From f32bf5495b7e74db545af400fffe884922f15dcc Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Matthias Johnson <matthias@opennomad.com>
Date: Sun, 15 Feb 2026 10:11:26 -0700
Subject: [PATCH] adding name option

---
 CLAUDE.md               |  18 ++---
 README.md               |  39 ++++-----
 demo/editmode.tape      |   2 +-
 demo/notifications.tape |   2 +-
 demo/quickstart.tape    |   6 +-
 systab                  | 175 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++---------
 test.sh                 |  35 +++++++-
 7 files changed, 207 insertions(+), 70 deletions(-)

diff --git a/CLAUDE.md b/CLAUDE.md
index 307cb99..e670cd2 100644
--- a/CLAUDE.md
+++ b/CLAUDE.md
@@ -18,16 +18,16 @@ No build step. The script requires `bash`, `systemctl`, and optionally `notify-s
 
 The script has two modes controlled by CLI flags:
 
-- **Job creation** (`-t <time> [-c <cmd> | -f <script> | stdin]`): Generates a systemd `.service` + `.timer` pair with a 6-char hex short ID, reloads the daemon, and enables/starts the timer. Time specs are parsed via `parse_time` which handles natural language (`every 5 minutes`), `date -d` relative/absolute times, and raw systemd OnCalendar values. One-time jobs get `Persistent=false` and `RemainAfterElapse=no` (auto-unload after firing). All jobs log stdout/stderr to the journal via `SyslogIdentifier`. Notifications (`-i` desktop, `-m` email, `-o` include output) use `ExecStopPost` so they fire on both success and failure with status-aware icons/messages. The `-o [N]` flag fetches the last N lines of journal output (default 10) and includes them in the notification body (also configurable in edit mode as `o` or `o=N`). Notification flags are persisted in the service file as a `# SYSTAB_FLAGS=` comment.
+- **Job creation** (`-t <time> [-n <name>] [-c <cmd> | -f <script> | stdin]`): Generates a systemd `.service` + `.timer` pair with a 6-char hex short ID, reloads the daemon, and enables/starts the timer. An optional `-n <name>` assigns a human-readable name that can be used interchangeably with hex IDs in all operations. Time specs are parsed via `parse_time` which handles natural language (`every 5 minutes`), `date -d` relative/absolute times, and raw systemd OnCalendar values. One-time jobs get `Persistent=false` and `RemainAfterElapse=no` (auto-unload after firing). All jobs log stdout/stderr to the journal via `SyslogIdentifier`. Notifications (`-i` desktop, `-m` email, `-o` include output) use `ExecStopPost` so they fire on both success and failure with status-aware icons/messages. The `-o [N]` flag fetches the last N lines of journal output (default 10) and includes them in the notification body (also configurable in edit mode as `o` or `o=N`). Notification flags are persisted in the service file as a `# SYSTAB_FLAGS=` comment.
 
 - **Management** (`-D`, `-E`, `-e`, `-L`, `-S`, `-C`, `-h` — mutually exclusive):
-  - `-D <id>` / `-E <id>`: Disable (stop+disable) or enable (enable+start) a job's timer.
-  - `-e`: Opens `$EDITOR` with a pipe-separated crontab (`ID[:FLAGS] | SCHEDULE | COMMAND`). Notification flags are appended to the ID with `:` (`i` = desktop, `e=addr` = email, `o` = output 10 lines, `o=N` = output N lines, comma-separated). On save, diffs against the original to apply creates (ID=`new`), deletes (removed lines), updates (changed schedule/command/flags), and disable/enable (comment/uncomment lines).
-  - `-L [id] [filter]`: Query `journalctl` logs for managed jobs (both unit messages and command output). Optional job ID to filter to a single job.
-  - `-S [id]`: Show timer status via `systemctl`, including short IDs and disabled state. Optional job ID to show a single job.
+  - `-D <id|name>` / `-E <id|name>`: Disable (stop+disable) or enable (enable+start) a job's timer. Accepts hex ID or name.
+  - `-e`: Opens `$EDITOR` with a pipe-separated crontab (`ID[:FLAGS] | SCHEDULE | COMMAND`). Flags are appended to the ID with `:` (`i` = desktop, `e=addr` = email, `o` = output 10 lines, `o=N` = output N lines, `n=name` = job name, comma-separated). On save, diffs against the original to apply creates (ID=`new`), deletes (removed lines), updates (changed schedule/command/flags), and disable/enable (comment/uncomment lines).
+  - `-L [id|name] [filter]`: Query `journalctl` logs for managed jobs (both unit messages and command output). Optional job ID or name to filter to a single job.
+  - `-S [id|name]`: Show timer status via `systemctl`, including short IDs, names, and disabled state. Optional job ID or name to show a single job.
   - `-C`: Interactively clean up elapsed one-time timers (removes unit files from disk).
 
