About CopyQ
An independent resource dedicated to the clipboard manager that changed how people work with copied content.
What Is CopyQ?
CopyQ is an open-source clipboard manager that keeps a searchable history of everything you copy. Text, images, HTML, custom MIME types – it stores them all in an organized, tabbed interface where you can browse, edit, filter, and script actions on your clipboard items.
Most operating systems only hold one item in the clipboard at a time. Copy something new and the old item vanishes. CopyQ fixes that by maintaining a persistent history that runs quietly in your system tray. You can recall any previous clipboard entry with a keyboard shortcut, search through hundreds of stored items, or set up automated actions that trigger when specific content is copied.
The application runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it one of the few clipboard managers that works across all major desktop platforms with a consistent experience.
Development History
CopyQ has been under active development for over a decade, growing from a personal utility into one of the most capable clipboard managers available.
Project Started
Developer Lukas Holecek began building CopyQ as a personal tool to manage clipboard content more efficiently. The project was written in C++ using the Qt framework, giving it native performance and cross-platform compatibility from the start.
Open-Source Release
The project was published on GitHub under the GNU GPLv3 license, opening it up to community contributions and feedback. Early adopters on Linux quickly picked it up as a reliable clipboard solution.
Scripting Engine Added
A built-in scripting engine was introduced, allowing users to write custom commands and automate clipboard workflows. This feature turned CopyQ from a simple clipboard history tool into a programmable clipboard platform.
Wayland & Modern Features
Support for Wayland display server on Linux was added alongside improvements to tab organization, tree view browsing, and theme customization. The interface received a visual refresh while maintaining its functional design.
Version 13.0.0
The latest major release brought further refinements to the scripting API, improved handling of custom MIME types, and performance optimizations for users with large clipboard histories.
What CopyQ Does
Searchable Clipboard History
Every item you copy gets stored and indexed. Search through your entire clipboard history by typing a few characters. Find that phone number or code snippet you copied three days ago.
Tabbed Organization
Organize clipboard items into tabs – one for code snippets, another for URLs, a third for project notes. Drag and drop items between tabs to keep things sorted.
Built-in Scripting
Write custom commands using a JavaScript-like scripting engine. Automate text transformations, trigger actions when specific content is copied, or build complex clipboard workflows.
Global Shortcuts
Assign keyboard shortcuts to paste specific items, open the clipboard browser, or trigger custom commands. Access any clipboard function without touching your mouse.
Command-Line Interface
Control CopyQ from the terminal. Read, write, and manipulate clipboard items through CLI commands. Integrate with shell scripts, cron jobs, or other automation tools.
Customizable Appearance
Switch between light and dark themes, adjust colors, fonts, and transparency. Make CopyQ look exactly how you want it to look on your desktop.
The Developer
Lukas Holecek
CopyQ is the work of Lukas Holecek, a software developer who has maintained the project as a solo open-source effort for over 15 years. His GitHub profile (hluk) shows a focused dedication to CopyQ, with thousands of commits spanning from the project’s creation to the present day.
The project reflects a developer who builds software to solve real problems. Rather than chasing trends, Holecek has steadily added features that users actually request – better scripting capabilities, improved platform support, and more flexible organization options. The result is a tool that feels purpose-built by someone who uses it daily.
CopyQ is released under the GNU GPLv3 license, which means the source code is freely available and anyone can contribute, modify, or distribute it.
Why People Use CopyQ
On Reddit and developer forums, CopyQ consistently gets recommended as the best clipboard manager for Linux and one of the best cross-platform options available. Users describe it as a “life saver” for their daily workflows.
Developers use it to store code snippets, designers keep color codes and text fragments organized, and writers maintain a running collection of reference material – all accessible through a quick keyboard shortcut.
The scripting engine is what sets CopyQ apart from simpler alternatives like Ditto or Maccy. While those tools handle basic clipboard history well, CopyQ lets power users build automated workflows that transform, filter, or route clipboard content based on custom rules. Users who invest time learning the scripting system report that it fundamentally changes how they interact with their clipboard.
The application has grown a dedicated user base that values its reliability, feature depth, and cross-platform consistency. For many, switching to CopyQ is a one-way trip – the clipboard history alone makes it impossible to go back to the default system clipboard.
About This Website
Independent Resource
copyq.net is a fan-made, independent informational website. We are not affiliated with Lukas Holecek or the official CopyQ project in any way.
We built this site because we believe CopyQ deserves a dedicated resource that helps users discover the software, find accurate download links, and learn how to get the most out of its features.
- We link to official sources for all downloads – we never host or modify software files
- Our guides and tutorials are written to help new users get started quickly
- We verify download links point to legitimate, official releases
- We respect the developer and encourage users to support the official project
For the official CopyQ documentation and source code, visit the official CopyQ website or the GitHub repository.
Get in Touch
Have questions about this website or suggestions for improving our content?
Visit our Contact page to reach the team behind copyq.net.
For official CopyQ support, bug reports, or feature requests, please visit the CopyQ GitHub Issues page.