How can I copy the output of a command directly into my clipboard?

Question

How can I pipe the output of a command into my clipboard and paste it back when using a terminal? For instance: cat file | clipboard

Answer 1

If you are running a distro that has X installed then this will probably work:

cat file | xclip -selection c

If not you might need to install xclip using your package manager:

apt-get install xclip

Answer 2

Depends on the operating system. On a Mac, you can say

$ cat stuff | pbcopy

On linux, use

$ cat stuff | xclip

(you make need to install xclip, see http://ask.xmodulo.com/copy-file-content-clipboard-linux-desktop.html)

On Windows, the command is clip.exe

C:\> type stuff | clip