-Key functions: `parse_time` (time spec → OnCalendar), `_write_unit_files` (shared service+timer creation), `create_job`/`create_job_from_edit` (thin wrappers), `edit_jobs` (crontab-style edit with diff-and-apply), `get_managed_units` (find tagged units by type), `clean_jobs` (remove elapsed one-time timers), `disable_job_by_id`/`enable_job_by_id` (disable/enable timers), `write_notify_lines` (append `ExecStopPost` notification lines), `build_flags_string`/`parse_flags` (convert between CLI options and flags format).
+Key functions: `parse_time` (time spec → OnCalendar), `_write_unit_files` (shared service+timer creation), `create_job`/`create_job_from_edit` (thin wrappers), `edit_jobs` (crontab-style edit with diff-and-apply), `get_managed_units` (find tagged units by type), `clean_jobs` (remove elapsed one-time timers), `disable_job_by_id`/`enable_job_by_id` (disable/enable timers), `write_notify_lines` (append `ExecStopPost` notification lines), `build_flags_string`/`parse_flags` (convert between CLI options and flags format), `resolve_job_id` (resolve hex ID or name to hex ID).
 
 ## Testing
 
@@ -35,11 +35,11 @@ Key functions: `parse_time` (time spec → OnCalendar), `_write_unit_files` (sha
 ./test.sh
 ```
 
-Runs 44 tests against real systemd user timers covering job creation, status, logs, disable/enable, notifications, time format parsing, error cases, and cleanup. All test jobs are cleaned up automatically via trap.
+Runs 58 tests against real systemd user timers covering job creation, job names, status, logs, disable/enable, notifications, time format parsing, error cases, and cleanup. All test jobs are cleaned up automatically via trap.
 
 ## Notes
 
 - ShellCheck can be used for linting: `shellcheck systab`.
-- Edit mode uses `|` as the field delimiter (not tabs or spaces) to allow multi-word schedules. Notification flags use `:` after the ID (e.g., `a1b2c3:i,o,e=user@host`).
-- Notification flags (`i` = desktop, `o`/`o=N` = include output, `e=addr` = email) are persisted as `# SYSTAB_FLAGS=...` comments in service files and as `ExecStopPost=` lines using `$SERVICE_RESULT`/`$EXIT_STATUS` for status-aware messages. Unit file `printf` format strings must use `%%s` (not `%s`) since systemd expands `%s` as a specifier before the shell runs.
+- Edit mode uses `|` as the field delimiter (not tabs or spaces) to allow multi-word schedules. Flags use `:` after the ID (e.g., `a1b2c3:n=backup,i,o,e=user@host`).
+- Flags (`i` = desktop, `o`/`o=N` = include output, `e=addr` = email, `n=name` = job name) are persisted as `# SYSTAB_FLAGS=...` comments in service files. Names are additionally stored as `# SYSTAB_NAME=...` comments. `ExecStopPost=` lines use `$SERVICE_RESULT`/`$EXIT_STATUS` for status-aware messages. Unit file `printf` format strings must use `%%s` (not `%s`) since systemd expands `%s` as a specifier before the shell runs.
 - Journal logs are queried with `USER_UNIT` OR `SYSLOG_IDENTIFIER` to capture both systemd messages and command output.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index c9d6b7d..2bab85d 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -28,11 +28,11 @@ Requires `bash`, `systemctl`, and optionally `notify-send` (for `-i`) and `sendm
 ## Quick start
 
 ```bash
-# Run a command every 5 minutes
-systab -t "every 5 minutes" -c "curl -s https://example.com/health"
+# Run a command every 5 minutes (with a name for easy reference)
+systab -t "every 5 minutes" -n healthcheck -c "curl -s https://example.com/health"
 
 # Run a backup script every day at 2am
-systab -t "every day at 2am" -f ~/backup.sh
+systab -t "every day at 2am" -n backup -f ~/backup.sh
 
 # Run a one-time command in 30 minutes
 systab -t "in 30 minutes" -c "echo reminder"
@@ -67,16 +67,18 @@ systab accepts several time formats:
 
 Relative and absolute formats are parsed by `date -d`. Systemd OnCalendar values are passed through directly.
 
