feature request: copy/paste to system clipboard

[stevalkr]

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Describe the feature

Hi! This plugin has become an essential tool for me to browse file directories. However, in some cases, using the system’s graphical file explorer (and any other tools) is more convenient. I’d like the ability to copy files from Neovim and paste them into the system clipboard (and vice versa), just like copying and pasting files in a graphical file explorer.

Provide background

When I connect a removable device, the path is often difficult to input manually. Similarly, when I want to send files to other applications (like a browser or chat software), I have to manually open the file explorer, copy the file, and then paste it into the application.

What is the significance of this feature?

strongly desired

Additional details

I’m not sure if this is feasible on all systems, but on macOS, it can be achieved using osascript.

[stevearc]

There are actions to copy the file path, but if you want to copy the file itself that would require something like the osascript you linked. I would review a PR that adds an action with that functionality.

[ethanuppal]

This would be pretty cool -- it seems it's a bit harder on Linux but very doable. I've made a fork to start tinkering with this on macOS, at least.

[ethanuppal]

As a sidenote, the keybinds gy and gp seem suitable for these actions.

[stevalkr]

I’ve created a simple version of copying/pasting to the macOS clipboard, and it works. But it needs further investigation, made an ugly implementation of #156

[stevalkr]

parser.parse isn’t the best fit for asynchronous file operations. We could add a synchronous add_file function to the adapters to support not only files.

Or, we could implement it during rendering, though that’s not ideal either, but at least it’s asynchronous. If you all have any better ideas, please let me know, and I’d be happy to help.

[xzbdmw]

Similarly, when I want to send files to other applications (like a browser or chat software), I have to manually open the file explorer, copy the file, and then paste it into the application.

I'm using this approach to open the path in finder, after that you can copy it from there (one more step though)

                ["<c-cr>"] = function()
                    require("oil.actions").yank_entry.callback()
                    local path = vim.fn.getreg('"')
                    -- show in finder
                    vim.system({ "open", "-R", path }):wait()
                end,
                ["<d-cr>"] = function()
                    require("oil.actions").yank_entry.callback()
                    local path = vim.fn.getreg('"')
                    -- directly open
                    vim.system({ "open", path }):wait()
                end,