Copy-Paste-noVNC-on-Proxmox

A simple script that allows you to paste clipboard text from your host machine into a Proxmox VM through the web-based noVNC console by middle-clicking anywhere inside the VM display window.

---

Features

• Paste from host clipboard into VM
• Triggered by middle mouse button click
• Works in Proxmox's built-in noVNC web console
• Can be used manually or installed as a persistent userscript

---

What Problem Does This Solve?

Typing long commands, scripts, passwords, or config files into a VM through a slow web console is a pain. This script simulates keystrokes into the VM as if you typed them, saving time and effort.

This script only pastes from host to VM. It does not support copying from VM to host.

---

How It Works

• Waits for the noVNC <canvas> to load in the web GUI
• Listens for middle-clicks inside the VM display
• On click, reads your system clipboard (with permission)
• Simulates each character via keystrokes into the VM

---

Important Caveats

This is a client-side hack — a clever workaround that simulates typing by injecting keypress events into the noVNC canvas. It’s not officially supported by Proxmox or noVNC.

• It does not interact with the VM's internal clipboard.
• It simply "types" the text into the VM, one keystroke at a time — just like a human would.
• Use it for quick tasks or convenience — not mission-critical workflows.

If you're looking for something officially supported or bulletproof, this isn't it.
But for fast-and-dirty pasting, it works great.

---

Setup Instructions

Step 1: Install a Userscript Manager (Optional but Recommended)

To make the script persistent:

Browser	Extension
Chrome/Brave	Tampermonkey
Firefox	Violentmonkey
Safari (Mac)	Userscripts App

Step 2: Add the Script

You have two options:

Option A: Run Manually (Temporary)

1. Open your VM's noVNC console
2. Open DevTools Console (F12 or Cmd+Opt+I)
3. Paste the contents of paste-script.user.js into the console
4. Hit Enter — it will wait for middle-click

Option B: Install as Userscript (Persistent)

1. Open Tampermonkey or other userscript manager
2. Create a new script
3. Paste in the contents of paste-script.user.js
4. Save — the script will auto-run on matching noVNC pages

---

Using the Script

1. Copy text to your clipboard on the host machine (e.g., a command)
2. Go to the VM's noVNC browser tab
3. Click inside the VM to focus it
4. Middle-click (scroll wheel click) to paste

The text will be typed into the VM window, one character at a time.

---

Limitations

• Only pastes from host to VM, not the other way
• Requires browser permission to read clipboard
• Works best in Chrome-based browsers
• Some special characters may not type correctly depending on keyboard layout

---

Security & Permissions

• The script reads your clipboard only on middle-click
• Nothing is sent externally
• Runs entirely within your browser
• Only affects Proxmox noVNC pages

---

Advanced: Customize the Trigger

Don’t like middle-click? You can modify the script to use keyboard shortcuts instead. Here’s how to change it to trigger on Cmd + Shift + V (on Mac) or Ctrl + Shift + V (on Windows/Linux):

1. Replace the canvas.addEventListener("mousedown", handleMouseDown); line with:

document.addEventListener("keydown", function (e) {
  const isMac = navigator.platform.toUpperCase().indexOf("MAC") >= 0;
  const cmdOrCtrl = isMac ? e.metaKey : e.ctrlKey;

  if (cmdOrCtrl && e.shiftKey && e.key === "v") {
    e.preventDefault();
    pasteClipboardContent();
  }
});

---

Feedback

Open an issue or fork the repo to improve or customize it further.

---

Related Files

• paste-script.user.js: The actual JavaScript userscript used to enable paste functionality.