Tagging System

Organize photos across ANY folders with Rando's powerful tagging system - without moving files.

What is the Tagging System?

Rando's tagging system lets you organize photos with custom colored tags, providing cross-folder organization without moving or modifying your original files.

Why Tags?

Traditional folder organization:

• Photos locked into one folder
• Moving files breaks other apps' references
• Can't organize by multiple criteria
• Difficult to create collections across drives

Rando tags:

• Organize across ANY folders and drives
• Never modifies original files
• Tag photos by multiple themes simultaneously
• Create instant collections without copying files

Key Features

• Custom colored tags with names of your choice
• Non-destructive - tags stored separately, files unchanged
• Cross-folder organization - tag photos anywhere
• Visual indicators - colored badges on thumbnails
• Tag-based filtering - view only photos with specific tags
• Tag-based slideshows - create themed photo shows
• Import/export - backup and share tag libraries

Creating Tags

Your First Tag

1. Menu bar: Tags → New Tag...
2. Enter tag name (e.g., "Favorites", "Vacation", "Family")
3. Choose a color from presets or use custom hex code
4. Click Create

The tag is now available throughout Rando.

Tag Naming Best Practices

Good tag names:

• Descriptive: "Family Gatherings" not "FG"
• Consistent: "Vacations 2023" not "vac23"
• Themed: "Architecture", "Sunsets", "Portraits"

Avoid:

• Very long names (truncates in UI)
• Special characters that confuse searches
• Generic names like "Photos" or "Images"

Tag Colors

Purpose of colors:

• Visual differentiation - Quickly identify tag type
• Grouping - Use similar colors for related themes
• Priority indication - Bright colors for important tags

Color suggestions:

• Red - Urgent or priority photos
• Blue - Professional or work-related
• Green - Nature, outdoors, landscapes
• Yellow/Orange - Favorites, highlights
• Purple - Creative, artistic shots
• Gray - To-be-organized or temporary

Tagging Photos

From Context Menu

The primary way to tag:

1. Right-click any photo in thumbnail view
2. Select "Add Tag" from menu
3. Submenu shows all tags with checkboxes
4. Click tag names to toggle on/off
5. Changes save immediately

Currently tagged photos show checkmarks next to their tags.

During Slideshow

Tag photos without leaving slideshow mode:

1. Right-click during slideshow
2. Select "Add Tag"
3. Pinned tags appear at top with ⭐ star
4. Toggle tags as needed
5. Slideshow auto-pauses during tagging
6. Auto-resumes when done

Tag indicators in slideshow update in real-time!

Creating Tags While Tagging

Don't have the right tag yet?

1. Right-click photo → Add Tag
2. Click "New Tag..." at bottom of menu
3. Create tag inline
4. New tag immediately available for tagging
5. Apply to current photo right away

Bulk Tagging

To tag multiple photos with the same tag:

1. Tag first photo
2. Navigate to next photo to tag
3. Right-click → Add Tag → Select same tag
4. Repeat for all relevant photos

Managing Tags

Tag Management Interface

Access comprehensive tag management:

Menu bar: Tags → Manage Tags...

Management Features

Tag List View:

• All tags displayed with names, colors, and image counts
• Search tags by name (macOS 12+)
• Sort options: Alphabetical, by count, by date created
• Visual indicators show pinned status

Per-Tag Actions:

• Rename - Click name to edit inline
• Recolor - Click color to open picker
• Pin/Unpin - Star indicator for favorites
• Delete - Remove tag (with confirmation)
• View Files - See all photos with this tag
• Start Slideshow - Instant tag-based slideshow

Pinning Tags

What is pinning?

Pinned tags appear first in all tag lists and menus, marked with a ⭐ star.

When to pin tags:

• Your most frequently used tags
• Current project tags
• Organizational categories you always need
• Tags you're actively building

How to pin:

• Tag Management: Click star icon next to tag
• Menu: Tags → [Tag Name] → Pin/Unpin

Deleting Tags

What happens when you delete a tag:

1. Tag removed from all photos
2. Tag disappears from menus
3. Photos remain unchanged (files never modified)
4. Image-tag associations are removed

Delete process:

1. Manage Tags → Find tag → Click Delete
2. Confirmation dialog appears
3. Type tag name to confirm (safety measure)
4. Tag and all associations deleted

Tag-Based Filtering

View only photos with specific tags.

Applying Filters

From Tags Menu:

1. Menu bar: Tags → All Tags → [Tag Name]
2. Main view shows only photos with that tag
3. Active filter indicator appears in UI
4. Random button picks only from tagged photos

From Tag Management:

1. Manage Tags → Click "View Files"
2. Filtered view of photos with that tag

Clear Filter

Return to all photos:

• Menu bar: Tags → Clear Tag Filter
• Filter indicator: Click X to clear
• Select new folder: Auto-clears filter

Tag-Based Slideshows

Create themed slideshows from tagged photos.

Starting Tag Slideshow

Menu bar: Tags → Start Tag Slideshow → [Tag Name]

Or:

1. Filter by tag (show only tagged photos)
2. Click "Start Slideshow" button
3. Slideshow shows only photos with that tag

Use Cases

• Vacation slideshow: Tag vacation photos, run slideshow
• Best of collection: Tag favorites, create highlight reel
• Client presentation: Tag client photos, present professionally
• Theme exploration: Tag by color/mood, explore patterns

Tag Indicators in UI

Thumbnail Badges

Photos with tags display colored badges:

• Up to 3 tags shown as colored dots
• "+N" indicator if more than 3 tags
• Badge colors match tag colors
• Hover to see full tag list

Slideshow Info Bar

During slideshow, tag indicators show:

• Up to 3 tags displayed with colors
• "+N more" if additional tags
• Hidden during tag-filtered slideshows (redundant)

Tag Counts

Throughout the interface:

• Tag menus: Show count per tag "(24)"
• Tag Management: Display image counts
• Statistics: Track most-used tags

Import and Export

Backup, share, and sync your tag libraries.

