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PastePaw
What it is
PastePaw is a macOS clipboard history app with a local MCP server for agents that search, read, and write clips. Search checks the first 300 characters of each clip and any attached note. Eighteen clip tools cover formats and actions including JSON, Base64, URL, YAML, XML, Markdown, HTML, JWT, QR, and OCR. The macOS interface offers horizontal or vertical layouts, 20 themes, 29 looks, and light or dark modes. History remains in a local SQLite database and is not uploaded, though anonymous usage statistics are enabled by default and can be disabled. Secure Collections encrypt saved clips and unlock with Touch ID or a Mac password; the main history database is not encrypted. AI actions require your own API key and send selected content to the chosen provider when triggered. macOS 14 or later is required. A separate free Windows app requires Windows 10 version 1709 or later and omits MCP, themes, and encrypted collections.
For and against
For
- Local clipboard database is not uploaded
- Eighteen clip tools included
- Secure Collections use encryption
- Supports Intel and Apple Silicon Macs
- Free macOS plan available
Against
- Main history database is not encrypted
- Anonymous usage statistics enabled by default
- macOS requires version 14 or later
- Windows app lacks several macOS features
The verdict
PastePaw combines clipboard search, conversion tools, and optional MCP or AI connections. Review its encryption boundaries and platform differences before storing sensitive clips.
Who it suits
PastePaw suits Mac users who want searchable clipboard history and agent connections. Windows users get a separate free app with fewer features.
Plans and prices
Free (macOS)
Unlimited history · Search · All 18 clip tools · No account
Read 11 Oct 2026 · pastepaw.com
Pro (monthly)
Smart collections · Secure collections · Local MCP server · AI actions
Read 11 Oct 2026 · pastepaw.com
Pro (yearly)
Pro features · Use on every Mac signed in to the same Apple Account
Read 11 Oct 2026 · pastepaw.com
Pro (lifetime)
Pro features · Use on every Mac signed in to the same Apple Account
Read 11 Oct 2026 · pastepaw.com
On the record
- AI data handling
- When a user explicitly triggers an AI feature, the selected clipboard content is sent to their chosen AI provider for processing.pastepaw.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- AI integrations
- The maker lists Claude Code, the ChatGPT desktop app, Gemini CLI, and Codex CLI as MCP clients, and AI actions require the user's own API key.pastepaw.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Clip tools
- It offers 18 clip tools, including JSON, Base64, URL, YAML, XML, Markdown, HTML, JWT, QR, and OCR tools.pastepaw.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Company details
- The site footer says © 2024–2026 PastePaw and “Made for macOS”; it does not state a headquarters or founding date.pastepaw.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Layouts and themes
- The macOS app has horizontal and vertical layouts, 20 themes, and 29 looks, with light and dark modes.pastepaw.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- macOS requirements
- The macOS app requires macOS 14 or later and runs natively on Intel and Apple Silicon Macs.pastepaw.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- Clipboard history is stored in a local SQLite database and is not uploaded; anonymous usage statistics are sent by default and can be turned off in Settings.pastepaw.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- PastePaw is a native macOS clipboard history app with a local MCP server that lets agents search, read, and write clipboard clips.pastepaw.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Search
- Search matches the first 300 characters of each clip and any note added to it.pastepaw.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Security
- Secure collections are encrypted at rest, unlock with Touch ID or the Mac password, and are not accessible to MCP clients.pastepaw.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Security limitation
- The support page says the main history database is not encrypted, and recommends Secure Collections for sensitive clips.pastepaw.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Sensitive apps
- Users can exclude apps from clipboard monitoring, and content copied from an ignored app is not recorded.pastepaw.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maker says questions, bugs, and ideas are handled by the person who builds PastePaw, with email support and bug reports.pastepaw.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Windows version
- The separate Windows app is free and open source, requires Windows 10 version 1709 or later, and does not include the macOS app's MCP server, themes, or encrypted collections.pastepaw.com · read 11 Oct 2026
