paste_as_link.py

# Assign to a shortcut, for example:
# { "keys": ["ctrl+shift+a"], "command": "paste_as_link" },
# If you have a text selected and a link in the clipboard, this will make a HTML or Markdown link out of it.

import sublime
import sublime_plugin
import re

class PasteAsLinkCommand(sublime_plugin.TextCommand):
	def run(self, edit):
		clipboard_text = sublime.get_clipboard()
		if not self.is_valid_url(clipboard_text):
			sublime.status_message("The clipboard does not contain a valid URL.")
			return

		if self.view.match_selector(0, "text.html.basic"):
			for region in self.view.sel():
				if not region.empty():
					selected_text = self.view.substr(region)
					self.view.insert(edit, region.end(), '</a>')
					self.view.insert(edit, region.begin(), '">')
					self.view.insert(edit, region.begin(), clipboard_text)
					self.view.insert(edit, region.begin(), '<a href="')
		elif self.view.match_selector(0, "text.html.markdown"):
			for region in self.view.sel():
				if not region.empty():
					selected_text = self.view.substr(region)
					self.view.insert(edit, region.end(), ')')
					self.view.insert(edit, region.end(), clipboard_text)
					self.view.insert(edit, region.end(), '](')
					self.view.insert(edit, region.begin(), '[')


	def is_valid_url(self, text):
		# A simple URL validation regex pattern
		url_pattern = re.compile(r'^(https?|ftp)://[^\s/$.?#].[^\s]*$')
		return bool(re.match(url_pattern, text))