+Note: `date -d` does not technically like the "*in* 5 minutes" syntax. `systab` removes the offending "in".
+
 ## Usage
 
 ### Creating jobs
 
 ```bash
-# Command string
-systab -t "every 5 minutes" -c "echo hello"
+# Command string (with optional name)
+systab -t "every 5 minutes" -n ping -c "echo hello"
 
 # Script file
-systab -t "every day at 2am" -f ~/backup.sh
+systab -t "every day at 2am" -n backup -f ~/backup.sh
 
 # From stdin
 echo "ls -la /tmp" | systab -t daily
@@ -100,23 +102,23 @@ systab -e
 # Show status of all jobs
 systab -S
 
-# Show status of a specific job
+# Show status of a specific job (by ID or name)
 systab -S a1b2c3
+systab -S backup
 
 # View logs (all jobs)
 systab -L
 
-# View logs for a specific job
+# View logs for a specific job (by ID or name)
 systab -L a1b2c3
+systab -L backup
 
 # View logs (filtered)
 systab -L error
 
-# Disable a job
-systab -D <id>
-
-# Enable a disabled job
-systab -E <id>
+# Disable/enable a job (by ID or name)
+systab -D backup
+systab -E backup
 
 # Clean up completed one-time jobs
 systab -C
@@ -127,9 +129,9 @@ systab -C
 `systab -e` opens your editor with a pipe-delimited job list:
 
