Lecture Notes: Copy and Paste in Terminal

Overview

• Presenter: Chuck
• Topic: Using clipboard commands in terminal
• Platform: Applicable for Mac, Linux, and Windows (using WSL)
• Tools Explored: pbcopy, pbpaste

Key Concepts

Clipboard Commands

• Mac Users:
  • Commands pbcopy and pbpaste are available by default.
  • Can be used to copy content directly to clipboard and paste anywhere.
• Linux/Windows (WSL) Users:
  • By default, pbcopy and pbpaste do not exist.
  • Need to install a tool (Excel CLI tool) to replicate this functionality.

Steps for Linux/Windows Users

Installing Excel

1. Open Terminal
   • For Linux: Launch Terminal
   • For Windows: Launch WSL Terminal
2. Install Excel:
   • Command: sudo apt install xsel

Using Excel for Clipboard

• Copy to Clipboard:
  • Example: uname -r | xsel --input --clipboard
• Paste from Clipboard:
  • Example: xsel --output --clipboard

Creating Aliases

• Purpose: Simplify commands
• Steps to Create Aliases:
  1. Open Bash RC file: nano ~/.bashrc
  2. Add aliases:
     • alias pbcopy='xsel --input --clipboard'
     • alias pbpaste='xsel --output --clipboard'
  3. Save and exit: Ctrl + X, Y, Enter
  4. Refresh terminal: source ~/.bashrc
• Test Aliases:
  • Copy: echo "Hello" | pbcopy
  • Paste: pbpaste

Remote Server Clipboard Use

Preconditions

• Scenarios Supported:
  • Linux server logging into another Linux server
  • WSL logging into a Linux server
• Scenarios Not Supported:
  • Windows logging into a Linux server

Setup for Remote Server

1. Install Excel on Remote Server:
   • Command: sudo apt install xsel
2. Enable X11 Forwarding:
   • Check setting: cat /etc/ssh/sshd_config | grep X11
   • Ensure X11Forwarding is set to yes
3. Setup Aliases on Remote:
   • Same as local setup, edit ~/.bashrc on remote server

Connecting to Remote with X11 Forwarding

• Command: ssh -X user@remote-server

Other Notes

• Five Minute Fridays: Weekly short tutorials
• Engagement: Encouragement to like, comment, subscribe
• Community: Join Network Chuck Academy for more learning opportunities

Personal Reflections

• Daily Use: Presenter uses these commands for daily tasks
• Feedback: Encourages users to share tips and suggestions

Conclusion

• Lecture Summary: Practical guide to using clipboard commands in terminal across different platforms.
• Call to Action: Join Network Chuck Academy for more insights.