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CopyQ
Clipboard manager with advanced features
System UtilitiesFreeOpen Source
CopyQ — Official Website
Quick Take: CopyQ
4.7
CopyQ stands out as an exceptionally powerful and versatile open-source clipboard manager for macOS, offering a rich feature set that goes far beyond basic clipboard history. Its ability to handle diverse data types, organize content into customizable tabs, and provide extensive scripting capabilities makes it an invaluable tool for productivity. While its cross-platform UI might not always feel as natively integrated as some Mac-specific apps, and the initial setup requires careful attention to macOS permissions, its open-source nature, deep customization, and robust functionality more than compensate for these minor drawbacks. For users willing to invest a small amount of time in configuration, CopyQ transforms the macOS clipboard into a highly efficient and indispensable utility.
Best For
- •Power Users
- •Developers and Programmers
- •Content Creators and Writers
- •Anyone needing advanced clipboard management and automation
Install with Homebrew
brew install --cask copyqWhat is Copyq?
CopyQ is an advanced, open-source, and cross-platform clipboard manager designed to enhance the default macOS clipboard functionality. It automatically monitors the system clipboard, saving diverse content like text, HTML, and images into customizable tabs for easy access. Users can quickly browse, filter, edit, and paste previously copied items, streamlining workflows and preventing data loss. This tool offers powerful features including system-wide shortcuts, a robust command-line interface, and extensive scripting capabilities for automation.
Deep Dive: Copyq
An in-depth look at Copyq for Mac.
History & Background
Copyq has been a staple in the Mac ecosystem. It was developed to address specific user needs on macOS.
How It Works
Copyq is built for macOS and integrates with the operating system's native APIs.
Ecosystem & Integrations
Copyq works well alongside other Mac productivity tools.
Future Development
Copyq continues to receive updates with new features and macOS compatibility improvements.
Key Features
Clipboard History Management
CopyQ maintains an unlimited, persistent history of copied items, encompassing text, HTML, images, and custom formats, ensuring data is never lost. Users can easily scroll through this history to retrieve and reuse past clipboard contents.
Tabbed Organization
Clipboard history can be organized into customizable tabs, allowing users to categorize and manage different types of copied information or project-specific snippets. Items are easily sorted, edited, and moved between these tabs, providing a flexible and structured approach to content management.
Search and Filtering
A blazing-fast search function allows instant retrieval of specific items from the extensive clipboard history by typing directly into the main window or menu. Advanced filtering capabilities further refine results efficiently.
Customizable Shortcuts
CopyQ provides extensive system-wide keyboard shortcut support for quick access to its main window, tray menu, and direct pasting of items. These shortcuts are fully customizable, empowering users to tailor the application to their preferred keyboard-driven workflows.
Advanced Scripting and Command-Line Interface
Power users benefit from CopyQ's robust command-line interface and scripting capabilities, utilizing a JavaScript-like language. This enables task automation, creation of custom actions, and dynamic manipulation of clipboard content, greatly extending functionality.
Image Handling
CopyQ excels in storing and displaying images, including screenshots, within its clipboard history, a feature often absent in simpler clipboard managers. Users can preview images directly within the application and save them to files.
Text Editing and Manipulation
Text items in the clipboard history can be directly edited within CopyQ using its built-in editor or an external tool. The application also supports various text transformations, such as changing case, stripping formatting, or pasting as plain text, enhancing content adaptability.
Content Exclusion and Encryption
Users can configure CopyQ to ignore clipboard content from specific applications (e.g., password managers) or containing certain text, bolstering privacy. Version 14.0.0 and above also offers built-in encryption for tabs and items, with macOS Keychain integration for secure key storage.
Who Should Use CopyQ?
1Developer/Programmer
A developer frequently copies code snippets, error messages, and API documentation. CopyQ allows them to quickly access a history of these items across multiple tabs, edit snippets before pasting, and even automate common coding tasks via scripting, saving significant context-switching time.
2Writer/Editor
A writer working on a long document needs to gather various pieces of information, quotes, and research notes. CopyQ enables them to collect numerous text clips, organize them into topic-specific tabs, and then paste them in order or selectively, ensuring no crucial information is lost.
3Graphic Designer/Content Creator
A designer often copies image assets, color codes, and design elements. CopyQ's ability to store and preview images, alongside text and other formats, centralizes all visual and textual clipboard content, accelerating the creative workflow.
4Researcher/Student
When conducting research, a student or researcher copies text from articles, links, and data points. CopyQ maintains a comprehensive, searchable history of all copied references and notes, which can be tagged and organized for efficient retrieval when compiling findings.
5Power User/Automator
Individuals relying on automation and keyboard-driven workflows can leverage CopyQ's command-line interface and scripting features to create custom actions and programmatically manage their clipboard. This deep level of control makes their system incredibly efficient and tailored.