 ```
-a1b2c3 | daily | /home/user/backup.sh
+a1b2c3:n=backup | daily | /home/user/backup.sh
 d4e5f6:i | *:0/15 | curl -s https://example.com
-g7h8i9:e=user@host | weekly | ~/backup.sh
+g7h8i9:n=weekly-backup,e=user@host | weekly | ~/backup.sh
 # aabbcc | hourly | echo "this job is disabled"
 ```
 
@@ -137,11 +139,11 @@ g7h8i9:e=user@host | weekly | ~/backup.sh
 - Delete a line to remove a job
 - Add a line with `new` as the ID to create a job: `new | every 5 minutes | echo hello`
 - Comment out a line (`#`) to disable, uncomment to enable
-- Append notification flags after the ID with `:` — `i` for desktop, `e=addr` for email, `o` for output (default 10 lines), `o=N` for custom count, comma-separated (e.g., `a1b2c3:i,o,e=user@host`)
+- Append flags after the ID with `:` — `n=name` for naming, `i` for desktop notification, `e=addr` for email, `o` for output (default 10 lines), `o=N` for custom count, comma-separated (e.g., `a1b2c3:n=backup,i,o,e=user@host`)
 
-### Job IDs
+### Job IDs and names
 
-Each job gets a 6-character hex ID (e.g., `a1b2c3`) displayed on creation and in status output. Use this ID with `-D`, `-E`, and `-L`.
+Each job gets a 6-character hex ID (e.g., `a1b2c3`) displayed on creation and in status output. You can also assign a human-readable name with `-n` at creation time. Names can be used interchangeably with hex IDs in `-D`, `-E`, `-S`, and `-L`. Names must be unique and cannot contain whitespace, pipes, or colons.
 
 ## How it works
 
@@ -156,6 +158,7 @@ Job Creation:
   -t <time>         Time specification (required for job creation)
   -c <command>      Command string to execute
   -f <script>       Script file to execute (reads stdin if neither -c nor -f)
+  -n <name>         Give the job a human-readable name (usable in place of hex ID)
   -i                Send desktop notification on completion (success/failure)
   -m <email>        Send email notification to address (via sendmail)
   -o [lines]        Include job output in notifications (default: 10 lines)
diff --git a/demo/editmode.tape b/demo/editmode.tape
index 3038855..fdb6f66 100644
--- a/demo/editmode.tape
+++ b/demo/editmode.tape
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ Down 5
 Sleep 500ms
 
 # Add a new job line with notification flags
-Type "new:i,e=admin@example.com | hourly | curl -s https://example.com/health"
+Type "new:n=health,i,e=admin@example.com | hourly | curl -s https://example.com/health"
 Sleep 1s
 Enter
 
diff --git a/demo/notifications.tape b/demo/notifications.tape
index c9ec99d..bd14cc6 100644
--- a/demo/notifications.tape
+++ b/demo/notifications.tape
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ Enter
 Sleep 500ms
 Show
 Sleep 1s
-Type "systab -t 'every day at 9am' -c '/home/user/backup.sh' -i -m admin@example.com"
+Type "systab -t 'every day at 9am' -n backup -c '/home/user/backup.sh' -i -m admin@example.com"
 Sleep 500ms
 Enter
 Sleep 2s
diff --git a/demo/quickstart.tape b/demo/quickstart.tape
index 2823c72..05f3bd5 100644
--- a/demo/quickstart.tape
+++ b/demo/quickstart.tape
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ Enter
 Sleep 500ms
 Show
 Sleep 1s
-Type "systab -t 'every 5 minutes' -c 'echo health check OK'"
+Type "systab -t 'every 5 minutes' -n healthcheck -c 'echo health check OK'"
 Sleep 500ms
 Enter
 Sleep 2s
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ Enter
 Sleep 500ms
 Show
 Sleep 1s
-Type "systab -D $(systab -S 2>/dev/null | grep -m1 'Job:' | awk '{print $2}')"
+Type "systab -D healthcheck"
 Sleep 500ms
 Enter
 Sleep 2s
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ Enter
 Sleep 500ms
 Show
 Sleep 1s
-Type "systab -E $(systab -S 2>/dev/null | grep -m1 'Disabled' -B4 | grep 'Job:' | awk '{print $2}')"
+Type "systab -E healthcheck"
 Sleep 500ms
 Enter
 Sleep 2s
diff --git a/systab b/systab
index 9a45295..4b51949 100755
--- a/systab
+++ b/systab
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ opt_disable=""
 opt_enable=""
 opt_filter=""
 opt_output=""
+opt_name=""
 opt_jobid=""
 
 usage() {
@@ -34,6 +35,7 @@ Job Creation Options:
   -t <time>         Time specification (see TIME FORMATS below)
   -c <command>      Command string to execute
   -f <script>       Script file to execute
