Batch rename files using your editor

edrename.py

#!/usr/bin/env python3

import os
import subprocess
import tempfile

EDITOR = os.environ.get('EDITOR', 'vim')

def input_new_names(old_names):
    with tempfile.NamedTemporaryFile(suffix='.tmp') as fname_file:
        fname_file.write(('\n'.join(old_names)).encode())
        fname_file.flush()
        subprocess.call(EDITOR.split() + [fname_file.name])
        fname_file.seek(0)
        new_contents = fname_file.read()
    return new_contents.decode().strip().split('\n')

def main(args):
    targets = sorted(args)
    destinations = input_new_names(targets)
    for old, new in zip(targets, destinations):
        os.rename(old, new)

if __name__ == '__main__':
    import sys
    if len(sys.argv) > 1:
        main(sys.argv[1:])
    else:
        main(os.listdir())

If you leave lines blank, silly things can happen. GIGO.