# Clipboard History

> Free, open-source clipboard manager for macOS — brings back recently copied text, links, rich text, direct PNG/TIFF images, and Finder items with Shift+Command+V (customizable). Keeps the last 1,000 copies by default (up to 10,000) and works offline.

Key facts:
- Requires macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later; Apple Silicon and Intel. Downloads are signed and notarized by Apple; disk-image size varies by release.
- macOS 26 Tahoe includes a separate recent clipboard history in Spotlight (Command+Space, then Command+4). Clipboard History also supports Sonoma and Sequoia and adds up to 10,000 searchable items, direct Shift+Command+V access, Finder file/folder references, groups, and permanent favorites.
- Captures plain text (including links and code), preserves RTF or HTML with a plain-text fallback, and stores direct PNG or TIFF clipboard images with bounded preview thumbnails. It does not perform OCR, QR recognition, or image-content search. Files and folders copied in Finder are stored by reference with previews and paste back as real Finder items.
- Instant search across text, links, and filenames; star favorites; organize clips into groups — starred and grouped clips are never auto-removed.
- Privacy: everything stays in a local SQLite file inside the app sandbox at ~/Library/Containers/app.clipboard-history/Data/Library/Application Support/Clipboard History/clipboard.sqlite. No account, no sync, no telemetry. Copies made while 1Password, Bitwarden, Dashlane, KeePassXC, Apple Passwords, Keychain Access, or LastPass is frontmost are skipped, as is content marked concealed, transient, or auto-generated on the clipboard. Ordinary unmarked secrets can still be recorded, so users can add sensitive apps to the skip list or pause recording.
- Overlay opens on the screen you're using, even over fullscreen apps. System / Light / Dark appearance. Menu-bar app with no Dock icon. Starting at login is an explicit first-run choice and can be changed in Settings; recording begins after setup is complete.
- Selecting a clip always restores it to the clipboard. Optional macOS event-posting access lets the app press Command+V automatically; without it, paste manually.
- Shortcuts: ⇧⌘V open (default, customizable) · type to search · ↑↓ navigate · ⏎ paste · ⌘1–9 paste item directly · ⌥1–9 switch tabs · ⌘D star · ⌘⌫ delete · ⌘R reveal file in Finder · ⇧⌘F Favorites tab · ⎋ close.

## Docs

- [Home](https://clipboard-history.cc/) — product overview, features, and FAQ
- [Features](https://clipboard-history.cc/#features) — full list of capabilities
- [FAQ](https://clipboard-history.cc/faq/) — setup, privacy, compatibility, permissions, files, updates, and uninstall answers
- [Privacy](https://clipboard-history.cc/privacy/) — local storage, password-manager exclusions, network behavior, and data controls
- [Keyboard shortcuts](https://clipboard-history.cc/keyboard-shortcuts/) — complete shortcut reference and keyboard-only workflow
- [macOS clipboard history guide](https://clipboard-history.cc/mac-clipboard-history/) — current Tahoe, Sequoia, and Sonoma options, including Apple’s Spotlight shortcut
- [Best free clipboard managers for Mac](https://clipboard-history.cc/best-free-clipboard-managers-mac/) — transparent comparison of Apple, Maccy, Clipboard History, Raycast, and other options
- [Maccy comparison](https://clipboard-history.cc/compare/maccy/) — who should choose Maccy or Clipboard History
- [Raycast comparison](https://clipboard-history.cc/compare/raycast/) — focused clipboard app versus a broad productivity launcher
- [Paste comparison](https://clipboard-history.cc/compare/paste/) — local-only free history versus paid cross-device sync
- [Alfred comparison](https://clipboard-history.cc/compare/alfred/) — standalone free history versus Alfred Powerpack
- [Files, folders, and images](https://clipboard-history.cc/clipboard-history-files-folders-mac/) — Finder references, direct PNG/TIFF clipboard images, previews, and pasting
- [Security](https://clipboard-history.cc/security/) — local storage, exclusions, permissions, updates, and download verification
- [Uninstall guide](https://clipboard-history.cc/uninstall/) — remove the app, sandboxed clipboard database, and optional auto-paste permission

## Download

- [Download](https://clipboard-history.cc/download/) — official free download and installation details for macOS 14 or later
- [GitHub Releases](https://github.com/gug007/clipboard-history/releases) — all release builds and changelogs

## Source

- [GitHub Repository](https://github.com/gug007/clipboard-history) — open-source code, issues, and contributions