+  -n <name>         Give the job a human-readable name (usable in place of hex ID)
   -i                Send desktop notification on completion (success/failure)
   -m <email>        Send email notification to address (via sendmail)
   -o [lines]        Include job output in notifications (default: 10 lines)
@@ -53,11 +55,11 @@ TIME FORMATS:
   Systemd:   "daily", "weekly", "hourly", "*:0/15" (every 15 min)
 
 EXAMPLES:
-  # Run command every 5 minutes
-  $SCRIPT_NAME -t "every 5 minutes" -c "echo Hello"
+  # Run command every 5 minutes with a name
+  $SCRIPT_NAME -t "every 5 minutes" -n healthcheck -c "echo Hello"
 
   # Run script every day at 2am with desktop notification
-  $SCRIPT_NAME -t "every day at 2am" -f ~/backup.sh -i
+  $SCRIPT_NAME -t "every day at 2am" -n backup -f ~/backup.sh -i
 
   # Run command with email notification
   $SCRIPT_NAME -t "in 5 minutes" -c "echo Hello" -m user@example.com
@@ -71,9 +73,9 @@ EXAMPLES:
   # Edit existing jobs (supports adding notifications via ID:flags syntax)
   $SCRIPT_NAME -e
 
-  # Disable and enable a job
+  # Disable and enable a job (by hex ID or name)
   $SCRIPT_NAME -D <id>
-  $SCRIPT_NAME -E <id>
+  $SCRIPT_NAME -E backup
 
   # View logs for backup jobs
   $SCRIPT_NAME -L backup
@@ -209,35 +211,88 @@ enable_job() {
     systemctl --user start "${1}.timer" 2>/dev/null || true
 }
 
+# Resolve a job identifier (hex ID or name) to a 6-char hex ID
+# Sets _resolved_id; errors if not found
+resolve_job_id() {
+    local input="$1"
+    # Try as hex ID first
+    if [[ "$input" =~ ^[0-9a-f]{6}$ ]]; then
+        local timer_file="$SYSTEMD_USER_DIR/${SCRIPT_NAME}_${input}.timer"
+        if [[ -f "$timer_file" ]]; then
+            _resolved_id="$input"
+            return
+        fi
+    fi
+    # Try as name: grep service files for SYSTAB_NAME=<input>
+    local file
+    for file in "${SYSTEMD_USER_DIR}/${SCRIPT_NAME}"_*.service; do
+        [[ -f "$file" ]] || continue
+        if grep -q "^# SYSTAB_NAME=${input}$" "$file" 2>/dev/null; then
+            local base
+            base=$(basename "$file" .service)
+            _resolved_id=$(job_id "$base")
+            return
+        fi
+    done
+    error "No job found with ID or name: $input"
+}
+
+# Get the human-readable name from a service file (empty string if none)
+get_job_name() {
+    local service_file="$1"
+    sed -n 's/^# SYSTAB_NAME=//p' "$service_file" 2>/dev/null || true
+}
+
+# Format a job identifier for display: "id (name)" or just "id"
+format_job_id() {
+    local id="$1" name="$2"
+    if [[ -n "$name" ]]; then
+        echo "$id ($name)"
+    else
+        echo "$id"
+    fi
+}
+
 # Validate a short ID refers to a managed job, sets _job_name
 validate_job_id() {
-    local id="$1"
+    resolve_job_id "$1"
+    local id="$_resolved_id"
     _job_name="${SCRIPT_NAME}_${id}"
     local timer_file="$SYSTEMD_USER_DIR/${_job_name}.timer"
     [[ -f "$timer_file" ]] || error "No job found with ID: $id"
     grep -q "^$MARKER" "$timer_file" 2>/dev/null || error "Not a managed job: $id"
 }
 
-# Disable a job by short ID
+# Disable a job by short ID or name
 disable_job_by_id() {
     validate_job_id "$1"
+    local id="$_resolved_id"
+    local name
+    name=$(get_job_name "$SYSTEMD_USER_DIR/${_job_name}.service")
+    local label
+    label=$(format_job_id "$id" "$name")
     if ! is_job_enabled "$_job_name"; then
-        echo "Already disabled: $1"
+        echo "Already disabled: $label"
         return
     fi
     disable_job "$_job_name"
-    echo "Disabled: $1"
+    echo "Disabled: $label"
 }
 
-# Enable a job by short ID
+# Enable a job by short ID or name
 enable_job_by_id() {
     validate_job_id "$1"
+    local id="$_resolved_id"
+    local name
+    name=$(get_job_name "$SYSTEMD_USER_DIR/${_job_name}.service")
+    local label
+    label=$(format_job_id "$id" "$name")
     if is_job_enabled "$_job_name"; then
-        echo "Already enabled: $1"
+        echo "Already enabled: $label"
         return
     fi
     enable_job "$_job_name"
-    echo "Enabled: $1"
+    echo "Enabled: $label"
 }
 
 # Get all managed unit files of a given type (service or timer)
@@ -251,7 +306,7 @@ get_managed_units() {
     done
 }
 
