In-depth review: Keep It Shot

241 words · Editorial

Keep It Shot is a Mac utility built for one specific, recurring pain point: the avalanche of screenshots and media files with generic, unhelpful filenames. Instead of manually renaming each file or relying on folder structures, the app uses AI to generate descriptive names based on the actual content of the image, PDF, or document. It then builds a fully offline, private search index that lets you find files by natural language keywords, not just filenames. This makes it a practical tool for product managers, designers, and anyone who captures dozens of screenshots daily and needs to retrieve them quickly. The core workflow is straightforward: you drag files into the app, AI renames them, and you can search or batch rename with the option to revert. The emphasis on privacy is genuine—processing happens locally, and no images are stored externally. However, the app is Mac-only, and its credit system (1 credit per image, 5 per video) may feel restrictive for heavy users. The one-time payment option requires your own OpenAI API key, which adds a layer of setup but can be cost-effective for low-volume use. For users who value a clean, fast, and private way to impose order on messy media libraries, Keep It Shot delivers a focused solution. It does not aim to be a full digital asset manager; it solves the naming and search problem with AI, and does so without the cloud dependency that many similar tools require.

Who it's built for

Product Managers
Why it fits
Product managers capture countless screenshots of UI flows, bug reports, and feature mockups. Keep It Shot automates renaming these files with descriptive titles based on visual content, eliminating the need to manually rename each file.
Best value
The offline search index lets you instantly find any screenshot by describing its content, saving time when preparing presentations or documentation.
Caution
The credit system means each rename costs a credit; heavy users may need a paid plan to avoid running out of credits mid-workflow.
Designers
Why it fits
Designers juggle multiple iterations of assets, often with generic filenames like 'final_v3.png'. Keep It Shot renames files based on actual design elements, making it easier to locate specific versions.
Best value
Batch renaming allows you to rename an entire folder of assets at once, and the revert feature provides a safety net if the AI misnames something.
Caution
The tool is Mac-only, so designers on Windows or Linux cannot use it natively.
Anyone who takes a lot of screenshots
Why it fits
For users who frequently capture screenshots for reference, tutorials, or personal organization, Keep It Shot turns a messy folder of 'Screenshot 2024-01-01 at 3.45.12 PM.png' into a searchable, organized library.
Best value
The AI generates meaningful names automatically, and the offline search works without internet, making it reliable anywhere.
Caution
The free plan offers only 15 credits per month, which may be insufficient for users who take dozens of screenshots daily.

Key features

AI-Powered Renaming
Uses AI to analyze the content of screenshots and media files, then generates descriptive filenames that reflect what's in the image or document.
Benefit
Eliminates manual renaming and makes files instantly identifiable by their content, improving organization and searchability.
Limitation
AI naming accuracy depends on the clarity of the content; complex or abstract images may receive less accurate names, requiring occasional manual correction.
Offline, Private Search Index
Creates a local search index of your files that works entirely offline, allowing you to find files by typing keywords related to their content.
Benefit
Enables fast, private searching without sending data to the cloud, ideal for sensitive or confidential materials.
Limitation
The index is local to your Mac, so it does not sync across devices; searching is only available on the machine where the index was built.
Batch Renaming
Allows you to select multiple files and rename them all at once using AI-generated names, saving time compared to renaming one by one.
Benefit
Speeds up organization of large file collections, especially when importing many screenshots or media files at once.
Limitation
Batch renaming consumes credits for each file, so a large batch may quickly deplete your credit balance if you're on a limited plan.
Credit System and Pricing Tiers
Operates on a credit model where each image or document rename costs 1 credit, and each video rename costs 5 credits. Plans range from free (15 credits/month) to paid subscriptions and a one-time credit pack.
Benefit
Flexible pricing lets users choose a plan that matches their usage volume, with a free tier for light users and paid options for heavy users.
Limitation
The credit system can feel restrictive; heavy users may need to monitor their credit usage closely and upgrade to avoid interruptions.

Real-world use cases

Automatically Rename Screenshots with Descriptive Names
Product Managers
1. Scenario
  A product manager takes dozens of screenshots daily during user testing and bug reporting. Each screenshot is saved with a default timestamp name, making it hard to find specific ones later.
2. Solution
  Keep It Shot automatically renames each screenshot based on its content, turning 'Screenshot 2024-01-15 at 10.30.00 AM.png' into 'Login button error on mobile.png'.
3. Outcome
  Files become self-explanatory, reducing time spent searching and making it easier to share with developers or stakeholders.
Quickly Find Screenshots and Media Files Using Keywords
Designers
1. Scenario
  A designer has a folder with hundreds of design iterations and needs to find the one with a specific button style. Manually browsing is slow and inefficient.
2. Solution
  Using Keep It Shot's offline search index, the designer types keywords like 'blue primary button' and instantly finds the relevant file, even if the filename is generic.
3. Outcome
  Search becomes as simple as describing what you remember, saving minutes per search and reducing frustration.
Organize and Manage Large Collections of Screenshots and Media Files
Anyone who takes a lot of screenshots
1. Scenario
  A user has accumulated thousands of screenshots and media files over years, with no consistent naming scheme. Finding a specific file is nearly impossible.
2. Solution
  Keep It Shot batch renames the entire collection with AI-generated descriptive names, then builds an offline search index for keyword-based retrieval.
3. Outcome
  The collection becomes organized and searchable without manual effort, turning a chaotic archive into a usable resource.

Pros & cons

Pros

Automated and intelligent file naming
Offline and private search functionality
Easy batch renaming
Ability to revert to original names
Supports various media file types (images, PDFs, videos)

Cons

Limited to macOS
Requires credits for renaming (depending on the plan)
Q&A feature on indexed files is still in development

Pricing

Parsed from stored tiers (HTML or plain text). If a line is missing, check the notes below — confirm on the vendor site before purchasing.

Basic

$0/ month

Free 15 credits/month

Individual

$8/ month

$8 /month 300 credits/month

One-time credit (BYO API Key)

$19/ credit

$19 One-time payment for 500 credits. Bring your own OpenAI API key.

Product Manager/Designers

$24/ month

$24 /month 2000 credits/month

Frequently asked questions

What file types does Keep It Shot support?Workflow

Keep It Shot supports image files (such as PNG, JPEG), PDFs, Excel, Word, and video files. This covers most common screenshot and document formats.

How does the credit system work?Pricing

Each rename of an image or document costs 1 credit, and each video rename costs 5 credits. You get 15 free credits per month on the Basic plan. Paid plans offer 300 or 2000 credits per month, and there is also a one-time credit pack of 500 credits for $19 if you bring your own OpenAI API key.

Is Keep It Shot private?General

Yes, Keep It Shot is designed to be fully private. It processes files locally on your Mac and does not store or upload your images to any server. The AI processing uses your own API key if you choose the one-time plan, or it runs locally with the app's built-in AI.

Can I revert renamed files to their original names?Workflow

Yes, Keep It Shot includes a revert feature that allows you to undo the renaming and restore the original filenames. This provides a safety net in case the AI generates an incorrect name or you change your mind.

Does Keep It Shot require an internet connection?Workflow

No, Keep It Shot works fully offline. The AI renaming and search index are performed locally on your Mac, so you do not need an internet connection to use the core features. However, if you use the one-time plan with your own OpenAI API key, an internet connection is needed for that specific API call.

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