# Get a spotless, organized computer in about 15 minutes

> It sorts files by what's inside them, not just by their messy names.

Point Claude at your cluttered desktop or Downloads folder. It opens the files, figures out what each one actually is, builds sensible folders, and tells you exactly what it moved.

- Page: https://thesolocreators.com/prompts/tidy-desktop-by-contents/
- Category: Hidden AI superpowers
- Made for: Everyone
- Works in: Claude
- Time: About 15 minutes
- Effort: Advanced
- Note: Needs the Claude desktop app and a paid plan with Cowork. Check key files like contracts and tax forms afterward.

## The prompt

Fill in the parts in [square brackets], or leave them and the AI will ask you for them.

```text
Please organize my [FOLDER TO TIDY, e.g. Desktop or Downloads]. Open the files and sort them by what's inside them, not just by file name. Create clear folders like [FOLDER NAMES, e.g. Clients, Invoices, Personal]. Rename files with vague names to the date plus a short description, like '2026-03-14 Dana invoice'. Don't touch these folders at all: [FOLDERS TO SKIP]. Don't delete anything. If you think something is junk or a duplicate, put it in a folder called 'Review before deleting' instead. When you're done, give me a short summary of what you created, what you moved, and anything you weren't sure about.
```

## Step by step

1. Open the Claude desktop app and start a Cowork task.
2. Grant access to your Desktop or Downloads folder when asked.
3. Paste the prompt, naming any folders it must leave alone.
4. Read the summary and open a few files to confirm they landed where you expect.

## What you'll get

A cleanly organized folder structure, sensible file names, and a summary of every change Claude made.

## Good to know

**Which AI tools does this work in?** It works in Claude. On this page, Claude opens with your prompt already typed in. Needs the Claude desktop app and a paid plan with Cowork. Check key files like contracts and tax forms afterward.

**How long does it take?** About 15 minutes. It's rated "Advanced". There are 4 steps, listed above.

**What do I need before I start?** Just your details for 3 blanks: folder to tidy, folder names and folders to skip. You can skip any, and your AI will ask for them.

**What will I get back?** A cleanly organized folder structure, sensible file names, and a summary of every change Claude made.

Idea spotted on the official docs, shared by Anthropic (Claude Academy): https://academy.claude.com/use-cases/organize-files-by-whats-in-them. The prompt is The Solo Creators' own version.

## Go further

Ready-made skills in the Solo Creators AI Studio (https://thesolocreators.com/studio/) that fit this: No AI Slop (A sharp editor that cuts the AI tells from any draft. Your point and your voice stay); TLDR (Your AI stops writing walls of text: every reply leads with the next action, numbered and skimmable).

From AI Use Cases and Prompts by The Solo Creators: https://thesolocreators.com/prompts/. Free to use; please link back to the page when you share it.