XGhostClip

X11-style primary selection for macOS. Select text anywhere, middle-click to paste. Independent of the system clipboard.

XGhostClip replicates X11's primary selection mechanism on macOS using Core Graphics event monitoring and Accessibility APIs. Text selection automatically populates a separate pasteboard, accessible via middle-click anywhere in the system.

Installation

Binary: Download from Releases, move to Applications, launch.

Source:

git clone git@github.com:afasulo/XGhostClip.git
cd XGhostClip && open PrimaryPaste.xcodeproj

Requires macOS 15.6+. Accessibility permissions granted automatically on first run.

Compatibility

Works with native macOS applications that implement standard Accessibility APIs: TextEdit, Xcode, Terminal, most editors and IDEs.

Limitation: Cross-platform applications (Chrome, Electron apps) use custom UI frameworks that bypass kAXSelectedTextAttribute, breaking text selection detection.

Implementation

• Event Tap: CGEvent.tapCreate monitors mouse clicks globally
• Text Access: AXUIElement APIs read/write selected text directly
• Storage: Private NSPasteboard maintains selection state
• Architecture: Menu bar daemon with minimal resource footprint

License

MIT License. See LICENSE.

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Built by Adam Fasulo for developers missing X11 primary selection on macOS.