Clippy MCP server

Clippy 📎

Copy files from your terminal that actually paste into GUI apps. No more switching to Finder.

macOS only - built specifically for the Mac clipboard system.

Why Clippy?

pbcopy copies file contents, but GUI apps need file references. When you pbcopy < image.png, you can't paste it into Slack or email - those apps expect files, not raw bytes.

Clippy bridges this gap by detecting what you want and using the right clipboard format:

# Copy files as references (paste into any GUI app)
clippy report.pdf         # ⌘V into Slack/email - uploads the file
clippy *.jpg             # Multiple files at once

# Pipe data as files
curl -sL https://picsum.photos/300 | clippy  # Download → clipboard as file

# Copy your most recent download (immediate)
clippy -r                # Grabs the file you just downloaded
clippy -r 3              # Copy 3 most recent downloads

# Interactive picker for recent files
clippy -i               # Choose from list of recent downloads
clippy -i 5m            # Show picker for last 5 minutes only

Stay in your terminal. Copy anything. Paste anywhere.

Installation:

brew install clippy

The Terminal-First Clipboard Suite: Clippy copies files to clipboard, includes an MCP server for AI assistants, Pasty pastes intelligently, and Draggy (optional GUI) bridges drag-and-drop workflows. Use as a Go library for custom integrations. All designed to minimize context switching from your terminal.

Core Features

1. Smart File Copying

clippy document.pdf    # Copies as file reference (paste into any app)
clippy notes.txt       # Also copies as file reference
clippy -t notes.txt    # Use -t flag to copy text content instead
clippy *.jpg          # Multiple files at once

2. Recent Downloads

# Immediate copy (no UI)
clippy -r              # Copy your most recent download
clippy -r 3            # Copy 3 most recent downloads
clippy -r 5m           # Copy all downloads from last 5 minutes

# Interactive picker
clippy -i              # Choose from list of recent downloads
clippy -i 3            # Show picker with 3 most recent files
clippy -i 5m           # Show picker for last 5 minutes only

# Copy and paste in one step
clippy -r --paste      # Copy most recent and paste here
clippy -i --paste      # Pick file, copy it, and paste here

3. Find Files with Spotlight

clippy -f invoice      # Search for files matching "invoice"
clippy -f screenshot   # Find screenshots
clippy -f .pdf         # Find all PDF files (by extension)
clippy -f report.xlsx  # Find specific file "report.xlsx"
# Shows interactive picker with results

No more switching to Finder to search for files - find and copy them directly from your terminal.

4. Pipe Data as Files

curl -sL https://example.com/image.jpg | clippy
cat archive.tar.gz | clippy

5. Copy and Paste Together

clippy ~/Downloads/report.pdf --paste  # Copy to clipboard AND paste here
clippy -r --paste          # Copy recent download and paste here
clippy -i --paste           # Pick file, copy it, and paste here

6. Clear Clipboard

Shortened. The full README is on GitHub.