-# Build flags string from opt_notify and opt_email
+# Build flags string from opt_notify, opt_email, and opt_name
 build_flags_string() {
     local flags=""
     if $opt_notify; then
@@ -265,15 +320,20 @@ build_flags_string() {
         [[ -n "$flags" ]] && flags+=","
         flags+="e=$opt_email"
     fi
+    if [[ -n "$opt_name" ]]; then
+        [[ -n "$flags" ]] && flags+=","
+        flags+="n=$opt_name"
+    fi
     echo "$flags"
 }
 
-# Parse flags string into _notify_flag (bool) and _email_addr (string)
+# Parse flags string into _notify_flag (bool), _email_addr (string), _name (string)
 parse_flags() {
     local flags="$1"
     _notify_flag=false
     _email_addr=""
     _output_lines=""
+    _name=""
     IFS=',' read -ra parts <<< "$flags"
     for part in "${parts[@]}"; do
         case "$part" in
@@ -281,15 +341,18 @@ parse_flags() {
             o) _output_lines=10 ;;
             o=*) _output_lines="${part#o=}" ;;
             e=*) _email_addr="${part#e=}" ;;
+            n=*) _name="${part#n=}" ;;
         esac
     done
 }
 
 # Write ExecStopPost notification lines to a service file
-# Usage: write_notify_lines <short_id> <notify_flag> <email_addr> <file> [output_lines] [job_name]
+# Usage: write_notify_lines <short_id> <notify_flag> <email_addr> <file> [output_lines] [job_name] [display_name]
 write_notify_lines() {
     local short_id="$1" notify="$2" email="$3" file="$4"
-    local output_lines="${5-}" job_name="${6-}"
+    local output_lines="${5-}" job_name="${6-}" display_name="${7-}"
+    local job_label="$short_id"
+    [[ -n "$display_name" ]] && job_label="$short_id ($display_name)"
     local out_cmd=""
     if [[ -n "$output_lines" && -n "$job_name" ]]; then
         out_cmd="out=\$(journalctl --user SYSLOG_IDENTIFIER=$job_name -n $output_lines --no-pager -o cat); "
@@ -302,9 +365,9 @@ write_notify_lines() {
     if [[ "$notify" == true ]]; then
         local notify_cmd
         if [[ -n "$out_cmd" ]]; then
-            notify_cmd="${out_cmd}body=\$(printf \"Job $short_id: %%s\n%%s\" \"\$s\" \"\$out\"); notify-send -i \"\$icon\" \"systab\" \"\$body\" || true"
+            notify_cmd="${out_cmd}body=\$(printf \"Job $job_label: %%s\n%%s\" \"\$s\" \"\$out\"); notify-send -i \"\$icon\" \"systab\" \"\$body\" || true"
         else
-            notify_cmd="notify-send -i \"\$icon\" \"systab\" \"Job $short_id: \$s\" || true"
+            notify_cmd="notify-send -i \"\$icon\" \"systab\" \"Job $job_label: \$s\" || true"
         fi
         echo "ExecStopPost=/bin/sh -c '${icon_pre}${notify_cmd}'" >> "$file"
     fi
@@ -314,9 +377,9 @@ write_notify_lines() {
         [[ -n "$mailer" ]] || { warn "No sendmail or msmtp found, skipping email notification"; return; }
         local mail_cmd
         if [[ -n "$out_cmd" ]]; then
-            mail_cmd="${out_cmd}printf \"Subject: systab: $short_id %%s\\\\n\\\\n%%s at %%s\\\\n\\\\n%%s\\\\n\" \"\$s\" \"\$s\" \"\$(date)\" \"\$out\" | $mailer $email"
+            mail_cmd="${out_cmd}printf \"Subject: systab: $job_label %%s\\\\n\\\\n%%s at %%s\\\\n\\\\n%%s\\\\n\" \"\$s\" \"\$s\" \"\$(date)\" \"\$out\" | $mailer $email"
         else
-            mail_cmd="printf \"Subject: systab: $short_id %%s\\\\n\\\\n%%s at %%s\\\\n\" \"\$s\" \"\$s\" \"\$(date)\" | $mailer $email"
+            mail_cmd="printf \"Subject: systab: $job_label %%s\\\\n\\\\n%%s at %%s\\\\n\" \"\$s\" \"\$s\" \"\$(date)\" | $mailer $email"
         fi
         echo "ExecStopPost=/bin/sh -c '${status_pre}${mail_cmd}'" >> "$file"
     fi
@@ -352,7 +415,8 @@ EOF
     if [[ -n "$flags" ]]; then
         echo "# SYSTAB_FLAGS=$flags" >> "$service_file"
         parse_flags "$flags"
-        write_notify_lines "$short_id" "$_notify_flag" "$_email_addr" "$service_file" "$_output_lines" "$job_name"
+        [[ -n "$_name" ]] && echo "# SYSTAB_NAME=$_name" >> "$service_file"
+        write_notify_lines "$short_id" "$_notify_flag" "$_email_addr" "$service_file" "$_output_lines" "$job_name" "$_name"
     fi
 
     # Timer file
@@ -385,6 +449,19 @@ EOF
     _created_id="$short_id"
 }
 
+# Check that a job name is unique across all managed jobs
+check_name_unique() {
+    local name="$1"
+    [[ -d "$SYSTEMD_USER_DIR" ]] || return
+    local file
