How many clips does ClipHistory save?

ClipHistory saves up to 150 unpinned clips plus unlimited pinned clips, all stored 100% locally on your Mac with no cloud sync or account required.

What exactly are custom boards and how do I use them?

Custom boards let you organize clips by project, type, or workflow (e.g., "Design," "Code," "Client Work"). Pin clips to the relevant board using ⌘⇧V, and instantly access context-specific content without scrolling through your full history.

Do I need a subscription or can I use AI transforms for free?

ClipHistory costs $19.99 once, lifetime—no recurring subscription ever. AI transforms use your own API key (Anthropic, OpenAI, DeepSeek, Google, or custom), so you bring your own key and control costs directly with the provider.

Is my clipboard data safe and private?

Yes. ClipHistory is 100% local with no cloud storage, no account login, and no third-party access. Your clipboard history stays on your Mac at all times, making it ideal for handling sensitive information, passwords, and confidential work.

Best Clipboard Manager with Custom Boards for Mac: ClipHistory Setup Guide

Your Mac's clipboard is powerful—but only if you can access what you've copied. By default, macOS clipboard history disappears the moment you copy something new. If you juggle multiple projects, design files, code snippets, and URLs daily, you need a clipboard manager with custom boards to stay organized and productive.

This guide walks you through installing and mastering ClipHistory, a lightweight macOS clipboard manager that keeps your copied content organized, searchable, and always one keystroke away.

Why You Need a Clipboard Manager with Custom Boards

Without a clipboard manager, your workflow suffers. You copy a URL, then paste code, then copy an email address—and suddenly you can't go back to that URL. Retyping, re-finding, re-copying wastes minutes every day.

A clipboard manager with custom boards solves this by:

Saving every clip you copy (ClipHistory stores 150 unpinned clips plus unlimited pinned ones)
Organizing by project or type using custom boards, so marketing clips stay separate from code
Instant search and recall with a single keystroke
Auto-detecting content type (URLs, emails, code, colors, phone numbers, images) so you know what you're pasting

For Mac users who work across design, development, content, or business roles, custom boards transform clipboard management from a headache into a superpower.

Installing ClipHistory on macOS

Getting started takes just three minutes:

Download ClipHistory from the official site
Drag the app into your Applications folder
Launch and grant clipboard access when prompted

ClipHistory is 100% local—no cloud account, no signup, no waiting. Your clipboard data never leaves your Mac. The app is universal (Intel and Apple Silicon), fully signed and notarized by Apple, so installation is safe and straightforward.

Once installed, press ⌘⇧V to open the clipboard history panel. That's it. Your clipboard is now being saved automatically.

Setting Up Custom Boards

Custom boards are where ClipHistory shines. Instead of one long list of everything you've ever copied, you organize clips into labeled boards for different contexts.

Create Your First Board

Open ClipHistory (⌘⇧V)
Click the "+" icon to add a new custom board
Name it (e.g., "Design Assets," "Client Emails," "Code Snippets")
Pin clips to the board by dragging or using the context menu

Board Examples

Design: Color codes, font names, brand guidelines
Development: API keys, function templates, terminal commands
Content: Client briefs, brand voice guidelines, competitor URLs
HR: Job descriptions, offer letter templates, policy links

Each board acts like a mini-clipboard tailored to a workflow. Switch between boards instantly, and your most-used clips are always visible.

Powerful Features Built In

Beyond custom boards, ClipHistory includes tools that save real time:

Auto-Type Detection

When you copy something, ClipHistory recognizes what it is: URL, email, phone number, color code, image, or plain text. No manual tagging needed.

AI Transforms (Bring Your Own Key)

Need to summarize a long clip? Translate it? Clean up messy code? ClipHistory integrates with 5 AI providers: Anthropic, OpenAI, DeepSeek, Google, or your own custom endpoint. You control and pay for your own API key—no subscription, no vendor lock-in.

Paste Stack

Build multi-clip pastes without switching windows. Copy clip A, then clip B, then trigger "paste all" to insert them in sequence.

Search

Type keywords to filter your 150+ clips instantly. Combined with custom boards, finding the right clip takes under a second.

100% Local, No Cloud, No Subscription

Unlike competitors that store your clipboard in the cloud, ClipHistory runs entirely on your Mac. Your copied passwords, private notes, and confidential project details never leave your device. No server, no third-party access, no privacy worries.

There's also no recurring subscription. You pay $19.99 once for a lifetime license. One payment, forever use.

How ClipHistory Compares

Feature	ClipHistory	Paste	Maccy	Alfred
Custom Boards	✓	✗	✗	✗
AI Transforms	✓ (BYOK)	✓ (paid tier)	✗	✓ (paid)
Local Storage	✓	✗	✓	✓
Lifetime License	✓	✗ (subscription)	✓	✓
Unlimited Pins	✓	✓	✓	✓

Pro Tips for Maximum Productivity

Pin frequently-reused clips (email signatures, code templates) to the top of each board
Name your boards after projects, not general categories—specificity saves search time
Use AI transforms to clean messy data before pasting into final documents
Set ⌘⇧V as your muscle memory—open ClipHistory before copy-pasting mission-critical info

Getting Started Today

Installing a clipboard manager with custom boards isn't just a convenience—it's a productivity multiplier. If you copy and paste more than five times per day, ClipHistory pays for itself in recovered time within weeks.

Get ClipHistory — $19.99 and unlock a clipboard that works as hard as you do.