What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

wl-clipboard is a pair of command-line tools for moving data to and from the Wayland clipboard: use wl-copy to copy and wl-paste to retrieve. They work in shell pipelines and support MIME-typed data, not just text. They do not provide clipboard history; for that, you need a separate clipboard manager.

What wl-clipboard does

The upstream project describes wl-copy and wl-paste as command-line copy/paste utilities for Wayland. wl-copy places command-line arguments or data from standard input on the clipboard; wl-paste writes clipboard data to standard output. That makes them useful in scripts and ordinary shell pipelines. The tools can handle arbitrary MIME types, though they are optimized for plain text and other textual formats. See the project README and the Debian experimental manual.

Copy text, command output, or file data

Copy a text string

Pass text as an argument:

wl-copy 'Hello world!'

Copy output from a command

Pipe standard output into wl-copy. For example, copy the current directory listing:

ls -la | wl-copy

Copy a file’s bytes

Redirect the file into standard input when you want to copy its contents rather than its filename:

Free tools Windows power users keep installed

One-click scans. No signup required.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
Amazon Basics Wired QWERTY Keyboard, Works with Windows, Plug and Play, Easy to Use with Media Control, Full-Sized, Black
  • KEYBOARD: The keyboard works for Windows with hot keys that enable easy access to Media, My Computer, Mute, Volume up/down, and Calculator
  • EASY SETUP: Experience simple installation with the USB wired connection
  • VERSATILE COMPATIBILITY: This keyboard is designed to work with multiple Windows versions, including Vista, 7, 8, 10 offering broad compatibility across devices.
  • SLEEK DESIGN: The elegant black color of the wired keyboard complements your tech and decor, adding a stylish and cohesive look to any setup without sacrificing function.
  • FULL-SIZED CONVENIENCE: The standard QWERTY layout of this keyboard set offers a familiar typing experience, ideal for both professional tasks and personal use.
wl-copy < image.png

For non-text data, MIME type selection matters. wl-clipboard can infer a type when its optional MIME support is available, but inference may be unsuitable or ambiguous. Set the type explicitly with --type when needed, using the appropriate MIME type for the data:

wl-copy --type image/png < image.png

Paste clipboard data into a command or file

wl-paste writes clipboard data to standard output, so you can direct it to a file or pass it to another program:

Rank #2
Sale
X9 Large Print Backlit Computer Keyboard - Easy to See Big Letters - Lighted USB Wired Keyboard with 7-Colors Backlight LED, Full Size Oversized Light Up Keyboard for Windows, PC, Laptop, Desktop
  • SEE WITH EASE, TYPE WITH CONFIDENCE – Featuring large, bold print, this large font key board makes every character easy to see. A great solution for seniors, students, and visually impaired users who want a more comfortable computer keyboard experience.
  • SEE KEYS CLEARLY IN ANY LIGHT – Work day or night with a lighted keyboard for PC that includes 7 colors and 4 brightness levels. This backlit keyboard design ensures the keyboard light up keys stay visible in dim rooms, offices, or late-night study sessions.
  • BOOST YOUR PRODUCTIVITY – The full-size 107-key layout includes a number pad and 12 shortcut keys, making this keyboard wired perfect for faster navigation, smoother workflow, and more efficient typing on any project.
  • PLUG AND PLAY RELIABILITY – A simple USB keyboard connection delivers instant setup for PC, Chromebook, or as a keyboard for laptop. No software required, just connect this wired keyboard and start typing right away.
  • DURABLE AND DEPENDABLE DESIGN – Built to handle daily use, this desktop keyboard is a long-lasting solution for home, office, or shared workspaces. A reliable keyboard designed for comfort and ease of use.
wl-paste > clipboard.txt
wl-paste | less

By default, the tool may append a newline when outputting text. Use --no-newline when you need the clipboard bytes without that added newline, such as when capturing a value where an extra line break would change the result:

wl-paste --no-newline > clipboard.txt

Inspect formats and choose a MIME type

A clipboard selection can offer more than one representation. List the formats currently available with:

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Rank #3
E-SDS USB Wired Industrial Machine Keyboard with Touchpad & Built-in Hub
  • Industrial Wired Keyboard: Working life at least for 2 million times, and meet many of the industrial environment requirements
  • Integrated touchpad mouse: Supports essential gestures such as scrolling, tap to click, and dedicated left and right click buttons
  • Products designated industrial machinery, Which key body slide up and down with ease, effectively reducing the noise due to key posts and key-based friction generated
  • Plug and Play. Simply plug the keyboard into a PS/2 port and you will be up and running. No drivers required
  • Compact Keyboard Material: ABS. Dimension: L: 260 mm, W: 210mm H: 14.5 mm(Allowance: + / - 0.5)
wl-paste --list-types

If the consumer needs one particular representation, request it with --type:

wl-paste --type text/plain

Use a type shown by --list-types where possible. If a desired type is absent, the application that placed the data on the clipboard may not have offered that representation; changing the requested type cannot create data the source did not provide. The manual documents both options and MIME-aware operation.

