Clipboard to Path

Save clipboard images to a file and get the path. Zero dependencies, uses native macOS Automator.

Your regular Cmd+C / Cmd+V workflow is unchanged. This tool complements it - only Cmd+Shift+C triggers the save-to-path action.

The Problem

Image paste does not work inside devcontainers on Mac. Also, some CLI tools and terminals don't support pasting images directly - only text.

The Solution

Press Cmd+Shift+C to save clipboard image to /tmp/clipboard-images/ and copy the path. Paste anywhere.

For Docker: mount -v /tmp/clipboard-images:/tmp/clipboard-images:ro and the same path works inside containers.

Demo

Install

curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/bikramkgupta/mac-clipboard-image-to-path/main/install.sh | bash

After install, assign the keyboard shortcut:

1. System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts > Services
2. Find "Save Clipboard Image" under General
3. Assign: Cmd+Shift+C

Usage

Cmd+Shift+4              Screenshot to clipboard (normal macOS)
Cmd+Shift+C              Save image, get path in clipboard
Cmd+V                    Paste path into any tool

Smart Paste Behavior

Some CLI tools are smart enough to detect image paths and display the image automatically:

Tool	What happens when you paste
Claude Code	Displays the image
Codex CLI	Displays the image
Gemini CLI	Pastes the path (reads file)
Any terminal	Pastes the path as text

Docker / DevContainers

The images are saved to /tmp/clipboard-images/ - the same path on both host and container.

Add this to your docker-compose.yml:

volumes:
  - /tmp/clipboard-images:/tmp/clipboard-images:ro

Or with docker run:

docker run -v /tmp/clipboard-images:/tmp/clipboard-images:ro your-image

Now paths like /tmp/clipboard-images/clipboard-20251228-143052.png work both on your Mac and inside containers.

Configuration

Override the default image directory with an environment variable:

export CLIPBOARD_IMAGE_DIR=~/.clipboard-images

Then reinstall to apply the change to the workflow.

How It Works

Component	What it does
Automator Quick Action	Triggers on Cmd+Shift+I from any app
Embedded shell script	Saves clipboard image, shows notification
AppleScript (built-in)	Reads image data from clipboard

No external dependencies. Uses only built-in macOS tools.

Uninstall

curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/bikramkgupta/mac-clipboard-image-to-path/main/uninstall.sh | bash

Or manually:

rm -rf ~/Library/Services/Save\ Clipboard\ Image.workflow

Troubleshooting

"No image in clipboard" notification

• Make sure you have an image copied (Cmd+Shift+4 for screenshot, or Cmd+C on an image)

Shortcut doesn't work

• Check System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts > Services
• Make sure "Save Clipboard Image" is enabled and has Cmd+Shift+C assigned

Path doesn't work in container

• Ensure you mounted the volume: -v /tmp/clipboard-images:/tmp/clipboard-images:ro
• The path must be identical on host and container

License

MIT