feature request: add a simple GUI to rclip

[03302024]

I am a Windows user. I installed the msi file. Now, how do I go about it?

[yurijmikhalevich]

Hi @03302024! Thank you for your interest in rclip ❤️

Since rclip is a command-line tool, you will have to use it from the terminal.

To use it:

• open any terminal (PowerShell, cmd)
• navigate to the directory you want to search using cd
• run rclip <search query>

This YouTube video shows it quite well. The idea is the same on Windows.

If you want to use the rclip --preview feature, you will have to install the mintty terminal on Windows. I usually install it with the Windows git distribution. If you install it with git, it will be called "git bash."

Let me know if this helps 😄

[03302024]

Thank you for your reply.

It seems the app downloads an additional ~1GB worth of files. Can I download them manually for future installations? can I backup the files that are downloaded now?

I installed 64-bit Git for Windows Setup with default settings.

I ran this command: "rclip -p face" and I get a list of image files, but no preview.

[03302024]

This app really needs a gui. I found rclip-server, but there is no info on how to use it on Windows.

[yurijmikhalevich]

@03302024,

I ran this command: "rclip -p face" and I get a list of image files, but no preview.

Did you run it in the "git bash" terminal?

Can I download them manually for future installations? can I backup the files that are downloaded now?

Yes, you can back them up. The files are stored at C:/Users/<USER>/AppData/Roaming/rclip. There is also an SQLite db with rclip index; you probably wouldn't want to back up the index because it's specific per installation.

This app really needs a gui.

I am considering building a GUI for it, but it will probably be a separate app. The whole point of rclip is to be used from a terminal. The benefit of this is that you can use it on any server/NAS over SSH.

I found rclip-server, but there is no info on how to use it on Windows.

You will most likely need to install Python and setup rclip-server manually via git clone git@github.com:ramayer/rclip-server.git, installing dependencies, etc.

[03302024]

Did you run it in the "git bash" terminal?

Of course not! Now, it works just fine. Thank you.

Yes, you can back them up.

You may want to add this info to the main web page.

I am considering building a GUI for it

That would be great.

but it will probably be a separate app.

Thats fine, as long as there is one download per app. I am not a fan of downloading after installating an app.

You will most likely need to install Python and ...

As much as I like to do that, but I don't know anything of Linux. So, it is a no go for me.

[yurijmikhalevich]

@03302024,

Of course not! Now, it works just fine. Thank you.

🎉 amazing! I am glad, it works!

You may want to add this info to the main web page.

Good idea. May do. Or, I may bundle the model with the distribution. Will think about it 🤔

I am trying to understand which kind of UI would work best for rclip. Can you help me by answering a few questions?

What are you using rclip for?

Which kind of UI would you prefer?

[03302024]

I may bundle the model with the distribution.

I prefer this. One complete download that works as intended after installation. One may adjust settings to his/her liking, then.

What are you using rclip for?

Browsing my images and finding some specific ones.

Which kind of UI would you prefer?

I think a simple practical, not a fancy, GUI would do. Something similar to rclip-server, however, I would add a button for selecting the "Search" folder, and another button for saving the image list as a text file.

I would rather have a Treeview pane for navigation to different folders, and a Preview pane for showing a larger version of the image. Have an option to resize the thumbnails. Something more similar to XnViewMP.

[03302024]

Just for reference, two more screenshots from image comparison specialized apps.

[yurijmikhalevich]

@03302024, thank you for sharing your thoughts! I have noted everything and will let you know when / if the rclip GUI is released.

[03302024]

Thank you. Looking forward to test a pre-release version.

[03302024]

Is there any news on a Windows (portable) version with a GUI?