Clipboard CLI
Named clipboards retain terminal text and files so results move between commands and sessions without a graphical file manager.
- 5,943 ★ on the repository
- Last commit
- GPL-3.0
Broad access
Why this level
- Clipboards retain data copies, including secrets; cuts remove original files after pasting.
- Attached scripts can execute automatically before or after selected clipboard actions.
Install
Manual install
curl -sSL https://github.com/Slackadays/Clipboard/raw/main/install.sh | shFirst Quick Installation option for non-Windows systems; inspect the installer before running it.
Access and checks
How we reviewBroad accessThe tool can change data, run commands or handle secrets.
- Clipboards retain data copies, including secrets; cuts remove original files after pasting.
- Attached scripts can execute automatically before or after selected clipboard actions.
This is third-party code. Review the repository files before installing.
What it does
Clipboard accepts text, files, directories and binary data through `cb`. Users copy content into a selected clipboard, then paste into another folder or pipe it into another program. Each clipboard has history and a note. A number after the action selects a temporary clipboard; an underscore selects a persistent one. Contents can be searched, edited and exported into a folder. Clipboard information becomes JSON when piped to another command for scripting.
Who it is for. Terminal users transferring files and command output between several ongoing tasks.
Good fit when
- A user saves command output and passes it to an editor later.
- Two projects use separate buffers for different file sets.
- A new entry replaced useful text, and the user restores it from history.
- After closing the terminal, a user resumes work with a named persistent buffer.
Not a fit when
- Project rules prohibit copies outside the original folder.
- Sources must remain intact but the operation uses a file cut.
- You require active maintenance without the author’s stated shortage of developers.
Example request
Save diagnostic output in a separate Clipboard buffer, show its contents and leave source files in place.Limitations
The author says further development needs help from a C++ developer. GUI integration uses only the default clipboard; use the load action to transfer another clipboard’s content into it. The `--fast-copy` option uses links, so changes made to the source files also appear in later pastes. With `CI=true` or `CI=1`, pasting overwrites existing items without asking, so unattended scripts must account for destination files already being present.
How to disable. Remove `cb` calls from scripts. `cb clear` clears the default buffer; select named buffers separately. Exported directories remain after a buffer is cleared.
FAQ
How do I inspect content before pasting?
`cb show` displays the default buffer, while `cb show_420` displays the persistent `_420` buffer. Output is text or an object list; `cb info | cat` returns default-buffer information as JSON.
How do I restore the previous entry?
Run `cb history`, then `cb history 1` to move the previous content to the front. Entry zero is the newest.
What happens after cutting and pasting?
After `cb cut` and a successful paste, Clipboard removes the original files. Use `cb copy` when they must remain.
How do I select a persistent clipboard?
Use an underscore after the action: `cb show_420` displays `_420`, and `cb copy_420 foo.bar` copies a file into it. Replace the clipboard and file names.
How do I disable GUI clipboard integration?
Set `CLIPBOARD_NOGUI=1`. For a single check, `CLIPBOARD_NOGUI=1 cb show` reads content without GUI integration.
Discussion
No questions or reviews yet.
Related
CLI toolsCross-device clipboard sync with a built-in MCP server: the agent reads your copy history, and data never leaves for the cloud
The CLI repeats a selected command, highlights output changes and retains history for users and agents to compare.
An interactive terminal finder selects files, history commands and entries from long lists by matching parts of their names.
The CLI turns a coding-agent session into a shareable page with conversation, tool activity, files and a diff.
A terminal kanban board with a 47-tool MCP server: the agent manages boards, cards and sprints in a local file
CodeKanban gathers terminals and Claude Code and Codex sessions on one page, and codekanban-cli drives them from an agent
README in short
Use `cb script` to inspect a script attached to the buffer. `CLIPBOARD_HISTORY` limits history by entry count, data size or retention period.