https://github.com/septemberhx/mpaste
An clipboard manager alternative to Paste for Linux & Windows
https://github.com/septemberhx/mpaste
clipboard-manager linux qt6 windows
Last synced: 3 months ago
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An clipboard manager alternative to Paste for Linux & Windows
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/septemberhx/mpaste
- Owner: SeptemberHX
- License: gpl-3.0
- Created: 2021-05-22T02:51:47.000Z (about 5 years ago)
- Default Branch: master
- Last Pushed: 2026-04-05T02:23:45.000Z (3 months ago)
- Last Synced: 2026-04-05T04:21:51.947Z (3 months ago)
- Topics: clipboard-manager, linux, qt6, windows
- Language: C++
- Homepage:
- Size: 6.89 MB
- Stars: 12
- Watchers: 1
- Forks: 1
- Open Issues: 0
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: readme.md
- Changelog: CHANGELOG.md
- License: LICENSE
Awesome Lists containing this project
README
# MPaste
A modern clipboard manager for **Windows** and **Linux**, inspired by [Paste](https://pasteapp.io/) for macOS.
> MPaste has no affiliation with Paste for Mac. I just like its UX design and decided to build one in Qt.
Light mode:
Dark mode:
## Features
- **Clipboard history** — automatically captures text, links, images, rich text, files, colors, and Office content
- **Card-based UI** — each clipboard item rendered as a visual card with icon, thumbnail, and metadata
- **Boards** — "Clipboard" for live history, "Starred" for favorites; pin or star items independently
- **Search & filter** — type to search, filter by content type
- **Quick paste** — `Alt+[1-9, 0]` to paste by position; `Ctrl+Enter` or `Alt+Shift+[1-9, 0]` to paste as plain text
- **Space preview** — press `Space` to open a large, zoomable preview of the selected item
- **Dark / Light / System theme** — full theme support with smooth switching
- **Auto paste** — optionally paste immediately on item selection
- **Persistent history** — clipboard items saved to disk in `.mpaste v4` format with embedded thumbnails
- **Link preview** — fetches OpenGraph metadata and favicons for URL items
- **Multi-select** — `Ctrl`/`Shift` click to select multiple items for bulk favorite or delete
- **Configurable retention** — auto-cleanup history by days, weeks, or months
- **Global hotkey** — assign a system shortcut to toggle the MPaste window
## Keyboard Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| `Alt+[1-9, 0]` | Quick select and paste |
| `Alt+Shift+[1-9, 0]` | Quick select and paste as plain text |
| `Ctrl+Enter` | Paste selected item as plain text |
| `Space` | Toggle preview |
| `Left` / `Right` | Navigate items |
| `Tab` | Switch boards |
| Any character | Enter search mode |
Hold `Alt` to show shortcut hints on cards.
## Platform Notes
### Windows
- Global hotkey uses `Alt`-based toggle with Office/WPS ribbon-keytip avoidance
- Paste injection via simulated keypress (`Ctrl+V`, `Shift+Insert`, etc.)
### Linux
- X11 support with `xdotool` integration
- Wayland: window icons cannot be fetched (see `PlatformRelated.h`)
- On GNOME, install [Focus My Window](https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/1005/focus-my-window/) for proper focus after hotkey activation
- Deepin V20: download `.deb` from the release page
## Configuration
Config file: `~/.config/MPaste/MPaste.conf`
| Setting | Default |
|---|---|
| Max history size | 500 |
| History location | `~/.MPaste` |
| Auto paste | On |
## Build from Source
### Requirements
- C++17 compiler
- CMake 3.7+
- Qt 6 (Widgets, Multimedia, Network, Xml)
### Linux
```shell
sudo apt install cmake g++ make libkf5windowsystem-dev qttools5-dev libqt5x11extras5-dev qtmultimedia5-dev libgsettings-qt-dev
git clone https://github.com/SeptemberHX/MPaste
cd MPaste
mkdir build && cd build
cmake ..
make -j8
```
### Windows
```shell
cmake -B build -DMPASTE_QT_ROOT=C:/Qt/6.8.0/mingw_64
cmake --build build
```
Optional CMake flags:
| Flag | Description |
|---|---|
| `-DMPASTE_QT_ROOT=` | Qt installation prefix |
| `-DMPASTE_MINGW_BIN_DIR=` | MinGW runtime directory |
| `-DMPASTE_ENABLE_WINDOWS_DEPLOY=OFF` | Disable post-build packaging |
### Rendering Backend
Control the OpenGL backend via `MPASTE_OPENGL_BACKEND` environment variable:
| Value | Behavior |
|---|---|
| `auto` | System default |
| `gles` | Force OpenGL ES |
| `software` | Force software rendering |
## Credits
- [KDSingleApplication](https://github.com/KDAB/KDSingleApplication)
- Sound effects from [Zapsplat](https://www.zapsplat.com/)
- Icons by [Pixel Perfect](https://www.flaticon.com/authors/pixel-perfect) from [Flaticon](https://www.flaticon.com/)
## License
[GPLv3](LICENSE)