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@DeflateAwning
Last active May 5, 2026 04:33
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Guide to setup copyq clipboard manager

Setup copyq

This guide details how to setup copyq on Ubuntu/Debian systems to behave at least as well as Windows+V on Windows.

Setup Instructions

  1. Install with sudo apt update && sudo apt install copyq.
  2. Launch copyq from the start menu or with copyq.
  3. Go File > Settings > Check "Autostart".
  4. Go File > Commands/Global Shortcuts > Add > Show/hide main window > Ok > Click the plus button next to "Global Shortcut" > Press Windows+V (aka Super+V).
  5. On Ubuntu, Linux Mint, etc., use the OS Keyboard Shortcut manager to bind the command copyq show to Windows+V.

Alternatively, you can set autostart by enabling the command copyq --start-server hide on startup.

Step 3: Profit

Use Windows+V to paste clipboard history. From now on, to access your clipboard history, click in the text field where you want to paste, and then use the Windows+V hotkey. Click on the clipboard history item from the list to paste it into the active text field.

Thanks

Please comment any other tips/tricks!

@Kishlay-notabot

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when i click the windows key to setup the shortcut, the whisper app launcher comes up :(
I'm using linux mint xfce

@godafflig

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you need to disable you app launcher in your linux setting, i'm currently on unbuntu but its same issue

@Kishlay-notabot

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Will try, thanks.

@DeflateAwning

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Updated with:

  1. On Ubuntu, Linux Mint, etc., use the OS Keyboard Shortcut manager to bind the command copyq show to Windows+V.

@ramin-n

ramin-n commented May 29, 2025

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The command copyq show open the CopyQ main window. Instead of that use the command copyq menu, it will open the "tray" context menu directly.

@DeflateAwning

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I far prefer the main window, but that's a reasonable point if you like the tray menu.

Examples of things you can do in the main menu that might be tougher in the tray:

  1. Selecting multiple items and pasting them all (each on separate lines)
  2. Deleting paste history with keyboard shortcuts
  3. Activating a historical item for a future paste

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