—it's designed to assist your decision-making. We have completely redesigned the duplicate resolution process with a powerful new scoring algorithm.

• Path-Based Intelligence: The algorithm now understands the PARA methodology, giving higher scores to files in 1_Projects and 2_Areas over those in 4_Archives or temporary locations like your Desktop.
• Filename Analysis: "Clean" filenames with descriptive words and dates are preferred, while files with messy names like _copy or (1) are given lower priority.
• Total Transparency: The results dialog now shows the exact score and the reasoning behind each recommendation, so you can understand the "why" behind its choices.

⚡️ Instant Startup & Real-Time Sync

• Cached File Index: The initial, time-consuming file scan is now a thing of the past! The app creates an intelligent cache of your file index, allowing for near-instant startups on subsequent runs.
• Live File Monitoring: Thanks to a new real-time QFileSystemWatcher, the app now instantly detects changes you make to your PARA folders, even from outside the application. Add, delete, or rename a file, and the app will automatically update its index in the background.

🗂️ Smarter "Move To" Dialog

• Recent Destinations: The "Move To..." dialog is now more convenient than ever. It remembers your most recently used folders and presents them in a quick-access dropdown, saving you countless clicks when organizing files.

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🛠️ Fixes & Improvements

• [Fixed] Corrected a critical bug that caused an infinite indexing loop after the initial scan.
• [Fixed] Resolved a startup crash caused by a misordered method definition.
• [Fixed] Addressed a NameError related to the QFileSystemWatcher by including the proper import.
• [Improved] The application's internal data (logs, cache) is now correctly stored in the operating system's standard AppData location, preventing it from interfering with the user's PARA library.

v1.2: The Power User & Customization Update

Full Changelog: v1.15...v1.2

✨ What's New

• Intelligent Folder Handling
  A new dialog now appears when you drop folders, giving you the choice to Move As-Is (preserving the folder structure) or Merge Contents (the classic behavior). This provides crucial flexibility for complex project onboarding.

• Complete In-App File Management
  The right-click context menu has been supercharged, turning the file tree into a true command center. You can now:

  • Move To...: Instantly reorganize any file or folder to a different PARA category (Projects, Areas, etc.) via a clean submenu.
  • Create New: Create new folders and files (e.g., notes.md, report.docx) directly within any directory.
  • Copy File Path: A new option to instantly copy the full path of any item to your clipboard.

• Full Search Result Pagination
  You are no longer limited to the first page of search results. The search view now includes Previous and Next buttons, along with a status label (Page 2 of 15), giving you access to every single matching file.

• Deep Visual Customization
  Personalize the application's look and feel like never before:

  • Custom Category Icons: In Settings, you can now change the icon for each PARA category. Choose from your own local image files or select from a vast gallery of built-in system icons.
  • Dynamic Background Theme: The file tree now features a large, faint background icon that subtly changes to reflect the PARA category you are currently Browse, providing beautiful and constant visual context.

🎨 Improvements & Refinements

• Rich & Detailed Search Results
  The search results view has been transformed from a simple list into a detailed information panel. Each result now includes:

  • File Type Icons: Quickly identify files like documents, images, and folders at a glance.
  • Essential Metadata: See the file's size, last modified date, and creation date directly in the search results.
  • Consistent Path Display: All path separators are now visually represented with a ▶ for a cleaner, more readable hierarchy.

• Adaptive File Size Formatting
  File sizes are now displayed intelligently, automatically formatting to the most appropriate unit (B, KB, MB, GB, etc.) to be more human-readable.

• Polished & Stable UI

  • The top bar layout has been fixed to permanently anchor the search bar to the left and control buttons to the right, regardless of window size.
  • The search bar is now wider and features a blue border "focus" effect when clicked.

• Robust Crash Handling
  The application is now significantly more stable. A new global error handler prevents silent crashes ("闪退"). If a critical error does occur, a detailed, styled dialog will now appear, allowing you to copy the error information easily.

• Permanent PARA Structure
  The four core folders (1_Projects, 2_Areas, etc.) are now protected and will never be accidentally deleted by the app's "empty folder cleanup" logic.

