Plan a safe batch rename with a dry run

Task: Plan a safe way to rename many files at once, from my current names to a new pattern. Context: I have about [number of files] files in [folder name]. Current names look like [two or three example names]. I want names like [two or three example target names]. I am [comfortable or not] with the Terminal. Rules: - Work in three stages: show me the old and new names side by side first, then rename copies, then rename the real files. - If you give a Terminal command, explain in plain words what each part does before I run it, and warn me if it can overwrite files or cannot be undone. - Prefer a Finder method if it can do the job, and name it by what it does so I can look it up on my Mac. - Where my examples leave the rule unclear, ask me one question before proposing the pattern. Result: The renaming rule in one sentence, a before and after table with five rows built from my examples, then the three stages as numbered steps of at most 25 words each.