Clipboard Manager

A Python-based clipboard manager that monitors and manages clipboard history with a clean terminal interface. Written as a personal tool, to do a simple job for Linux systems.

There are two versions:

colorful with Ascii art

plain and less distracting

Consider changing the commands in the following guide, if you should choose the plain version.

Features

• Monitor clipboard changes in real-time
• Maintain clipboard history (up to 5 entries by default)
• Colorized terminal output
• System service integration
• Desktop application support

Installation

1. Clone and Setup

git clone https://github.com/IominimoI/clipboard-manager.git
cd clipboard-manager

2. Make Script Executable

chmod +x clipboard-manager.py 

3. Create Symbolic Link for Easy Access

Create a symbolic link in your PATH to use cbm command:

sudo ln -s $(pwd)/clipboard-manager.py /usr/local/bin/cbm

Now you can run the clipboard manager from anywhere using:

cbm

System Service Setup

1. Install Service File

Copy the systemd service file to the user services directory:

mkdir -p ~/.config/systemd/user
cp clipboard-monitor.service ~/.config/systemd/user/

2. Update Service File Path

Edit the service file to use the correct path:

sed -i "s|/path/to/clipboard-manager.py|$(pwd)/clipboard-manager.py|g" ~/.config/systemd/user/clipboard-monitor.service

3. Enable and Start Service

# Reload systemd user daemon
systemctl --user daemon-reload

# Enable service to start on boot
systemctl --user enable clipboard-monitor.service

# Start the service now
systemctl --user start clipboard-monitor.service

# Check service status
systemctl --user status clipboard-monitor.service

Desktop Application Setup

1. Install Desktop Entry

Copy the desktop file to applications directory:

mkdir -p ~/.local/share/applications
cp clipboard-monitor.desktop ~/.local/share/applications/

2. Update Desktop File Path

sed -i "s|/path/to/clipboard-manager.py|$(pwd)/clipboard-manager.py|g" ~/.local/share/applications/clipboard-monitor.desktop

3. Update Desktop Database

update-desktop-database ~/.local/share/applications/

Dependencies

• Python 3.6+
• xclip (for clipboard access)

Install xclip:

# Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt install xclip

# Arch Linux
sudo pacman -S xclip

# Fedora
sudo dnf install xclip

Usage

Command Line

# Run directly
./clipboard-manager.py

# Or use the symbolic link
cbm

# View help
cbm --help

Service Management

# Start service
systemctl --user start clipboard-monitor.service

# Stop service
systemctl --user stop clipboard-monitor.service

# Restart service
systemctl --user restart clipboard-monitor.service

# View logs
journalctl --user -u clipboard-monitor.service -f

Configuration

The clipboard manager stores its history in ~/.clipboard_history. You can modify the following settings in the script:

• max_entries: Maximum number of clipboard entries to store (default: 5)
• history_file: Location of the history file

File Structure

clipboard-manager/
├── clipboard-manager.py          # Main application with color and Ascii art.
├── clipboard-manager-plain.py    # Simplified, less distracting version
├── clipboard-monitor.service     # Systemd service file
├── clipboard-monitor.desktop     # Desktop application file
└── README.md                     # This file

Troubleshooting

Service Not Starting

Check service logs:

journalctl --user -u clipboard-monitor.service

Clipboard Access Issues

Ensure xclip is installed and working:

echo "test" | xclip -selection clipboard
xclip -o -selection clipboard

Permission Issues

Make sure the script is executable:

chmod +x clipboard-manager.py

Uninstall

# Stop and disable service
systemctl --user stop clipboard-monitor.service
systemctl --user disable clipboard-monitor.service

# Remove files
rm ~/.config/systemd/user/clipboard-monitor.service
rm ~/.local/share/applications/clipboard-monitor.desktop
sudo rm /usr/local/bin/cbm

# Remove history file (optional)
rm ~/.clipboard_history

# Reload systemd and update desktop database
systemctl --user daemon-reload
update-desktop-database ~/.local/share/applications/

License

This project is open source. Feel free to modify and distribute.