Exporting Tags

Backup or share your tags:

1. Manage Tags → Click "Export"
2. Select tags to export (checkbox selection)
3. Optional: Include image associations
4. Choose save location
5. JSON file created with tag data

Export includes:

• Tag names, colors, IDs
• Pinned status, creation dates
• Image paths (if selected)
• All metadata

Use cases:

• Regular backups
• Sharing tags with collaborators
• Migrating to new computer
• Syncing across machines

Importing Tags

Import previously exported tags:

1. Manage Tags → Click "Import"
2. Select JSON export file
3. Preview shows tags with conflict indicators
4. Choose mode:
   • Merge: Keep existing tags, add new ones
   • Overwrite: Replace conflicting tags
5. Optional: Import image associations
6. Click Import

Conflict resolution:

• Merge mode: Existing tags unchanged, new tags added
• Overwrite mode: Conflicting tags replaced with imported versions
• Visual indicators: Shows which tags will conflict

Nuclear Reset

Complete wipe of tag system:

1. Manage Tags → Scroll to bottom
2. Red danger zone: "Nuclear Reset"
3. Type "YES, NUKE THEM!" to confirm
4. All tags and associations deleted

When to use:

• Starting completely fresh
• Cleaning up experimental tags
• Resolving corrupted data

Cannot be undone - export first if you might want to restore!

Tag Storage and Privacy

Where Tags Are Stored

• UserDefaults (macOS preferences system)
• Local storage only - never uploaded to cloud
• No external databases - simple key-value storage
• Per-user - separate for each macOS user account

Tag Data Structure

Tags table:

• Tag ID (unique identifier)
• Name, color hex code
• Pin status (true/false)
• Created and updated timestamps

Image-Tags associations:

• Image path hash (SHA256)
• Image full path
• Tag ID
• Created timestamp

Privacy Implications

• Completely private - tags stored only on your Mac
• No cloud sync - tags don't leave your device
• File paths stored - Tag data includes image paths
• Export security - Exported JSON contains paths, keep secure

Advanced Tagging Workflows

Organizational System

Create a tag hierarchy (conceptual):

🎨 Projects
   - Client A
   - Client B
   - Personal Work

📅 Time-Based
   - 2022
   - 2023
   - 2024

⭐ Quality
   - Portfolio Worthy
   - To Edit
   - Archive

🎭 Themes
   - Portraits
   - Landscapes
   - Architecture

While Rando doesn't have nested tags, you can use naming conventions:

• Project - Client A
• Project - Client B
• Year - 2023
• Quality - Portfolio

Photo Curation Workflow

1. Random browse to discover photos
2. Tag interesting photos as you find them
3. Create collections with multiple tags
4. Review by tag to curate selections
5. Export final sets using tag filters

Project-Based Workflow

For photographers and creatives:

1. Create project tag (e.g., "Summer Campaign 2024")
2. Tag all project photos across folders
3. Filter by tag to see only project photos
4. Tag-based slideshow for client review
5. Export tag when project complete

Archive and Cleanup

Keeping library organized:

1. "To Review" tag - Photos needing decisions
2. "To Delete" tag - Candidates for removal
3. "Processed" tag - Edited and ready
4. Periodically filter and act on tagged photos
5. Remove tags once actions complete

Tag Limitations and Solutions

macOS Sandbox Restrictions

Issue: Can't access tagged photos without folder permission.

Why: macOS sandbox prevents arbitrary file access for security.

Solution:

• Select folder containing tagged photos to grant access
• Automatic prompt when Rando needs permission
• Security-scoped bookmarks (future enhancement)

Network Drive Support

Issue: Tagged photos on unmounted drives show as unavailable.

Solution:

• Graceful handling - "File Unavailable" placeholder
• Re-mount drive - Photos become accessible again
• Visual indicators - Clear status of availability

File Movements

Issue: If you move files, tags can't find them.

Solution:

• SHA256 hash - Tags track file content, not just path
• Future enhancement - Automatic path update detection
• Current workaround - Re-tag after moving files

Troubleshooting Tags

Tags Not Appearing on Photos

Possible causes:

• Tag just created, UI not refreshed
• Photo not actually tagged
• Display bug (rare)

Solutions:

• Click away and back to photo
• Check context menu to verify tag
• Restart Rando if issue persists

Can't Access Tagged Photos

Cause: Folder permission needed (macOS).

Solution:

1. Rando prompts for folder access
2. Select containing folder in file picker
3. Grant permission when prompted
4. Photos become accessible

Import Failed

Possible causes:

• Corrupted JSON file
• Incompatible export version
• File permission issues

Solutions:

• Verify JSON file is valid export
• Try re-exporting from source
• Check file isn't read-only

Tag Colors Not Visible

Cause: Display settings or color scheme.

Solution:

• Choose higher contrast colors
• Avoid colors similar to background
• Test in both light and dark modes

Future Enhancements

Planned improvements to tagging:

• Nested tags - Parent/child hierarchies
• Tag templates - Quick-apply tag sets
• Smart tags - Auto-tag based on rules
• Batch operations - Tag multiple photos at once
• Cloud sync - Sync tags across devices
• Tag statistics - Usage analytics
• Advanced search - Boolean logic (AND/OR/NOT)

Next Steps

• Create Multi-Folder Collections and tag across them
• Customize Preferences for tagging workflow
• Learn Keyboard Shortcuts for efficient tagging
• Explore Workflow Optimization with tags