Show HN: ClipCapsule – A Clipboard Manager for Linux (Built with Go and Wails)

[victorevogor]

https://github.com/Victor-Evogor/clipcapsule

Hey HN

I built a tool called ClipCapsule, a clipboard manager for Linux that's designed to be entirely keyboard-driven.

Here’s what it does:

Lets you recall and paste previous clipboard entries using just CTRL + SHIFT + 1~9.

Keeps a history of everything you copy, in a local database.

Moves selected items to the top of the clipboard stack (so CTRL + V pastes it).

Built with Go + WailsJS for a fast native feel.

No cloud. No telemetry. No fluff.

Right now, you’ll need to run it with sudo or allow access to /dev/input/eventX for keyboard capture. We’re working on a proper daemon mode, so you won’t need the GUI open to use shortcuts.

This is still a work in progress, but it’s already been boosting my workflow. I’d love feedback or contributions from anyone interested!

GitHub: https://github.com/Victor-Evogor/clipcapsule Screenshot & demo GIFs coming soon!

Would love to hear your thoughts or feature ideas.

[I_complete_me]

> so you won’t need the GUI open to use shortcuts

I've been looking for a Linux clipboard manager to use over SSH but they all error out with for example (on running SSH in Windows Warp to access a LAN Linux box):

     echo "doodah" | xclip -selection c
    Error: Can't open display: (null)

Here I am trying to copy to the X-11 clipboard in order to paste elsewhere inside the Linux box -- hope that's not too confusing!

Will your (eventual) clipboard manager work over SSH for this use case?

[yjftsjthsd-h → I_complete_me]

You can just connect to a running X session from an SSH shell; if your X server is on display :0 (usually the default), then you just

  export DISPLAY=:0
  echo foo | xclip -selection clipboard

This even can work with Wayland, where it becomes

  export WAYLAND_DISPLAY=wayland-1
  echo foo | wl-copy

(Note that AFAICT Wayland sessions number from 1 instead of 0)

[olejorgenb]

I assume this is X11 only or using one of the wayland protocols which is not supported by all major compositors?

(The exception likely being Gnome, which seems to be very set against implementing protocols allowing generic applications like this to work)

[victorevogor → olejorgenb]

Yes, the current version is X11-only, and we’re using direct device access (e.g. reading from /dev/input/eventX) to detect global keyboard shortcuts.

[sparrish]

Interesting idea. Parcellite works better for me though. It's been around forever, captures both 'select' and 'copy' and can paste with a middle click or Ctl-v with or without formatting.

[victorevogor → sparrish]

Haven't heard of it. Will try it

[spatterl1ght]

how does this compare to KDE's Klipper?

https://userbase.kde.org/Klipper

[victorevogor → spatterl1ght]

Klipper is great if you're using KDE and prefer something integrated with your desktop environment. It gives you a history, popup UI, and mouse-driven selection.

ClipCapsule is more minimal and focused on a keyboard-only workflow. The idea is that you can hit something like CTRL + SHIFT + 3 and instantly move that item to the top of your clipboard stack, so the next CTRL + V pastes it. No popups, no menus,just fast switching.

It’s also built in Go and Wails, and listens for raw keyboard events (currently X11-only), so it works outside of any particular desktop environment. Still early, but it’s aimed at people who prefer keeping their hands on the keyboard.