How do I apply the same rule to multiple folders?

How do I apply the same rule to multiple folders in hazel?
I found that different folders can only apply different rules, unless you move the rule manually, but when I modify a rule in the modifier, another rule has to be modified, is there a direct way to let multiple folders apply the same rule?

You can use the rule sync feature and have all the folders sync up to the same file.

Mr_Noodle wrote:You can use the rule sync feature and have all the folders sync up to the same file.

Yes, it can work, but I think it seems to be a little troublesome. Each folder needs to be set up. Why can't the rule be added directly to the group, so that the folders in the group can run the same rule? There may be a priority issue involved, but I think it's definitely the folder rules that take precedence, then the rules in the group, and if there are no rules in the folder, then the rules in the group are run directly, I think.

That sounds way more complicated. You'd need to provide specific use cases as to why you would need it this way.

Mr_Noodle wrote:That sounds way more complicated. You'd need to provide specific use cases as to why you would need it this way.

Why can't rules be added to a group so that they can be directly applied to multiple folders?
https://imgur.com/a/R7Ku93a

As I said, you need to provide compelling use cases as to why you need it this way.

Mr_Noodle wrote:As I said, you need to provide compelling use cases as to why you need it this way.

I actually have one. I'm on the trial for Hazel and experimenting with different ways it can help me. I have rules that set tags. My folder structure in Healthcare has a different folder for each physician, hospital, lab, etc. I have had over the years. I would like to setup all the folders related to Dentists to tag the files with Dentist. All the folders for different general practitioners to tag files with Doctor. All the folders for different Cardiologists to tag the files Cardio. Make sense?

Sure, another way I could do it would be to modify my file structure as follows rather than have it flat:
- Healthcare
-- Cardiologists
--- Dr. Alpha
--- Dr. Beta

Modifying my file structure would get me what I want right now. Input welcome.

You don't need a flat structure. If all the folders are under a common folder, you can have one ruleset on that with a rule to tell Hazel to go into subfolders. Check the manual on how to do that as there's a whole chapter on the subject.

Mr_Noodle wrote:You don't need a flat structure. If all the folders are under a common folder, you can have one ruleset on that with a rule to tell Hazel to go into subfolders. Check the manual on how to do that as there's a whole chapter on the subject.

Will do. Thank you.

Mr_Noodle wrote:You don't need a flat structure. If all the folders are under a common folder, you can have one ruleset on that with a rule to tell Hazel to go into subfolders. Check the manual on how to do that as there's a whole chapter on the subject.

Hi! I need some guidance. I tried this and am scratching my head. I want Hazel to recursively go into all folders at the second level underneath the top folder and apply my rules. I wish I could include a screenshot.

Example:

Healthcare
- Cardiologist
-- Dr. A
--- File 001
--- File 002
-- Dr. B
--- File 001
--- File 002

I want the rules set for the "Cardiologist" folder under "Healthcare" to recursively go through every folder and tag every file underneath each with "Healthcare, Cardiologist". It only tags the subfolders under Cardiologist, not the files within the subfolders underneath Cardiologist.

I hope I'm making sense. Thanks.

You'll need to use your own sharing service to post images. If you don't have one already, you can use imgur.com. Post the rules you have so far.

Mr_Noodle wrote:You'll need to use your own sharing service to post images. If you don't have one already, you can use imgur.com. Post the rules you have so far.

Hi, there!

This is what I have currently:
https://app.screencast.com/SagFlfXCbC7jM

I created a folder to monitor each folder under the top Healthcare folder. I was trying to figure out a way I could just monitor the top level Healthcare folder and have rules that would process each subfolder and recurse through those subfolders to apply the same tags.

Let me know if that can be done or I this is the correct approach as shown.

Thanks much!

You can have Hazel go into all the subfolders in that case. The tricky part is getting the tags based on what I'm guessing is the top level folder?

One way, which is a bit involved, is if a file is at subfolder level 1 (1 level down from the top), add a tag that is the parent folder's name. You'd need to use a nested folder (look it up in the manual) and a custom text attribute to "capture it" (look up match patterns in the manual). Once you have that, you can use a dynamic tag (again, manual has answers on that) to set that as a tag.

For folders further down, it might get a bit trickier. Maybe you can have those files copy the tags from the parent folder. Since folders 2 levels down will get the parent tag, it will propagate downwards.

EDIT: also, the rule as you currently have it will only tag folders, not the files. Please read the chapter on subfolders on how to have Hazel process files in subfolders properly.