How to use the command pbcopy (with examples)

The pbcopy command allows you to copy data from stdin to the clipboard in macOS. This command is comparable to pressing Cmd + C on the keyboard. It is a convenient way to copy file contents or command output without having to use the mouse or trackpad to manually select and copy text.

Use case 1: Place the contents of a specific file in the clipboard

Code:

pbcopy < path/to/file

Motivation: Imagine you have a text file with important content that you want to share with someone via email or an instant messaging platform. Instead of manually selecting and copying the text from the file, you can use pbcopy to copy the file’s contents to the clipboard in one simple command. This saves time and effort.

Explanation:

• pbcopy: The command itself.
• < path/to/file: The file whose contents you want to copy. Replace “path/to/file” with the actual path to the specific file you want to use.

Example output: Let’s assume you have a file named “example.txt” located in the “Documents” folder. Its contents are as follows:

This is an example file.
It contains some important content.

When you run the following command:

pbcopy < ~/Documents/example.txt

The contents of the file will be copied to the clipboard. You can then paste it wherever you need it, such as an email or chat message.

Use case 2: Place the results of a specific command in the clipboard

Code:

find . -type f -name "*.png" | pbcopy

Motivation: Let’s say you are working on a project and need to share a list of all the PNG files in a directory with your colleague. Instead of manually selecting and copying the output of the find command, you can use pbcopy to copy the list of file names to the clipboard. This makes it easier to share the information with others.

Explanation:

• find . -type f -name "*.png": This command uses the find utility to locate all the files with a “.png” extension in the current directory and its subdirectories.
  • .: Represents the current directory.
  • -type f: Specifies that only regular files should be considered.
  • -name "*.png": Matches files with names ending in “.png”.
• |: The pipe operator redirects the output of the find command to the pbcopy command.
• pbcopy: The command itself.

Example output: Suppose you have the following PNG files in a directory:

• /path/to/images/image1.png
• /path/to/images/image2.png
• /path/to/images/image3.png

When you run the command:

find /path/to/images/ -type f -name "*.png" | pbcopy

The file paths will be copied to the clipboard. You can then paste them into a text document or any other application.

Conclusion:

The pbcopy command in macOS provides a convenient way to copy data from stdin to the clipboard. Whether you want to copy the contents of a specific file or the output of a command, pbcopy makes it easier to share information with others or transfer data between applications. By using these examples, you can utilize the power of pbcopy in your everyday tasks.