Commons:Requests for comment/stop renaming of pdf and other book files

Problem

Currently we do rename book files used on the wikisource sites, under the rationale one, to match with the language of the project. or other reasons. But when those files have associated pages on the wikisource projects. Like already ocr is completed, or its transclusion is completed. then changing the file name on commons breaks all further links.

Example of the problem

We on wikisource marathi faced this problem and I think this must have happened on other wikisource projects too. link of some of the broken indexes is as follows for the problem we are facing.

• s:mr:अनुक्रमणिका:Sanskruti1 cropped.pdf
• s:mr:अनुक्रमणिका:गंगाजल (Gangajal).pdf
• s:mr:अनुक्रमणिका:Paripurti.pdf
• s:mr:अनुक्रमणिका:युगान्त (Yugant).pdf आणि अनुक्रमणिका:Yugant.pdf
• s:mr:अनुक्रमणिका:गर्भलिंग निदान प्रतिबंधक कायदा (Garbhling Nidan Pratibandhak Kayada).pdf
• s:mr:अनुक्रमणिका:Gangajal cropped.pdf
• s:mr:अनुक्रमणिका:Paripurti.pdf
• s:mr:अनुक्रमणिका:Sanskruti1 cropped.pdf
• s:mr:अनुक्रमणिका:Yugant.pdf
• s:mr:अनुक्रमणिका:Arth shastrachi multatve cropped.pdf
• s:mr:अनुक्रमणिका:Ganitachya sopya wata.pdf
• s:mr:अनुक्रमणिका:E-Book 100 Common Birds in Maharashtra Marathi (2).pdf
• s:mr:अनुक्रमणिका:Yoga Vasishtha Part 01.djvu
• s:mr:अनुक्रमणिका:सुंदर पत्रे भाग-१.pdf
• s:mr:अनुक्रमणिका:सुंदरपत्रे भाग-३.pdf

Problem with current policy

As these files were renamed by all different renamers it is evident that earlier policy on renaming pdf and djvu is not really followed or not many renamers are aware of that. So, we need to stop the renaming of files like pdf or other files. Until there is a serious concern with the file name. or any other suggestions are welcome.

I am proposing to change in the policy of renaming,

Current Policy

Additional naming conventions and exceptions from the above list might be discussed for specific projects. For example, moving PDF and DjVu files transcluded at the Wikisources is problematic for those wikis and should be avoided unless the file mover understands the consequences.

Proposed Policy

No filemover should rename the PDF and DjVu files transcluded at the wikisource. If needed at all this should be done by the admins or after a discussion on the wikisource project and if there is someone to take care of the broken links after rename. QueerEcofeminist[they/them/their] 12:13, 14 August 2026 (UTC)

Discussion

@QueerEcofeminist: It's not clear to me what the difference between these policies are, and I'm not sure how well Centralized Discussion is watched on Commons. Is this an accurate summary of the problem and a simple solution? - "The renaming guideline already warns against moving PDF and DjVu files that are transcluded on a Wikisource project because doing so breaks links. This is nonetheless a common problem, either because people do not know about that guideline or do not notice that the file is transcluded on Wikisource. To prevent these issues, I propose move protecting files that are transcluded on Wikisource." Inevitably, someone will ask "why does it break anything, and why can't that be fixed?" so you should be prepared to answer that. :) — Rhododendrites ^talk |  13:47, 14 August 2026 (UTC)

my point is current policy is ineffective. So we need different approaches to stop the system from breaking. Thanks QueerEcofeminist[they/them/their] 19:53, 14 August 2026 (UTC)

i've recently posted Commons_talk:File_naming#c-RoyZuo-20260515235100-Abolish_filename. people should stop caring about "filename" coz it's very trivial, and "renaming" has very little benefit. all that effort spent on filename is mostly unnecessary. not just "pdf transcluded" but "any file type transcluded or not" dont need to be renamed. RoyZuo (talk) 19:24, 15 August 2026 (UTC)

I agree, renaming pdf or any files for that matter has a little benefit. QueerEcofeminist[they/them/their] 19:18, 18 August 2026 (UTC)