The Re-Name Editor

The Re-Name Editor is the ultimate GTA Online mod that allows players to fully personalize their in-game names and labels, with various options including custom colors, special formatting, and iconic GTA symbols. It is based on Lua scripting, and in this article, we will go over all of the necessary information regarding the Re-Name Editor – what it does, how it works, what makes it so unique, and how to maximize its potential.

What Does the Re-Name Editor Do?

The Re-Name Editor is a GTA Online Lua script that uses GTA’s native text formatting system to allow users to create customized formatted names for in-game elements. Using an on-screen keyboard input system, users can enter names that utilize color codes, bold and italic styles, special GTA icons, and/or symbolic characters that cannot be accessed via GTA’s standard naming format. Simply stated, the Re-Name Editor hooks into GTA Online’s native keyboard input system using the DISPLAY_ONSCREEN_KEYBOARD and GET_ONSCREEN_KEYBOARD_RESULT natives, then applies a pre-determined formatting wrapper to the user’s input text, finally displaying the resulting styled name in-game. This results in a clean, stylish name that can be differentiated from the average name created by a non-scripting user.

In-Game Picrtures:

Credits to #TinkerScript, Mr.X, SourceModzz & MaybeGreat48 & the team behind it

Download Links:

 

 

How Was the Re-Name Editor Developed?

The Re-Name Editor was developed by ImagineNothing as a TinkerScript and has since evolved and been made available to the GTA modding community as a functional utility to provide players with an additional level of customization on their accounts.

Why Does Customizing Names Matter in GTA Online?

While some players may view the creation of custom names as just another form of vanity, in reality, it is an essential part of presenting oneself to other players in GTA Online. As GTA Online is essentially a very social game, your character represents YOU, and the names assigned to your outfits, vehicles, and other elements represent a way of expressing your identity to others. Players who actively engage with creating and maintaining their online identity, whether as a content creator/streamer or as someone who takes pride in their account, will benefit greatly from a tool such as the Re-Name Editor, which provides the opportunity to create custom colored, icon-laden names that add a level of class and professionalism to their online presence. Creating outfits is one of the most time-consuming tasks for a large number of GTA Online players. Having the capability to label their outfits with custom colored names that match their outfit color adds an entirely new dimension to the overall experience.

Configuring the Control Panel

One of the most user-friendly features of the Re-Name Editor is its easily readable and well-organized Control Panel located at the top of the script. This is where users can configure the default behavior of the Re-Name Editor prior to running it.

Preset Name

local Preset_Name = "Fox"

The Preset_Name variable determines the default text that is displayed within the on-screen keyboard input area when the Re-Name Editor is launched. In the original version of the script, this is defined as "Fox", but users can replace this with any name that they commonly use, thus avoiding the necessity of entering it manually each time they launch the Re-Name Editor. Essentially, the Preset_Name field acts as a default fill-in name to streamline the process for frequent users.

Start and End Formatting Strings

local Start_Formatting = "~ws~~r~∑~s~"
local End_Formatting = "~r~∑~ws~"

This is where the visual effects begin. The Start_Formatting string is always prepended to the name entered by the user, and the End_Formatting string is always appended to the end of the name entered by the user. The defaults provided wrap the user-entered name with a combination of the ~ws~ Wanted Star symbol, the ~r~ Red Color Tag, the ∑ Rockstar Sigma symbol, and the ~s~ Style Reset symbol. Users can modify both of these strings to fit their own aesthetic preferences. They can replace the colors, swap the icons, or simplify the formatting if desired.

Symbol & Icon Reference Table

Included as comments within the script is a handy reference table that contains information on the special symbols and icons that can be used in the formatting strings. This reference table serves as a cheat sheet for users who wish to build their own custom formatting strings. There are five symbols that can be referenced in the formatting strings:

• Rockstar Verified Icon (¦) - This symbol renders as the checked verify mark-style icon associated with Rockstar Verified content in-game. When added to a name, it gives an air of official legitimacy to whatever it is applied to. Its HTML Code is &¦; and its Hex Code is &¦;.
• Rockstar Icon (∑) - Perhaps the most recognized icon in the set, this symbol renders as the Rockstar Games logo-style icon. The Re-Name Editor has already made use of this icon in its default formatting, using it to wrap the user-entered name. Its HTML Code is &∑; and its Hex Code is &∑;.
• Lock Icon (Ω) - This icon renders as a lock icon in-game, making it perfect for naming items you want to visually identify as locked/secured/exclusive. Its HTML Code is &Ω; and its Hex Code is &Ω;.
• R Created Icon (‹) - This symbol renders as the icon used to indicate that something is Rockstar Created in GTA Online's menus. Adding it to a custom name creates the illusion that the name is authored by Rockstar themselves. Its HTML Code is &‹; and its Hex Code is &‹;.
• Blank White Icon (›) - A subtle decorative item that renders as a blank white icon, making it perfect for adding space or separating visually in formatted names. Its HTML Code is &›; and its Hex Code is &›;.

A note included in the script indicates that these symbols can be used directly (by copy/pasting the character) when renaming an outfit. However, for any other naming context, the HTML or Hex Codes should be used instead. This is due to the fact that GTA Online handles character encoding differently depending on the location of the named object, and using the wrong method in the wrong location can cause problems.