+    for file in "${SYSTEMD_USER_DIR}/${SCRIPT_NAME}"_*.service; do
+        [[ -f "$file" ]] || continue
+        if grep -q "^# SYSTAB_NAME=${name}$" "$file" 2>/dev/null; then
+            error "Job name '$name' is already in use"
+        fi
+    done
+}
+
 # Create a job from CLI options
 create_job() {
     local command_to_run
@@ -403,13 +480,20 @@ create_job() {
         [[ -n "$command_to_run" ]] || error "No command provided"
     fi
 
+    # Validate name uniqueness
+    if [[ -n "$opt_name" ]]; then
+        check_name_unique "$opt_name"
+    fi
+
     local time_spec
     time_spec=$(parse_time "$opt_time")
 
     _write_unit_files "$command_to_run" "$time_spec" "$(build_flags_string)"
     systemctl --user daemon-reload
 
-    echo "Job created: $_created_id"
+    local label
+    label=$(format_job_id "$_created_id" "$opt_name")
+    echo "Job created: $label"
     local job_name="${SCRIPT_NAME}_${_created_id}"
     echo "Next run: $(systemctl --user show "$job_name.timer" -p NextElapseUSecRealtime --value 2>/dev/null)"
 }
@@ -447,11 +531,12 @@ edit_jobs() {
 # Add a line with "new" as ID to create a job: new | daily | /path/to/cmd
 # Comment out a line to disable, uncomment to re-enable.
 #
-# Notification flags (append to ID with ':'): i = desktop, e=addr = email,
-#   o = include output (default 10 lines), o=N = include N lines of output
+# Flags (append to ID with ':'): i = desktop, e=addr = email,
+#   o = include output (default 10 lines), o=N = include N lines of output,
+#   n=name = human-readable name (usable in place of hex ID)
 #   a1b2c3:i | daily | cmd               desktop notification
 #   a1b2c3:i,o | daily | cmd             desktop with last 10 lines of output
-#   a1b2c3:i,o=5 | daily | cmd           desktop with last 5 lines of output
+#   a1b2c3:n=backup,i | daily | cmd      named job with desktop notification
 #   a1b2c3:e=user@host | daily | cmd      email notification
 #   a1b2c3:i,e=user@host | daily | cmd    both
 #
@@ -736,13 +821,14 @@ HEADER
 
             # Handle flags changes
             if [[ "$old_flags" != "$new_flags" && -f "$service_file" ]]; then
-                # Remove existing notification lines and flags comment
-                sed -i '/^ExecStopPost=/d; /^# SYSTAB_FLAGS=/d' "$service_file"
+                # Remove existing notification lines, flags comment, and name comment
+                sed -i '/^ExecStopPost=/d; /^# SYSTAB_FLAGS=/d; /^# SYSTAB_NAME=/d' "$service_file"
                 # Add new flags and notification lines
                 if [[ -n "$new_flags" ]]; then
                     echo "# SYSTAB_FLAGS=$new_flags" >> "$service_file"
                     parse_flags "$new_flags"
-                    write_notify_lines "$id" "$_notify_flag" "$_email_addr" "$service_file" "$_output_lines" "$jname"
+                    [[ -n "$_name" ]] && echo "# SYSTAB_NAME=$_name" >> "$service_file"
+                    write_notify_lines "$id" "$_notify_flag" "$_email_addr" "$service_file" "$_output_lines" "$jname" "$_name"
                 fi
             fi
 
@@ -771,7 +857,8 @@ HEADER
 build_job_list() {
     _job_list=()
     if [[ -n "$opt_jobid" ]]; then
-        _job_list+=("${SCRIPT_NAME}_${opt_jobid}")
+        resolve_job_id "$opt_jobid"
+        _job_list+=("${SCRIPT_NAME}_${_resolved_id}")
     else
         local job
         while IFS= read -r job; do
@@ -798,7 +885,11 @@ show_status() {
         local timer_file="$SYSTEMD_USER_DIR/${job}.timer"
         local service_file="$SYSTEMD_USER_DIR/${job}.service"
 
-        echo "Job: $(job_id "$job")"
+        local id name label
+        id=$(job_id "$job")
+        name=$(get_job_name "$SYSTEMD_USER_DIR/${job}.service")
+        label=$(format_job_id "$id" "$name")
+        echo "Job: $label"
 
         # Get schedule from timer file
         if [[ -f "$timer_file" ]]; then
@@ -871,7 +962,11 @@ list_logs() {
     [[ -n "$opt_filter" ]] && grep_args=(--grep "$opt_filter")
 
     for job in "${_job_list[@]}"; do
-        echo "=== Logs for $(job_id "$job") ==="
+        local id name label
+        id=$(job_id "$job")
+        name=$(get_job_name "$SYSTEMD_USER_DIR/${job}.service")
+        label=$(format_job_id "$id" "$name")
+        echo "=== Logs for $label ==="
 