Rank #4
Perixx PERIBOARD-409H Wired USB Mini Keyboard with 2 USB Hubs, Black, US English Layout
  • COMPACT DESIGN - Mini keyboard design without number pad area; Design that save space on your desk
  • BUILT-IN USB HUBS - 2 built-in extra USB ports on the side of the keyboard; Use them to connect extra input devices, such as connecting with your mouse, keypad and USB flash drive; Users have more flexibility at workspace
  • SOLID AND POWERFUL - Long lasting key caps that are built with high quality ABS material, are printed with durable UV coating; The responsive membrane keys offer 10.000.000 times switch life cycle
  • PLUG AND PLAY - Easy setup, require no extra driver or software to work; Simply plug it into a USB 2.0 port and start typing with 5'9 long cable, it is long enough for you to connect with your computer, whether it is on or under your desk
  • SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS - Windows 7, 8, 10. Wired USB connection. Package includes: 1 PERIBOARD-409H UK, 1 instruction manual

Options for selection and clipboard behavior

Common options documented by the Debian manual include:

  • --primary selects the primary selection instead of the regular clipboard, where that protocol feature is supported.
  • wl-copy --trim-newline removes a trailing newline from copied text.
  • wl-copy --clear clears the clipboard selection.
  • wl-copy --foreground keeps the process in the foreground rather than forking into the background.
  • wl-copy --paste-once is intended to stop serving the selection after one paste. A clipboard manager may preserve the data, and compatibility issues are documented for some XWayland situations and managers that eagerly preserve clipboard contents. Do not assume it will behave identically with every client.
  • wl-paste --watch COMMAND runs a command when clipboard contents change, if the required protocol support is available.
  • wl-paste --seat NAME targets a named Wayland seat where supported.

Exact availability depends on the installed build and compositor. Check the manual page for the package version you have, particularly before relying on optional behaviors.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Best Value
j5create Wormhole Switch USB Transfer Adapter: Seamless Sharing
  • 【Effortless File Sharing Across Devices】 Instantly transfer files between devices—Windows to Windows, Mac to Mac, or even Mac to Windows. The JUC400 Wormhole Switch makes file sharing as simple as drag-and-drop or copy-and-paste, no complicated setup needed.
  • 【Seamless Keyboard & Mouse Sharing】 Control two devices with a single keyboard and mouse. Switch effortlessly between screens to increase productivity and streamline your workflow with the Wormhole’s built-in KM functionality.
  • 【Cross-Platform Clipboard Sharing】 Copy text, images, and other data across devices with ease. No more tedious file transfers—simply use your clipboard to move content between computers as if they were one.
  • 【No Complicated Setup】 Just connect the JUC400 Wormhole cable to both devices, activate the built-in Wormhole app, and start sharing files with ease—ideal for busy professionals.
  • 【Boost Productivity in a Multi-Device Setup】 Designed for professionals working with multiple devices, the JUC400 Wormhole Switch eliminates barriers between platforms, making it easy to edit, transfer, and manage files seamlessly across systems.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Install wl-clipboard and understand its dependencies

The project says packages are likely available through Linux and BSD distributions; package names and versions vary, so check your distribution’s package index. Homebrew also provides a macOS package route. For a source build, the upstream guide describes a Meson build and lists wayland-client as mandatory. wayland-scanner and wayland-protocols are optional build dependencies that enable additional protocol features. For MIME type inference, optional runtime support includes xdg-mime (commonly provided by xdg-utils) and a MIME database such as /etc/mime.types. See the upstream README, build instructions, and Homebrew formula.

Troubleshoot compositor and protocol compatibility

Wayland clipboard access depends on protocols implemented by the compositor and enabled in the installed build. The Debian experimental manual says that if the compositor does not implement the wlroots data-control protocol, wl-clipboard may use a briefly displayed, tiny transparent surface to access the clipboard. The upstream build guide also warns that many compositors have dropped wl_shell support; according to that guide, wl-clipboard will not work under those compositors unless built with both wayland-scanner and wayland-protocols. Optional protocol support also affects features such as primary selection and watch mode. These are version- and compositor-dependent caveats, not universal failures.

  1. Check that the Wayland session is active and that wl-copy and wl-paste are installed from the expected package.
  2. Run wl-paste --list-types to see which representations the current selection exposes.
  3. If a representation is missing or the wrong type is selected, specify the needed MIME type with --type and verify it is actually offered.
  4. If clipboard access or an optional feature fails, check the package version, build options, compositor protocol support, and whether the affected application is running through XWayland. Consult the manual and upstream build guide for the version in use.

Does wl-clipboard keep clipboard history?

No. It provides command-line access to clipboard contents, not a persistent history interface. If you need to browse or restore previous clipboard entries, use a separate clipboard manager compatible with your desktop environment. The project also lists wl-clipboard-x11, a wrapper related to X11 clipboard tools, and wl-clipboard-rs, a Rust crate reimplementation; neither changes the distinction between clipboard access and history management.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.