Video editors using Adobe Premiere Pro often struggle with cluttered project directories filled with unused media files. These files take up valuable storage space, slow down project loading, and complicate collaboration. Manually identifying and removing them is tedious and error-prone, especially for large projects with frequent media swaps. A solution that automates this cleanup process could save time and streamline workflows.

How It Could Work

One approach would be to create a feature that scans a Premiere Pro project and flags files not referenced in timelines, sequences, effects, or dynamically linked compositions. Key functionalities might include:

• Deep scanning to check nested sequences, adjustment layers, and effects.
• Custom filters to exclude certain file types from scanning.
• Pre-deletion previews to review flagged files before removal.
• Cleanup reports summarizing storage savings and deleted files.

For example, an editor working on a documentary could run the scan, quickly identify unused B-roll clips, and remove them with one click—freeing up space without risking accidental deletions.

Integration and Advantages

Unlike third-party tools, this feature could leverage Premiere Pro’s native APIs for accurate tracking of file usage. It could also integrate with Adobe’s existing tools like Project Manager and Dynamic Link, ensuring files referenced in other Adobe apps aren’t mistakenly flagged. This would offer a more seamless and reliable solution compared to generic duplicate-file finders or platform-specific plugins.

Potential Execution Steps

A minimal version could start with a basic scanner for unused files in the Project panel, excluding complex cases like dynamically linked assets. After beta testing with professional editors to refine accuracy, advanced features like scheduled cleanups or cloud-storage optimizations could be added. To validate assumptions, a "dry run" mode could let users review flagged files before deletion, and user surveys could gauge preferences for automation versus manual review.

This idea addresses a common pain point in video editing, offering a way to simplify project management while staying within the Adobe ecosystem. By focusing on automation and accuracy, it could save editors hours of manual work and reduce storage costs.