# CopyQ — Advanced Cross-Platform Clipboard Manager with Scripting

> A clipboard manager for Linux, macOS, and Windows that stores text, images, and custom formats with tabs, search, scripting, and command triggers.

## Install

Save as a script file and run:

# CopyQ — Advanced Cross-Platform Clipboard Manager with Scripting

## Quick Use
```bash
# Linux
sudo apt install copyq
# macOS
brew install --cask copyq
# Launch and press Ctrl+Shift+V (or Cmd+Shift+V) to open history
```

## Introduction
CopyQ is a cross-platform clipboard manager with advanced features like tabbed history, content editing, and a built-in scripting engine. It goes beyond simple clipboard recall by treating the clipboard as a programmable data pipeline.

## What CopyQ Does
- Stores unlimited clipboard history with text, HTML, images, and custom MIME types
- Organizes clips into named tabs for project-based workflows
- Provides a built-in editor for modifying stored clips before pasting
- Triggers commands automatically when specific content patterns are copied
- Supports scripting via a JavaScript-like language for custom clipboard operations

## Architecture Overview
CopyQ is built with C++ and Qt, giving it native look and feel on Linux, macOS, and Windows. The clipboard monitor runs as a background process that watches the system clipboard for changes. A local database stores clip content indexed by tab. The command pipeline system evaluates user-defined rules (match patterns, transformations, automatic actions) each time a new item enters the history.

## Self-Hosting & Configuration
- Install via system package manager or Homebrew on macOS
- Available as a portable build on Windows (no installer required)
- Configure keyboard shortcuts, appearance, and history limits in the Preferences dialog
- Define automatic commands that trigger on copy events matching regex patterns
- Export and import configuration for consistent setups across machines

## Key Features
- Tabbed clipboard with drag-and-drop between tabs
- Built-in scripting engine for custom paste transformations
- Automatic commands that process clips on arrival (e.g., strip formatting, run scripts)
- Synchronized clipboard and selection buffer on Linux (X11)
- Tray icon with quick-access menu and global shortcuts

## Comparison with Similar Tools
- **Maccy** — macOS-only, simpler and lighter, but no scripting or tabs
- **Ditto** — Windows-only clipboard manager with network sync
- **Clipman** — Lightweight Linux clipboard manager without scripting
- **Alfred Clipboard** — macOS clipboard history as part of the Alfred Powerpack
- **Paste** — Commercial macOS app with visual timeline; no cross-platform support

## FAQ
**Q: Does CopyQ support images and files?**
A: Yes. CopyQ stores any MIME type the clipboard provides, including images, HTML, and file references.

**Q: Can I sync clipboard history across computers?**
A: CopyQ does not have built-in sync, but you can point its data directory to a synced folder (Syncthing, Dropbox) for basic cross-machine access.

**Q: How do automatic commands work?**
A: You define a regex or MIME filter and an action (script, shell command, or transformation). When a new clip matches, the action runs immediately.

**Q: Is there a limit to history size?**
A: The default is 200 items, configurable to any number. Large histories with many images will use more disk space.

## Sources
- https://github.com/hluk/CopyQ
- https://copyq.readthedocs.io/

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Source: https://tokrepo.com/en/workflows/asset-210f4803
Author: Script Depot