🐛 Bug Fixes

• Core Search Functionality Restored: The main search feature, which was not returning results in a previous version, has been completely fixed and is now powered by a more performant debouncing mechanism to prevent UI lag while typing.
• Context Menu Fixed: The right-click menu now works reliably in all views, including the file tree and the search results list.
• Application Stability: Fixed numerous AttributeError and NameError bugs related to new features, ensuring dialogs and background processes run correctly.

v1.15: Enhanced UX and Search Overhaul

Full Changelog: v1.1...v1.15

This release is dedicated to a major user experience overhaul and fixing core functionality. We've listened to user feedback to refine the UI, making it more readable, intuitive, and visually comfortable. The search feature has also been completely repaired and significantly enhanced.

✨ What's New

• Rich & Detailed Search Results
  The search results view has been transformed from a simple list into a detailed information panel. Each result now includes:

  • File Type Icons: Quickly identify files like documents, images, and folders at a glance.
  • Essential Metadata: See the file's size, last modified date, and creation date directly in the search results.
  • Improved Layout: A cleaner, structured layout makes parsing search results faster and easier.

• Adaptive File Size Formatting
  File sizes are now displayed intelligently. Instead of being fixed to KB, the app will automatically format the size to the most appropriate unit (B, KB, MB, GB, etc.), making it much more human-readable.

🎨 Improvements & Refinements

• Subtle & Clear Selection Highlight
  Based on feedback, the bright "fluorescent blue" selection highlight has been replaced with a soft, high-contrast grey background. This new style is less distracting, more professional, and ensures that the selected text remains perfectly clear and legible.

• Improved Readability & Larger Font Size
  The default font size throughout the application has been increased for better readability and reduced eye strain, especially during long sessions. The font sizes within the search results have also been fine-tuned for a clearer information hierarchy.

🐛 Bug Fixes

• Core Search Functionality Restored
  The main search feature, which was not returning results in the previous version, has been completely fixed. The file indexing and search logic have been rebuilt, making search a fast and reliable tool once again.

v1.1

Full Changelog: v1.0...v1.1

v1.0

Announcing PARA File Manager EVO

Release Date: June 7, 2025

We are thrilled to announce the official public release of PARA File Manager EVO v1.0, a powerful, beautiful, and highly customizable desktop application designed to fundamentally change the way you organize your digital life. Built from the ground up for professionals, creatives, and anyone drowning in digital clutter, EVO implements the powerful PARA method in a seamless, intuitive interface.

This release marks a major leap forward, combining instant drag-and-drop simplicity with the power of a professional-grade file browser.

What's New in v1.0

This initial release is packed with features designed to create the ultimate organizational workflow:

• Hybrid Organization Interface: We've combined the best of both worlds. At the top, four large, always-visible Drop Zones allow you to instantly file documents into your Projects, Areas, Resources, or Archives without a second thought. Below, a powerful Tree View lets you browse your entire PARA hierarchy with the precision of a native file explorer.

• Intelligent Automation Engine: Let the app do the work for you. Our visual Rules Engine allows you to set up custom automations—such as automatically prefixing filenames or moving certain file types into dedicated subfolders—all without writing a single line of code.

• Blazing-Fast Indexed Search: The search bar is no longer just for show. EVO builds a complete index of your entire PARA structure, allowing you to find any file or folder instantly as you type. Search results are presented in a clean, dedicated view for maximum clarity.

• Full File System Control: Right-click on any item in the tree view to access a full context menu. You can Open, Show in Explorer/Finder, Rename, and Safely Delete files directly from within the application, streamlining your workflow.

• Enhanced Safety with Recycle Bin: Never worry about accidental permanent deletion again. All deleted files are sent to your operating system's native Recycle Bin (or Trash), giving you a crucial safety net.

• Effortless Configuration & Migration: A centralized settings panel gives you full visual control over your base directory and automation rules. If you ever decide to move your PARA folder, the app will intelligently migrate all your existing content to the new location for you.

Under the Hood

Performance and stability have been top priorities. The new file browser is powered by Qt's native QFileSystemModel, providing unmatched efficiency and real-time updates that reflect changes on your disk instantly. The custom search index ensures that search performance remains fast, even with tens of thousands of files.

Availability

PARA File Manager EVO v1.0 is available now. You can download the packaged application or access the source code from the official project page.

Full Changelog: https://github.com/CodingGeoff/PARA-Toolkits/commits/v1.0