Clipboard history is a useful feature that allows users to access previously copied items, enhancing productivity by saving time and effort. On macOS, there is no built-in clipboard history manager like in some other operating systems. However, users can leverage third-party applications to achieve similar functionality. This article will guide you through setting up and using a clipboard history manager on macOS, ensuring you can efficiently manage and retrieve your copied items.

Examples:

1. Using Paste App for Clipboard History:

   Paste is a popular clipboard manager for macOS that allows you to keep track of everything you copy and paste. Here’s how to set it up:

   • Step 1: Download and install Paste from the Mac App Store or from Paste's official website.
   • Step 2: Once installed, open the Paste application.
   • Step 3: Follow the on-screen instructions to grant Paste the necessary permissions to access your clipboard.
   • Step 4: Paste will now start recording your clipboard history. You can access it by clicking on the Paste icon in the menu bar or using the keyboard shortcut (usually Command + Shift + V).

   Sample Usage:

   • Copy multiple items (text, images, etc.) using Command + C.
   • Open Paste using the keyboard shortcut or menu bar icon.
   • Browse through your clipboard history and select the item you want to paste.

2. Using Alfred with Clipboard History:

   Alfred is another powerful productivity tool for macOS that includes a clipboard history feature. Here’s how to set it up:

   • Step 1: Download and install Alfred from Alfred's official website.
   • Step 2: Open Alfred Preferences and navigate to the "Features" section.
   • Step 3: Enable the "Clipboard History" feature.
   • Step 4: Customize the clipboard history settings as per your preference (e.g., duration to keep history, types of items to remember).
   • Step 5: Use the keyboard shortcut (usually Command + Option + C) to access your clipboard history.

   Sample Usage:

   • Copy several items using Command + C.
   • Invoke Alfred's clipboard history using the keyboard shortcut.
   • Browse and select the item you want to paste.

3. Using Built-in Terminal Commands (for advanced users):

   For users comfortable with the Terminal, you can use pbpaste and pbcopy commands to manually manage clipboard content.

   • Step 1: Open Terminal.
   • Step 2: Use pbcopy to copy text to the clipboard:

     echo "Hello, World!" | pbcopy

   • Step 3: Use pbpaste to paste the clipboard content:

     pbpaste

   Sample Usage:

   • Copy text to clipboard:

     echo "Sample text" | pbcopy

   • Retrieve and display clipboard content:

     pbpaste