inspect-metadata

name	inspect-metadata
description	Use when extracting and analyzing metadata (EXIF, MediaInfo) from files.
model	haiku

Inspect Metadata

Extract metadata from files using ExifTool and MediaInfo, merge results, and report notable fields.

When to use

• Analyzing file provenance (camera, device, software)
• Identifying GPS location data, timestamps, and modification history
• Flagging temporal inconsistencies (e.g., modify-time predates create-time)
• Documenting encoding, codec, and technical properties for evidence context
• Detecting redacted or stripped metadata

Inputs to gather

• File path (required)
• --out <metadata-path> (optional; write JSON to custom location; defaults to <file>.metadata.json)

Procedure

1. Run exiftool -j <file> to extract EXIF data as JSON.
2. Run mediainfo --Output=JSON <file> to extract media metadata as JSON.
3. Merge both outputs into a single JSON object with keys exif and mediainfo.
4. Write merged JSON to <file>.metadata.json (or --out path if given).
5. Parse and summarize notable fields for user:
   • GPS coordinates, altitude (if present)
   • Capture timestamp (DateTimeOriginal, FileCreateTime)
   • Camera/device model and serial number
   • Software fingerprint (editor, encoder, app name)
   • Duration, frame rate, codec, bitrate (media files)
   • Any modification-time anomalies (e.g., modify-time before creation-time)
6. Report summary to user with key findings and any flagged inconsistencies.

Output / side effects

• <file>.metadata.json — merged exiftool + mediainfo output (not modified)
• User sees a formatted summary of notable fields and any anomalies.

Safety / constraints

• This is a read-only operation on the original file.
• Large media files may take 10–30 seconds to scan; inform user.
• Some tools may report different timestamps for the same event (e.g., system metadata vs. internal file timestamps); mention this in output.
• Metadata may contain personal information (GPS, device serial); remind user to handle appropriately if sharing.