copyq

Manage clipboard history with advanced features

TLDR

Launch CopyQ to store clipboard history

$ copyq

Show current clipboard content

$ copyq clipboard

Insert raw text into the clipboard history

$ copyq add -- [text1] [text2] [text3]

Insert text containing escape sequences ('\n', '\t') into the clipboard history

$ copyq add [firstline\nsecondline]

Print the content of the first 3 items in the clipboard history

$ copyq read 0 1 2

Copy a file's contents into the clipboard

$ copyq < [path/to/file.txt] copy

Copy a JPEG image into the clipboard

$ copyq < [path/to/image.jpg] copy image/jpeg

SYNOPSIS

copyq [global-options] [command [command-options] [arguments]]

-h, --help [command]
    Print help for specific command or all commands.

--version
    Print version information.

--print
    Print current clipboard or item(s) to standard output.

-s, --session NAME
    Use alternative session and configuration.

--tab NAME
    Select tab NAME for command.

--config OPTION=VALUE
    Override configuration option for session.

--temporary
    Temporary session (not saved on exit).

--daemon
    Start clipboard monitor daemon (default on first run).

--monitor-clipboard
    Enable clipboard monitoring.

--list-commands
    List all available commands.

--list-tabs
    List all tabs.

--pause
    Pause clipboard monitoring.

DESCRIPTION

CopyQ is a powerful, open-source clipboard manager for Linux (X11/Wayland), Windows, and macOS, built with Qt. It extends the system clipboard by maintaining a searchable history of copied items, including text, images, HTML, and other formats. Items are organized into customizable tabs, allowing users to edit, rearrange, tag, or delete entries via an intuitive GUI or command line.

Key features include full-text search across history, customizable keyboard shortcuts, scripting with ECMAScript/JavaScript for automation, custom menu actions, clipboard synchronization over network, and plugin support. It monitors multiple clipboard types simultaneously and can execute external commands on changes. The command-line interface enables scripting integration, such as piping output or automating copies. Unlike basic tools like xclip, CopyQ provides persistent storage, editing capabilities, and advanced filtering, making it ideal for developers, power users, and multi-monitor setups. Runs as a daemon after first invocation.

CAVEATS

Requires running daemon instance (auto-starts on first use). Qt5/Qt6 dependency. Wayland support experimental. Large histories may consume disk space; configure pruning.

COMMON SUBCOMMANDS

show - Open GUI with current clipboard.
copy TEXT - Copy TEXT to clipboard.
read [N] - Print Nth clipboard item.
edit [N] - Edit Nth item.
history [tab] - Manage clipboard history.
toggle - Toggle monitoring.
search TEXT - Search items.

EXAMPLES

copyq copy "Hello World" - Copy text.
copyq show - View clipboard history GUI.
copyq read 0 image/png | display - - Show first image.
copyq tab new "Scripts" write text script.js - Add to new tab.

HISTORY

Developed by Lukas Holecek, originated as QCommandLine in 2011 for advanced command-line clipboard operations. Renamed to CopyQ in 2013 with GUI added. Actively maintained (latest v9+ in 2024), supports modern desktops, scripting evolved from basic to full ECMAScript. Widely used in Linux communities for superior history management.