exiftool
Files
SKILL.mdagentsreferencesscripts
Install
Install the containing plugin
/plugin install shared-skills@llm-skills
Invoke this skill after installation
/shared-skills:exiftool
This skill is bundled inside shared-skills. Install the plugin once, then Claude Code can use any of its included skills. Browse the full plugin repository at github.com/alisonaquinas/llm-shared-skills.
SKILL.md
name: exiftool description: Extract and edit metadata from files. Use when the agent needs to extract, analyze, or transform document and file metadata.
Exiftool
Extract and edit metadata from files
Prerequisite Check
Run this before proposing metadata extraction or edits:
command -v exiftool >/dev/null 2>&1 || exiftool --version
If exiftool is missing, surface that first and either run scripts/install.sh or scripts/install.ps1, or fall back to file for basic type detection and mediainfo for media-only metadata.
Quick Start
- Verify
exiftoolis available:exiftool --versionorman exiftool - Establish the command surface:
man exiftoolorexiftool --help - Start with a read-only probe:
exiftool file
Intent Router
references/install-and-setup.md— Installing exiftoolreferences/cheatsheet.md— Common options and patternsreferences/advanced-usage.md— Advanced techniquesreferences/troubleshooting.md— Common errors and solutions
Core Workflow
- Verify exiftool is available:
exiftool --version - Inspect file:
exiftool file - Validate output before batch processing
- Document exact commands for reproducibility
Quick Command Reference
exiftool --version # Check version
exiftool --help # Show help
exiftool file # Basic usage
man exiftool # Full manual
# Read only a few tags while verifying the file is what you expect
file photo.jpg
exiftool -DateTimeOriginal -Model photo.jpg
# Fallback when exiftool is unavailable and the file is media
mediainfo photo.jpg
Safety Notes
| Area | Guardrail |
|---|---|
| File validation | Verify files are in expected format. |
| Output handling | Validate output before processing further. |
| Large files | Test with smaller files first. |
Recovery note: if exiftool is unavailable, state the reduced-coverage fallback clearly. file can confirm type, but it will not replace full EXIF/XMP/IPTC extraction.
Source Policy
- Treat installed behavior and man page as truth.
Resource Index
scripts/install.sh— Install on macOS or Linux.scripts/install.ps1— Install on Windows or any platform.