Client-native copy-paste of text

[icec102]

A note for the community

Note

Please vote on this issue by adding a 👍 reaction to the original issue to help the community and maintainers prioritize this request.

Disclaimer

• I have read and understood the disclaimer.
• I plan to implement the feature myself.

Subsystem

None

Feature description

Making standard copy-paste work without special paste dialogs, etc would improve the everyday use-cases for this product a lot. For example, on a MacOS device running Safari or Chrome: cmd-C / cmd-V both to and from the remote computer would create a much more efficient workflow. If that requires special drivers on the target machine, so be it. In that case, prioritise the dominating platforms, like Windows 11 and Ubuntu 22.04/24.04 for the remote end.

It is a different tech-stack, but this request can be compared to what's provided by e.g. RDP clients (like from MacOS to a remote Windows 11 machine).

[butameron]

Really want this. But IMO, this feature should be supported via bidirectional serial port communication and a lightweight, install-less agent — implemented as a small script (e.g., PowerShell) or as a browser/VS Code extension. This is because CJK characters, images, etc. cannot be input directly through key events.

May be related: #726

Additional note:

For bidirectional communication, HID reports might be usable, but cross-platform support would be difficult. Another approach could be Morse code or 1-bit communication (e.g., Manchester coding) via the Scroll Lock state, but that would likely be unstable in real situations.

Another idea could be monetizing it as a premium feature of the cloud service — for example, an end-to-end encrypted copy-paste agent integrated with JetKVM’s WebUI.

[am-zed]

Tinypilot offers a copy/paste feature from the browser, eliminating the need for config/specification. Why not JetKVM?