How to Install Copyq on Mac
CopyQ can be conveniently installed on macOS (version 13 and above) using Homebrew, a popular package manager for the platform.
1
Install Homebrew (if not already installed)
Open your Terminal application and run the following command to install Homebrew: `/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"` Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
2
Install CopyQ via Homebrew Cask
Once Homebrew is installed, use the following command in your Terminal to install CopyQ: `brew install --cask copyq`. This command downloads and installs the CopyQ application to your Applications folder.
3
Grant Accessibility Permissions
After installation, CopyQ requires Accessibility access to function correctly on macOS, especially for pasting. Go to System Settings -> Privacy & Security -> Accessibility, click the unlock button, and then add or re-enable CopyQ from the list. If CopyQ is already listed, untick and retick it to re-grant permissions, particularly after updates.
4
Enable Command-Line Interface (Optional)
To use CopyQ's command-line interface (CLI) directly from the Terminal, you may need to create a symlink manually: `sudo ln -sf /Applications/CopyQ.app/Contents/MacOS/CopyQ /usr/local/bin/copyq`. After this, you can use the CLI effectively.
Pro Tips
- • If you encounter issues like 'CopyQ is damaged' or 'CopyQ cannot be opened' after installation, you might need to run `xattr -d com.apple.quarantine /Applications/CopyQ.app` and `codesign --force --deep --sign - /Applications/CopyQ.app` in Terminal to resolve them.
- • To ensure CopyQ starts automatically with your system, enable the 'Autostart' option within CopyQ's preferences (File -> Preferences -> General).
- • On macOS, use the Command (⌘) key instead of Ctrl for default shortcuts mentioned in general CopyQ documentation.
Configuration Tips
Customize Global Shortcuts
To optimize your workflow, assign a custom global shortcut to quickly show/hide the main CopyQ window or the tray menu. Navigate to 'File -> Commands/Global Shortcuts', click 'Add', select 'Show/hide main window', and set your preferred key combination. This allows for instant access without reaching for the mouse.
Configure Content Storage and Tabs
Adjust how CopyQ stores content by going to 'File -> Preferences -> History'. You can set the maximum number of items to store, define specific tabs for different content types, and even disable clipboard storing temporarily or permanently if needed. Organizing items into custom tabs (e.g., 'Code', 'Text Snippets', 'Images') can significantly improve content management.
Ignore Sensitive Content
For enhanced privacy, configure CopyQ to ignore clipboard content copied from specific applications or containing certain text patterns. Access this setting in 'File -> Preferences -> General -> Ignore Clipboard'. This is particularly useful for preventing passwords or other sensitive information from being stored in your clipboard history.
Utilize Scripting for Automation
Explore CopyQ's powerful scripting interface (accessible via 'F5' or 'F6' for actions/commands or `copyq eval` from CLI) to automate repetitive tasks or create custom clipboard manipulations. You can define actions to process clipboard changes, organize items, or interact with other applications, leveraging its JavaScript-like language.
Alternatives to CopyQ
For Mac users seeking alternatives to CopyQ, several other clipboard managers offer varying features and user experiences.
M
Maccy
Maccy is a lightweight, open-source clipboard manager specifically designed for macOS, known for its clean interface and fast performance. While it handles essential clipboard history and quick search, it typically lacks CopyQ's extensive customization, scripting, and advanced features like tab organization or image editing. It's often preferred for a simpler, more native macOS experience.
P
Paste
Paste is a highly polished, subscription-based clipboard manager for macOS, iOS, and iPadOS, notable for its beautiful UI and iCloud sync capabilities. It excels in visual organization and cross-device syncing, features not native to CopyQ's open-source version. Paste prioritizes a visual, synced history over CopyQ's deep scripting and command-line automation.
D
Ditto
Ditto is a free and open-source clipboard manager, widely recognized on Windows, but also available on other platforms, offering robust features similar to CopyQ. It provides extensive history, search, and customization. However, its macOS port might not feel as optimized or actively developed for the Mac ecosystem as CopyQ, which benefits from stronger cross-platform documentation and community engagement.
C
Clipy
Clipy is another free and open-source macOS clipboard manager, valued for its simplicity and minimal footprint. It provides basic clipboard history, snippets, and customizable shortcuts. Compared to CopyQ, Clipy offers a more streamlined feature set, suitable for users who need core clipboard management without CopyQ's advanced scripting, tab organization, or comprehensive image handling.
Pricing
Free/Open-Source
CopyQ is a completely free and open-source application, making its powerful features accessible to everyone without any upfront cost or subscription fees. While the software itself is free, the developers welcome and rely on donations to support its ongoing development and maintenance.
Pros
- ✓Extensive Clipboard History: Stores unlimited history of diverse data types, including text, HTML, and images, ensuring no data loss.
- ✓Robust Tab Organization: Efficiently categorizes and manages clipboard items using customizable tabs.
