How to use the command 'copyq' (with examples)
CopyQ is a clipboard manager with advanced features. It allows users to store and manage clipboard history, making it easy to access previously copied or cut content. This article will provide examples of various use cases for the ‘copyq’ command, along with explanations and motivations for each example.
Use case 1: Launch CopyQ to store clipboard history
Code:
copyq
Motivation: By simply running the ‘copyq’ command without any arguments, CopyQ is launched, and it starts storing clipboard history. This is useful when you want to start tracking copied or cut content immediately without specifying any additional options.
Explanation: The command ‘copyq’ is used to launch CopyQ and start tracking clipboard history. No additional arguments are required for this use case.
Example output: CopyQ is launched, and it starts storing clipboard history.
Use case 2: Show current clipboard content
Code:
copyq clipboard
Motivation: Sometimes, it is necessary to quickly check the content of the current clipboard. This use case allows users to retrieve the current clipboard content without accessing the graphical user interface of CopyQ.
Explanation: The command ‘copyq clipboard’ retrieves and displays the content of the current clipboard.
Example output: The current clipboard content is displayed.
Use case 3: Insert raw text into the clipboard history
Code:
copyq add -- text1 text2 text3
Motivation: To add specific text to the clipboard history, this use case allows for the insertion of multiple raw text items at once. This is useful when you want to store specific text snippets that need to be accessed later.
Explanation: The command ‘copyq add – text1 text2 text3’ inserts the text ’text1’, ’text2’, and ’text3’ into the clipboard history as separate items.
Example output: The raw text items ’text1’, ’text2’, and ’text3’ are added to the clipboard history as separate items.
Use case 4: Insert text containing escape sequences into the clipboard history
Code:
copyq add firstline\nsecondline
Motivation: In some cases, it is necessary to store text containing escape sequences, such as newline characters (’\n’) or tab characters (’\t’), in the clipboard history. This use case allows users to insert text with escape sequences, preserving the intended formatting.
Explanation: The command ‘copyq add firstline\nsecondline’ inserts the text ‘firstline\nsecondline’ into the clipboard history as a single item, retaining the newline sequence.
Example output: The text ‘firstline\nsecondline’ is added to the clipboard history as a single item, with the newline sequence correctly preserved.
Use case 5: Print the content of the first 3 items in the clipboard history
Code:
copyq read 0 1 2
Motivation: When there is a need to view specific items in the clipboard history, this use case allows users to print the content of the selected items. It is useful when you want to quickly check the stored content without accessing the graphical user interface.
Explanation: The command ‘copyq read 0 1 2’ retrieves and prints the content of the items at index positions 0, 1, and 2 in the clipboard history.
Example output: The content of the first three items in the clipboard history is displayed.
Use case 6: Copy a file’s contents into the clipboard
Code:
copyq copy < file.txt
Motivation: In certain scenarios, copying a file’s content into the clipboard can be helpful. This use case allows for copying the content of a specified file into the clipboard, making it accessible for pasting in other applications.
Explanation: The command ‘copyq copy < file.txt’ reads the contents of ‘file.txt’ and copies them into the clipboard.
Example output: The content of ‘file.txt’ is copied into the clipboard.
Use case 7: Copy a JPEG image into the clipboard
Code:
copyq copy image/jpeg < image.jpg
Motivation: When working with images, copying them directly into the clipboard can be convenient. This use case enables users to copy a JPEG image into the clipboard, making it available for pasting in other applications.
Explanation: The command ‘copyq copy image/jpeg < image.jpg’ reads the contents of ‘image.jpg’, treats it as a JPEG image, and copies it into the clipboard.
Example output: The JPEG image ‘image.jpg’ is copied into the clipboard.
Conclusion:
The ‘copyq’ command provides a range of functionalities for managing the clipboard history using CopyQ. From launching the application and adding items to the history to copying files or images into the clipboard, these examples cover various use cases that can enhance productivity and streamline workflow when working with copied or cut content.
