airpaste

Wait for a message and display it when received

$ airpaste

$ echo [text] | airpaste

$ airpaste < [path/to/file]

$ airpaste > [path/to/file]

$ airpaste [channel_name]

airpaste [-h] [-s SERVER] [-f FILE] [-d DELAY] [-e ENCODING] [-r] [-n]

-h
    Show help message and exit.

-s SERVER
    Specify the pastebin server to use. Defaults to airpaste.net.

-f FILE
    Read input from the specified file instead of standard input.

-d DELAY
    Set the delay (in seconds) before uploading data. Useful for interactive input.

-e ENCODING
    Specify the encoding to use (e.g., utf-8, ascii).

-r
    Raw output: Do not add any metadata. Just write text to standard output.

-n
    Do not add a newline character to the end of the input.

Airpaste is a command-line tool designed for easily sharing data, such as text or files, between different machines or users. It functions by uploading the data to a temporary online pastebin service (by default, airpaste.net, but configurable), which generates a unique URL. This URL can then be shared with others, allowing them to retrieve the data. Airpaste simplifies the process of transferring small to medium-sized files or snippets of text when other methods like email attachments or shared network drives are inconvenient or unavailable. It streamlines data transfer through a simple command invocation, making it ideal for sharing configuration files, code snippets, or log outputs. Airpaste can also be configured to use different pastebin services or even a self-hosted instance for increased privacy or control.

Airpaste's major advantage is its simplicity and speed. There are no servers to set up and no complex configuration needed to upload data. It is especially convenient for situations where the user only has access to a command line. This simplicity makes it well-suited for rapid sharing of information, especially within development or system administration workflows.

Airpaste relies on external pastebin services, so availability and privacy are subject to the terms of service of the selected service. Sensitive data should be handled with caution.

Sharing a file:
airpaste -f myfile.txt

Piping output from another command:
cat myfile.txt | airpaste

Sharing from standard input:
airpaste (then type or paste your text, press Ctrl+D)

Using a different server:
airpaste -s mypastebin.example.com

Do not use airpaste for transmitting highly sensitive information. Pastebin services are generally not designed for secure storage, and data can potentially be exposed. If you must transmit sensitive data, consider encrypting it before using airpaste. Also, be mindful of the terms of service of the pastebin you're using.

The exact history of airpaste is difficult to ascertain, but it emerged as a convenient tool for sharing information quickly via the command line. It gained traction among developers and system administrators who needed a simple, readily available way to distribute data. The key benefit was avoiding the need for more complex tools like file transfer protocol (FTP) or email, instead using a simpler pastebin-based workflow. Because it is a script that interfaces with a text server, it relies on the development and availability of such services.

curl(1), wget(1)