The clipboard history manager that macOS should have built-in
Windows users have Win + V for clipboard history since 2018. Mac users? Nothing built-in. ClipFlow fixes that for Mac.
💡 Note: This app is primarily for macOS users. Windows users already have
Win + Vbuilt-in!
| Popup UI | Menu Bar |
|---|---|
- Download
ClipFlow-1.0.0.dmgfrom Releases - Open the DMG and drag
ClipFlow.appto Applications - Open ClipFlow and grant Accessibility permissions
brew tap praneeth552/clipflow
brew install --cask clipflowgit clone https://github.com/praneeth552/clipflow.git
cd clipflow/ClipFlowApp
./build.shSince ClipFlow is not notarized (requires $99/year Apple Developer account), macOS will show a warning:
"ClipFlow can't be opened because it is from an unidentified developer"
To bypass this (one-time only):
- Right-click on ClipFlow.app → Open
- Click Open in the dialog
Or via System Settings:
- Open System Settings → Privacy & Security
- Scroll down and click Open Anyway next to ClipFlow
ClipFlow needs Accessibility access for global hotkeys:
- System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility
- Click + and add
ClipFlow.app - Toggle ON
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
Cmd + Shift + V |
Open clipboard history |
↑ |
Go to older item (like terminal) |
↓ |
Go to newer item |
Enter |
Paste selected item |
Esc |
Cancel |
Release Cmd |
Paste selected item |
- 📋 Clipboard History - Saves last 50 copies (text + images)
- ⌨️ Terminal-style Navigation - Use ↑↓ like shell history
- 🖼️ Image Previews - See thumbnails in popup
- 🎯 Cursor-following - Popup appears at your mouse
- 🔄 Dynamic Resize - Smooth animations
- 🖥️ Multi-Monitor - Works across displays
- 🚫 Non-focusable - Doesn't interrupt typing
- macOS 12+
- Xcode Command Line Tools (
xcode-select --install)
cd ClipFlowApp
# Quick compile (development)
swiftc -o ClipFlow ClipFlowApp.swift -framework AppKit -framework Carbon
# Full build with .app bundle and DMG
./build.shbuild/
├── ClipFlow.app # Application bundle
└── ClipFlow-1.0.0.dmg # Installer for distribution
ClipFlow is 100% transparent and trustworthy:
| Privacy Feature | Status |
|---|---|
| Open Source | ✅ All code visible on GitHub |
| Network Access | ✅ Zero internet connections, ever |
| Analytics | ✅ No tracking, no telemetry |
| Data Storage | ✅ Local only - never leaves your Mac |
| Persistence | ✅ History clears when app quits |
Apple's notarization requires a $99/year Developer account. ClipFlow is free and open source, so we don't pay this fee.
The warning does NOT mean the app is dangerous. You can:
- 📖 Verify the code yourself - it's all on GitHub
- 🔨 Build from source if you prefer:
./build.sh - ✅ Right-click → Open to bypass the warning (one-time)
💡 Many popular open source Mac apps (like Rectangle, MonitorControl, etc.) also show this warning. It's normal for indie/open source software!
- Persistent history (survives restarts)
- Configurable max history size
- Keyboard shortcut customization
- Search through history
- Pin favorite items
MIT License - Use, modify, and distribute freely!
Made with ❤️ for Mac users who deserve proper clipboard history