Sort PDF batches into folders by their text
They used Claude Cowork to read hundreds of PDFs in one folder and move them into subfolders based on text matches.
- What they did
- They gathered all the PDFs in a single local directory, then pointed Claude Cowork at that folder. In plain language, they told it how many files there were, what wording to search for, and how to place matching documents into one or more subfolders. They also noted that it could handle text-based PDFs and, if needed, group related files for later merging.
- How it went
- They said it sorted 400 PDFs without trouble, and in a later description they used the same approach on 382 files. The only limit they mentioned was that it worked on PDFs with selectable text, not image-only scans. They also said the agent could create an XLSX index showing where everything ended up.
- Tips
- Give very specific instructions, as if you were briefing a new coworker. If this is a one-time cleanup, you may not need to turn it into a reusable skill.
Try it yourself with Claude Cowork
Open the folder at [folder path] and review the PDFs inside. Sort them into subfolders using [your rule, such as client name, document type, or year]. Before you move anything, show me the folder plan and a few example assignments, then stop and wait for my approval. After I confirm, move the files without deleting any, and list anything you could not classify at the end. If helpful, also create an XLSX index of the final file locations.
Fill in the [brackets]. Agents can make mistakes, so review anything before it is sent, paid or deleted.
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