SideShelf is a system-wide Android side tray overlay that provides fast clipboard access for text and images — accessible from anywhere on the device.
It is designed as a lightweight productivity layer that sits above apps and improves copy–paste workflows.
- Clipboard history for copied text
- Image clipboard support
- Delete individual entries
- Clear all clipboard items
- System-wide side tray overlay (draws over other apps)
- Instant access from any screen
SideShelf runs as a background service using:
SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOWpermission for overlayClipboardManagerfor monitoring clipboard changes- Local storage for persistent clipboard history
- Custom View-based UI (XML + programmatic logic)
The app listens for clipboard updates, stores entries, and renders them inside a right-edge sliding tray interface.
- Kotlin
- Android SDK
- WindowManager API
- ClipboardManager
- XML-based layouts
- Background Service architecture
- System-level utility, not just an in-app feature
- Fast and minimal UI
- Lightweight and low overhead
- Works without requiring internet access
- 🔗 Cross-device clipboard sync (Linux companion)
- 🔎 Search inside clipboard history
- 🧠 Smart categorization (URLs, OTPs, code snippets)
- 📌 Pin frequently used items
SideShelf explores:
- OS-level Android capabilities
- Overlay permissions and system UI layering
- Background services and lifecycle handling
- Practical productivity tooling beyond typical app patterns
Mobile version complete for personal use.
Desktop companion (Bluetooth-based sync) planned.