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Simple clipboard history + cross-device sync
Posted: 22 Jul 2026 09:41
by Native2904
Hi,
Since XYplorer already has this clipboard functionality built in, what I’d really love is for it to go a step further: a simple clipboard history that just saves entries as plain files, so you could open and edit them afterwards in a text editor if needed. Nothing fancy, just that.
And since XYplorer is (hopefully) heading towards Mac and Linux versions at some point - it would be amazing if that clipboard history could sync across devices too. On my Mac I use Alfred as a launcher, which has a clipboard feature built in. On Windows I’m on CopyQ, on Linux there’s usually some native clipper. Being able to copy something on Windows and paste it on Mac/Linux (via Dropbox, OneDrive, whatever) would be a huge quality-of-life improvement.
Just an idea
Re: Simple clipboard history + cross-device sync
Posted: 28 Aug 2026 10:48
by admin
Well, there is specialized software for this.
Re: Simple clipboard history + cross-device sync
Posted: 28 Aug 2026 13:18
by Horst
Actual Windows already has a Clipboard history.
Hotkey is Win+V
Re: Simple clipboard history + cross-device sync
Posted: 28 Aug 2026 17:09
by rpnfan
I would rather have XY focus on what it is for than creating a total new application.
There are many clipboard managers, some offer direct cross-device sync as well. I do not need that normally and my favorite by far is Clipangel.
Re: Simple clipboard history + cross-device sync
Posted: 30 Aug 2026 19:24
by Native2904
2admin
OK, it was perhaps a silly idea, but thanks anyway for your reply.
2 rpnfan
I can certainly see your point… my idea was partly driven by my desire to have everything in one place. Clipangel looks really good… but it’s a bit too cluttered for my liking.
I’d rather have XY focus on what it’s designed for than create a completely new application.
Isn’t XY already one of the best file managers out there – do you really think a small menu for searching clipboard entries would detract from it in any way??
Re: Simple clipboard history + cross-device sync
Posted: 31 Aug 2026 11:38
by rpnfan
Not sure what you mean with Clipangel being "cluttered". It is -- like XY -- not totally self explaining, but when you look at the features you quickly see that with just a few shortcuts or use scenarios you get a lot out of it.
I personally do not know why a file-manager should look at the clipboard. Especially when Windows itself has a clipboard history feature already -- are you aware of that?
Re: Simple clipboard history + cross-device sync
Posted: 31 Aug 2026 13:32
by Native2904
Why do u use Clipangel when there’s already a Windows version?
For the simple reason that I’m still used to being able to find my clips again for later use… (recurring entries).
The reason I came up with the idea of "connecting" a file manager with a clipboard manager is actually quite simple. On the one hand, I have an
Ultimate File Manager that handles files in pretty much the best way possible. On the other hand, I have a “specialized piece of software” that stores clips and makes them accessible and editable afterwards. So, if I’m not mistaken, combining the two basically results in a manager that can turn clips into files. That’s really the only small thing it can do that XYplorer can’t. In pretty much everything else, XYplorer does the job 100,000 times better.
I love my XY
Re: Simple clipboard history + cross-device sync
Posted: 31 Aug 2026 23:06
by eil
@Native2904 well, if you really want to have a clipboard manager in XY, you can do that to some extent = with XY scripting + txt / paper folders.
Re: Simple clipboard history + cross-device sync
Posted: 04 Sep 2026 19:56
by Native2904
Hi eil,
I haven't actually been using XYplorer for all that long, but I've put together some logic here that already covers what I need pretty well.
It's an
AHK script acting as a ClipWatcher, which I start automatically together with XY
CustomEventActions|OtherEvents|Startup
Code: Select all
run "<xyscripts>\Clipwatch\ClipWatcher.ahk" <hwnd>, , 0;
and shut down again automatically as well.
CustomEventActions|OtherEvents|Exit
Code: Select all
$hwndFile = "<xyscripts>\Clipwatch\watcher_hwnd.txt";
if (exists($hwndFile) == 1) {
$watcherHwnd = readfile($hwndFile);
copydata $watcherHwnd, "SHUTDOWN", 0;
}
Clips are saved to a folder defined via the ini file.
Ctrl+E on a clip opens it in an editor (via a user-defined command), which also handles saving when you edit it.
User|ManageCommands|RunScript
Code: Select all
$settingsFile = "<xyscripts>\Clipwatch\settings.ini";
$editor = getkey("EditorPath", "Settings", $settingsFile);
if (!$editor || !exists($editor)) {
$editor = "notepad.exe";
}
run quote($editor) . " " . quote(<curitem>), , 0;
Enter on a clip brings it back onto the clipboard
Code: Select all
C:\Xyplorer\Data\Scripts\Clipwatch\*.txt>::load "<xyscripts>\Clipwatch\clip_to_clipboard";
The clips are saved with the creation date as their filename and are automatically deleted the following day... if you rename a clip, it is retained for later use.
Even though I had some help from AI in putting my ideas into practice… I think this version offers better value than Windows’ own version… as I can use XY’s own features here, such as tags and labels.