CopyQ
CopyQ is a clipboard manager for macOS that saves clipboard history, lets you search past items, and automates clipboard workflows.
What is CopyQ?
CopyQ is a native clipboard manager for desktop systems that helps you keep, search, edit, and reuse clipboard history. On macOS, it can monitor the system clipboard, store copied text, images, HTML, and other formats, and let you quickly paste saved items back into apps. It is useful for people who repeatedly copy code snippets, links, notes, commands, and other frequently reused content during work. CopyQ also supports tabs for organizing saved clips, customizable shortcuts, and a command and scripting system for automating clipboard-related tasks. In addition to the main window, it can be accessed from the menu bar area for faster item selection and browsing. CopyQ is published by Hluk and is aimed at users who want more control over clipboard management than the standard macOS clipboard provides.
Key features
- Save clipboard history for text, images, HTML, and other copied content
- Search and filter previous clipboard items quickly
- Organize saved clips into separate tabs
- Edit, sort, move, and remove saved clipboard entries
- Paste saved items back into other apps from the interface or shortcuts
- Use customizable keyboard shortcuts for faster clipboard actions
- Automate clipboard tasks with commands and scripting
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Safety overview
Status: Mostly safe
CopyQ is legitimate clipboard utility software, but its purpose involves continuously monitoring what you copy. That means sensitive information such as passwords, private messages, access tokens, or personal data can be stored in clipboard history if you copy them. This behavior is normal for a clipboard manager, but you should avoid copying highly sensitive data into persistent history unless you have configured the app to exclude it or clear entries regularly.
Recommendation: Keep CopyQ if you actively use clipboard history, saved snippets, or clipboard automation in your workflow. If you installed it only for testing and do not want copied content retained, remove it and delete its support files so old clipboard history is not left behind.
Common paths
/Applications/CopyQ.app~/Library/Application Support/CopyQ~/Library/Preferences/io.github.hluk.CopyQ.plist
Cache paths
~/Library/Caches/io.github.hluk.CopyQ
Support paths
~/Library/Application Support/CopyQ
Preference paths
~/Library/Preferences/io.github.hluk.CopyQ.plist
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