Batch recipes, the job queue and file checks

Ten scans from the same matter all need the same treatment: OCR, redaction, compression. The Batch view (key 9) turns those steps into a recipe and runs it over every document you choose.

1. Start from a suggested recipe

Open Batch. With no recipe yet, Paperwell offers Suggested recipes:

• Scans → searchable, redacted, compressed
• Office files → compressed PDFs
• Read every contract
• Check attachments

Pick one, or press New recipe. The template Job application packet (5 MB limit) already contains two recipes, Office files → PDF and Scans → searchable, compressed.

2. Edit the steps

Under Steps, each line is one step with Up and Remove. Add a step offers Office or text → PDF, Make searchable (OCR), Extract full text, Redact with the dossier’s lists, Compress, Contract reading, Privacy policy decoder, Form explainer and File check. Some steps have options, such as the Compression level.

File steps pass their result to the next step: the OCR output is redacted, the redacted file is compressed. Reading steps work on the current version. Steps that do not fit a document — OCR on a Word file, say — are skipped instead of failing.

3. Run it

Tick the Documents and press Run the recipe on …. Every job lands in the Job queue with its state. File tools allow only a few runs per minute per visitor; the queue spaces the jobs out, waits as long as the server asks when the limit is reached and continues on its own — keep working in other views meanwhile. Retry repeats a failed job, Clear finished jobs tidies the list. Tool runs from every other view appear in the same queue.

Finished batches are listed under Batch history with their results. When you are offline, jobs wait and start once the connection is back.

4. Checks

The Checks view (key 8) collects four smaller tools:

• File check — what a file really is. The file-format-doctor compares the first 1024 bytes with the file name, so a renamed .exe posing as a PDF stands out. Only the first bytes are sent.
• Accessibility of HTML documents — add an HTML letter or newsletter and press Check accessibility; the accessibility-fixer lists WCAG problems with suggested fixes.
• Screenshot to steps — add a screenshot of an online portal, describe your goal under What do you want to do? (e.g. Upload the signed contract) and press Get the steps. Add steps to notes keeps them in the report.
• Spec compatibility — New: USB-C charging, New: PC build or New: Software versions creates a check from a quote or datasheet: charger and device watts, CPU socket and RAM type, or a version range in npm syntax. The compatibility-engine answers with OK, warning or problem per item.

5. Keyboard

Every view has a main action on Ctrl+Enter. Press ? for the shortcut sheet; there you can switch off the single-key shortcuts (A, J/K, 1…0, /) if they get in the way of a screen reader or speech input.

Next: the report, exports and sharing.