renaming new file overwrites existing file

scenario:
inside a folder I am watching there is a file, inside that file is a door...no wait. that's the matrix.

ok, imagine there is:
file.ext
I then export to the folder an new version of the file, but it is named:
file-a.ext
I want hazel to strip the new file of the suffix "-a" so that it becomes:
file.ext
but as there is already a file.ext, it creates an incremented version:
file-1.ext
which I do not want

is there a way, when renaming a file, that if a file already exists with the same name, the previously existing file is deleted BEFORE renaming the new file, so no incremented "duplicate" is created? Essentially I want to overwrite the existing file with the new one when it is renamed.

much obliged.

The best way would be for the original program to overwrite it if possible. If not, it's a bit tricky. You'd need to do something like:

Code: Select all: If (all) are met Name matches (•filename) If (all) are met for (the enclosing folder) If (all) are met for (any of its sub-files) Name matches (•filename)-(letter) Do Move to trash

where •filename is set to match anything.

What this does is look for a sibling file which has the same name plus a dash plus a letter. It then throws the file away. You may need to tweak this a bit but that should get you going in the right direction.

will give it a try
thanks