# Clip

> Use to copy terminal output, files, or stdin to the clipboard via OSC 52 across macOS, Linux, Windows, and SSH/tmux.

- Skill: `anntnzrb/clip` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add anntnzrb/clip`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/anntnzrb/clip/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- License: AGPL-3.0-or-later
- Author: anntnzrb (https://skillmd.com/u/anntnzrb)
- Updated: 2026-09-10
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/anntnzrb/clip

---


# OSC 52 clipboard copier

Copy a file or stdin to the host clipboard using the OSC 52 escape sequence. Works from terminals, SSH sessions, tmux, and Windows consoles without a native clipboard API.

## When to use

- The user asks to copy output, a file, or a snippet to the clipboard.
- The agent is in a terminal, SSH session, or tmux pane and cannot call a GUI clipboard manager.
- The destination is the local terminal's host clipboard.

## Public entrypoint

```text
python3 <skill-dir>/scripts/cli.py [FILE]
```

- `FILE`: optional path to copy. Reads from stdin if omitted.
- Emits the OSC 52 sequence to the active terminal output.

## Common calls

```text
# copy a file
python3 <skill-dir>/scripts/cli.py ./key.pem

# copy command output
some-command | python3 <skill-dir>/scripts/cli.py

# copy stdin (type or paste, then Ctrl-D)
python3 <skill-dir>/scripts/cli.py
```

## Platform notes

- **macOS / Linux**: writes to `SSH_TTY` or `/dev/tty` first, then falls back to `stdout`.
- **Windows**: opens `CONOUT$`, then falls back to `stdout`.
- **tmux**: detects `TMUX` and wraps the sequence in tmux DCS passthrough unless the output goes directly to the outer SSH TTY.
- The terminal must support OSC 52 for the copy to reach the host clipboard.

## Exit codes

- `0`: success
- `1`: write or runtime error
- `2`: usage or file error

## Empty input

Empty input is a no-op. The script does not emit an empty OSC 52 sequence, so it never clears the host clipboard.