Situation
Adobe InDesign creates a lock file named ~test~0kjyv(.idlk for Test.indd when the document is opened, to prevent concurrent editing by multiple users.
Known Adobe Lock File Patterns
| App |
Extension |
Naming pattern |
Trigger |
| InDesign |
.idlk |
~{basename}~{random token}(.idlk |
Opening any .indd document |
| InCopy (checkout) |
.idlk |
~{basename}~{random token}(.idlk |
Checking out an .icml story |
| Premiere Pro |
.prlock |
{basename}.prlock |
Opening any .prproj project |
| Illustrator |
— |
— |
No lock file created |
| Photoshop |
— |
— |
No lock file created |
| After Effects |
— |
— |
No lock file created |
| Audition |
— |
— |
No lock file created |
Notes
.idlk is used for two distinct cases: InDesign document locks (alongside .indd) and InCopy checkout locks (alongside .icml). The InCopy case is relevant for teams using Nextcloud as a shared editorial server.
- InDesign is known to not create a lock file when opening a document from a network or cloud path in some versions (fixed in InDesign 19.1 / 2024). Detection of
.idlk files should therefore not be treated as a guarantee that a document is open — only as a signal that it is.
- Stale lock files can remain after an abnormal termination of InDesign or Premiere Pro.
To Do
Situation
Adobe InDesign creates a lock file named
~test~0kjyv(.idlkforTest.inddwhen the document is opened, to prevent concurrent editing by multiple users.Known Adobe Lock File Patterns
.idlk~{basename}~{random token}(.idlk.indddocument.idlk~{basename}~{random token}(.idlk.icmlstory.prlock{basename}.prlock.prprojprojectNotes
.idlkis used for two distinct cases: InDesign document locks (alongside.indd) and InCopy checkout locks (alongside.icml). The InCopy case is relevant for teams using Nextcloud as a shared editorial server..idlkfiles should therefore not be treated as a guarantee that a document is open — only as a signal that it is.To Do
.idlkfiles and treat them as lock files (do not sync or surface as regular files).prlockfiles and treat them as lock files