The Complete Color Code Guide

Inside of the Re-Name Editor is an exhaustive collection of all of GTA Online's native text color codes. Each of the color codes can be embedded into a name string directly, to generate colored text within the game. Below is a detailed description of all of the color codes available:

• ~b~ generates Blue text. Great for creating an icy or authoritative vibe in names.
• ~c~ is rendered as Grey, perfect for a subtle or understated design.
• ~d~ creates a Dark Blue, providing a deeper, moodier tone.
• ~g~ is applied as Green, suitable for money-themed names, or anything else you'd like to give a fresh look to.
• ~m~ produces a Dark Grey, a slightly darker shade than the standard Grey.
• ~o~ is rendered as Orange, eye-catching and warm.
• ~p~ is rendered as Purple, a very popular color tag for Premium or Royal looking names.
• ~q~ is rendered as Pink, and is widely used in Stylized or Playful naming styles.
• ~r~ is rendered as Red, one of the most common color tags and what is used in the default formatting.
• ~u~ produces Black text.
• ~w~ is applied as White, clean and classic.
• ~y~ is rendered as Yellow, bright and attention-grabbing.

There are also Formatting and Special Codes beyond Colors:

• ~ws~ Inserts the Wanted Star Icon, an easily recognizable GTA Symbol that is often used as decorative.
• ~h~ Applies Bold Formatting to the text.
• ~italic~ Renders the Text in Italic Style.
• ~n~ Inserts a New Line, helpful for Multi-Line Names when supported.
• ~s~ Resets all Formatting to the Default Style, helping prevent color or style bleeding over to text that follows.

It's here that the real artistic expression of the Re-Name Editor comes into play. The ability to combine these codes in creative ways allows for some really interesting designs, like the example below; A name like ~y~~h~Gold~s~ ~g~Status would render as bold yellow "Gold" followed by normal green "Status", the type of layered styling that immediately draws the eye in any GTA Online menu.

How the Script Functions: Technical Overview

Under the hood, the Re-Name Editor is elegantly straightforward. It runs within a script.run_in_callback block, ensuring that the logic runs in the game's script thread — a requirement for using GTA Online natives safely. The script first loads the necessary natives via natives.load_natives() and then checks if the player is currently in a valid online freemode session using NETWORK.NETWORK_IS_SESSION_STARTED(), cross-referencing this against transition and player switch checks. This is important because the naming natives simply do not function correctly outside of a live freemode session. If the session check passes and no keyboard is currently open, the script triggers MISC.DISPLAY_ONSCREEN_KEYBOARD() with the pre-configured formatting strings and preset name, opening the custom input interface. If the keyboard is already open, the script notifies the user to open an input box first. If the player is not in a valid online session, it prompts them to join freemode and reload. Once the keyboard is open, the script enters a loop that monitors MISC.UPDATE_ONSCREEN_KEYBOARD() and MISC.GET_ONSCREEN_KEYBOARD_RESULT(). A return value of 1 indicates that the user confirmed their input, at which point the new name is logged and displayed in a notification. A return value of 2 means the user canceled and the script exits cleanly. The script.yield(0) call inside the loop ensures that the script does not hog the thread while waiting for user input. The logging system uses ANSI escape codes for colored terminal output, making the developer console experience clean and readable, with clear status indicators for initialization, waiting states, success, and cancellation.

Practical Applications

The Re-Name Editor excels in several specific use cases that GTA Online players commonly encounter.

• For Outfit Naming: It is the most obvious application. Instead of plain text names in your outfit list, you can have color-coded, icon-flanked names that make navigating your wardrobe a visual experience. Think about it — a list where each outfit category is labeled in a different color — casual in blue, formal in white, tactical in green — makes the right outfit instantly identifiable at a glance.
• For Account Presentation: Having formatted names on key items makes an account look curated and professional. This matters particularly for players who trade accounts or showcase them to others, where first impressions carry real weight.
• For Content Creators and Streamers: Styled names visible in menu screens during recordings add a layer of polish that distinguishes their content from standard gameplay footage.

Setup and Requirements

To utilize the Re-Name Editor requires a script execution environment compatible with Lua scripts that can call GTA Online natives — such as those provided by menus like YimMenu or similar platforms that support Lua scripting. The workflow is simple. Load the script through your preferred Lua-compatible environment while in a GTA Online freemode session. The input box will appear automatically. Type your desired name, and the script will wrap it with the configured formatting and apply it. If you want to change the default preset name or adjust the formatting wrappers, open the script in any text editor and modify the control panel variables at the top before running.

Final Thoughts

The Re-Name Editor is the kind of script that might seem small in scope but delivers outsize value to players who care about the details. It democratizes access to GTA Online's native text formatting system, making it easy for anyone — regardless of their coding knowledge — to create beautifully styled names with just a few keystrokes. Its clean code, thoughtful documentation, built-in reference tables, and straightforward control panel make it accessible to newcomers while remaining fully flexible for advanced users who want to build elaborate formatting strings. The original work by ImagineNothing laid a solid foundation, and the current form of the script reflects the kind of careful refinement that comes from real-world use. If you take pride in how your GTA Online account looks and want to add a level of personalization that most players will never achieve through standard means, the Re-Name Editor is an essential addition to your scripting toolkit. It is simple, it works, and it makes your account look exceptional.