- ✓Rapid Search & Filtering: Quickly retrieves specific items from history with powerful search and filtering capabilities.
- ✓Highly Customizable: Offers deep customization for appearance, shortcuts, and behavior to suit individual user needs.
- ✓Advanced Scripting/CLI: Enables extensive automation via a powerful scripting engine and command-line interface.
- ✓Cross-Platform Support: Provides a consistent tool across macOS, Windows, and Linux.
- ✓Enhanced Privacy/Security: Features content exclusion from specific apps and built-in encryption.
- ✓Active Community: Benefits from ongoing open-source development and strong community support.
Cons
- ✗Accessibility Permissions: Requires manual granting or re-granting of macOS Accessibility permissions, often after updates, which can be inconvenient.
- ✗Steeper Learning Curve: Full utilization of advanced features like scripting and deep customization demands some technical understanding.
- ✗Non-Native UI Feel: Its cross-platform interface might appear less integrated or polished compared to macOS-native clipboard managers.
- ✗Initial Setup Challenges: Users may face 'damaged app' errors or unavailable CLI after Homebrew installation, necessitating additional terminal commands.
- ✗No Native iCloud Sync: The open-source version lacks native iCloud synchronization for clipboard history across Apple devices, unlike some paid alternatives.
Community & Ecosystem
CopyQ benefits from a vibrant open-source community, with its development hosted on GitHub, where users can report bugs, suggest features, and contribute to the codebase. The official documentation provides comprehensive guides on installation, basic usage, advanced scripting, and FAQs, serving as a primary resource for users. Additionally, users can find support and discussions on various online forums and platforms like Reddit, where dedicated communities share tips, troubleshoot issues, and discuss workflows related to CopyQ and other clipboard managers. The project also maintains a mailing list for updates and discussions, fostering an active ecosystem around the application.
Video Tutorials
Getting Started with CopyQ
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Frequently Asked Questions about CopyQ
CopyQ is highly versatile, storing plain text, rich text (HTML), images, and various custom formats. This broad support ensures almost anything copied to your system clipboard can be managed and reused effectively.
Our Verdict
4.7/5
CopyQ stands out as an exceptionally powerful and versatile open-source clipboard manager for macOS, offering a rich feature set that goes far beyond basic clipboard history. Its ability to handle diverse data types, organize content into customizable tabs, and provide extensive scripting capabilities makes it an invaluable tool for productivity. While its cross-platform UI might not always feel as natively integrated as some Mac-specific apps, and the initial setup requires careful attention to macOS permissions, its open-source nature, deep customization, and robust functionality more than compensate for these minor drawbacks. For users willing to invest a small amount of time in configuration, CopyQ transforms the macOS clipboard into a highly efficient and indispensable utility.
Best for:Power UsersDevelopers and ProgrammersContent Creators and WritersAnyone needing advanced clipboard management and automation
About the Author
Productivity & Workflow Analyst
Productivity ApplicationsNote-Taking & Knowledge ManagementTask & Project Management
8+ years in operations management · PMP certified
Related Technologies & Concepts
CopyQmacOSHomebrewQtClipboard ManagementScriptingRaycastAlfredMaccyPaste
CopyQ (Primary subject of this page), macOS (Target operating system platform), Homebrew (Recommended package manager for installation), Qt (Cross-platform framework used to build CopyQ), Clipboard Management (Core functionality and primary purpose), Scripting (Advanced feature for custom actions and automation), Raycast (Alternative productivity launcher with a clipboard manager extension), Alfred (Alternative productivity app with built-in clipboard history), Maccy (Open-source, lightweight macOS clipboard manager alternative), Paste (Commercial macOS clipboard manager alternative)
Related Topics
Clipboard Managers
Essential utilities that extend macOS's native clipboard by storing a history of copied items, enabling quick access, search, and manipulation of past clipboard contents.
Productivity Tools
Software applications designed to enhance user efficiency, streamline workflows, and manage information more effectively across various tasks.
Developer Tools
Applications and utilities that assist developers in coding, debugging, testing, and automating tasks, often including scripting capabilities.
Sources & References
Fact-CheckedLast verified: Feb 15, 2026
Key Verified Facts
- CopyQ is a free and open-source advanced clipboard manager.[cite-1, cite-2]
- It supports storing text, HTML, images, and other custom formats in its history.[cite-1, cite-3]
- Users can edit clipboard history items directly and customize their appearance.[cite-1, cite-3]
- CopyQ offers powerful scripting capabilities for custom actions and automation.[cite-1, cite-3]
- On macOS, CopyQ can be conveniently installed using Homebrew Cask.[cite-4]
- 1CopyQ - GitHub Repository
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 2CopyQ Documentation
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 3Homebrew Formulae - CopyQ
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 4CopyQ Releases
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 5CopyQ Wiki
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
Research queries: Copyq Mac app review 2026