osc52-clipboard

Configure Neovim and tmux to share clipboard via OSC 52 escape sequences.

4|Updated Jan 15, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/johnnymo87/workstation --skill osc52-clipboard
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: osc52-clipboard
Source: https://github.com/johnnymo87/workstation/tree/main/.claude/skills/osc52-clipboard
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/johnnymo87/workstation --skill osc52-clipboard

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes assets (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

OSC52 clipboard solves the problem of copy/paste across remote SSH sessions by letting applications write directly to the local clipboard via OSC 52 escape sequences.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • OSC52 provider: configure terminal apps to send clipboard data back to the local system.
  • Cross-application support: works with tmux sessions and Neovim to yank and paste seamlessly.
  • Use Case: in a development setup, copy a line in Neovim on the remote devbox and paste it on the local machine without manual transfer.

Quick Start

Follow the steps to enable OSC52 clipboard: adjust tmux and Neovim settings as shown in the SKILL.md and test with a small text yank and paste sequence.

Frequently Asked Questions about osc52-clipboard

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I copy and paste between my local machine and a remote SSH session?

OSC 52 clipboard enables copy/paste across SSH by using escape sequences to write clipboard data back to your local system. Configure your terminal, tmux, and Neovim to support OSC 52, then yanking text in the remote editor automatically copies to your local clipboard.

Can I use OSC 52 clipboard with tmux and Neovim over SSH?

Yes. OSC 52 works with tmux sessions and Neovim when both are configured with OSC 52 support. Enable the osc52 provider in Neovim and set unnamedplus in tmux to route clipboard operations through OSC 52 escape sequences to your local system.

What terminal settings do I need to enable OSC 52 clipboard?

Your terminal must support OSC 52 escape sequences and pass them through SSH without stripping them. Configure tmux and Neovim settings as documented to recognize and route clipboard data via OSC 52 back to the local clipboard.

Does OSC 52 clipboard work with all SSH terminals?

OSC 52 requires terminal support for the escape sequences and SSH configuration that preserves them. Most modern terminals support it, but your SSH setup must allow OSC 52 sequences to pass through unmodified for clipboard sharing to function.

What's the difference between OSC 52 and manual clipboard transfer over SSH?

OSC 52 automates clipboard sharing via escape sequences, eliminating manual copy-paste steps. Instead of manually transferring text, yanking in remote Neovim or tmux directly populates your local clipboard through the terminal protocol.