         if systemctl --user is-active "${job}.timer" &>/dev/null; then
             echo "Status: Active"
@@ -929,11 +1024,12 @@ clean_jobs() {
 
 # Parse command-line options
 parse_options() {
-    while getopts "t:c:f:im:oD:E:eLSCh" opt; do
+    while getopts "t:c:f:n:im:oD:E:eLSCh" opt; do
         case $opt in
             t) opt_time="$OPTARG" ;;
             c) opt_command="$OPTARG" ;;
             f) opt_file="$OPTARG" ;;
+            n) opt_name="$OPTARG" ;;
             i) opt_notify=true ;;
             m) opt_email="$OPTARG" ;;
             o) # Optional argument: peek at next arg for a number
@@ -962,8 +1058,8 @@ parse_options() {
     # Check for trailing arguments after -S or -L
     if ($opt_list || $opt_status) && [[ $OPTIND -le $# ]]; then
         local trailing="${!OPTIND}"
-        # If it looks like a job ID and the job exists, use as job filter
-        if [[ "$trailing" =~ ^[0-9a-f]{6}$ ]] && [[ -f "$SYSTEMD_USER_DIR/${SCRIPT_NAME}_${trailing}.timer" ]]; then
+        # Try to resolve as job ID or name (run in subshell to catch error exit)
+        if (resolve_job_id "$trailing") 2>/dev/null; then
             opt_jobid="$trailing"
             # For -L, check for a second trailing arg as text filter
             if $opt_list; then
@@ -973,13 +1069,20 @@ parse_options() {
                 fi
             fi
         elif $opt_list; then
-            # Not a job ID — treat as text filter for backward compatibility
+            # Not a job ID or name — treat as text filter for backward compatibility
             opt_filter="$trailing"
         else
-            error "No job found with ID: $trailing"
+            error "No job found with ID or name: $trailing"
         fi
     fi
     
+    # Validate name format
+    if [[ -n "$opt_name" ]]; then
+        if [[ "$opt_name" =~ [[:space:]|:] ]]; then
+            error "Job name must not contain whitespace, pipes, or colons"
+        fi
+    fi
+
     # Validate mutually exclusive options
     local manage_count=0
     [[ -n "$opt_disable" ]] && manage_count=$((manage_count + 1))
diff --git a/test.sh b/test.sh
index 65ebe19..0cfd1f5 100755
--- a/test.sh
+++ b/test.sh
@@ -94,9 +94,9 @@ assert_file_contains() {
     fi
 }
 
-# Extract job ID from "Job created: <id>" output
+# Extract job ID from "Job created: <id>" or "Job created: <id> (<name>)" output
 extract_id() {
-    sed -n 's/^Job created: \([0-9a-f]\{6\}\)$/\1/p' <<< "$_last_output"
+    sed -n 's/^Job created: \([0-9a-f]\{6\}\)\( .*\)\{0,1\}$/\1/p' <<< "$_last_output"
 }
 
 # Remove all systab_* unit files and reload
@@ -271,6 +271,37 @@ assert_success "parse_time 'in 5 minutes' succeeds" bash -c '
     parse_time "in 5 minutes"
 '
 
+# ============================================================
+# Job names (-n)
+# ============================================================
+
+echo ""
+echo "${BOLD}--- Job names ---${RESET}"
+
+assert_output "create job with name" "Job created:" $SYSTAB -t "every 10 minutes" -c "echo named_test" -n mytest
+id_named=$(extract_id)
+assert_last_output_contains "name appears in creation output" "(mytest)"
+
+assert_file_contains "service file has SYSTAB_NAME" \
+    "$SYSTEMD_USER_DIR/systab_${id_named}.service" "^# SYSTAB_NAME=mytest$"
+
+assert_output "status by name" "(mytest)" $SYSTAB -S mytest
+assert_output "logs by name" "(mytest)" $SYSTAB -L mytest
+
+assert_output "disable by name" "Disabled:" $SYSTAB -D mytest
+assert_last_output_contains "disable output shows name" "(mytest)"
+
+assert_output "enable by name" "Enabled:" $SYSTAB -E mytest
+assert_last_output_contains "enable output shows name" "(mytest)"
+
+assert_output "status shows name" "(mytest)" $SYSTAB -S
+
+assert_failure "duplicate name rejected" $SYSTAB -t "every 10 minutes" -c "echo dup" -n mytest
+
+assert_failure "name with whitespace rejected" $SYSTAB -t "daily" -c "echo bad" -n "my test"
+assert_failure "name with pipe rejected" $SYSTAB -t "daily" -c "echo bad" -n "my|test"
+assert_failure "name with colon rejected" $SYSTAB -t "daily" -c "echo bad" -n "my:test"
+
 # ============================================================
 # Error cases
 # ============================================================