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Building a universal clipboard to sync copy history across devices — would love your thoughts!
r/SideProject
7/1/2025
SAAS TOOLS
| SaaS | URL | Category | Features/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hoku | tryhoku.com | Clipboard Manager | Universal clipboard sync across Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android; Searchable history; Pin snippets; Background operation; End-to-end encryption; Local-only option; Future terminal version |
| Google Keep | N/A | Note-taking | Used for copying text between devices; Requires manual input |
| KDE Connect | N/A | Device Integration | Links devices for file transfer, notifications, remote control; Limited clipboard functionality |
| Notion | N/A | Productivity | Used as manual clipboard alternative; Requires switching tabs |
| Slack | N/A | Communication | Used for posting and copying values; Always accessible |
| Raindrop | N/A | Bookmark Manager | Suggested as feature inspiration; Category organization |
| Uniclip | github.com/quackduck/uniclip | Clipboard Sync | Open-source clipboard sync tool |
| Cross-clipboard | github.com/ntsd/cross-clipboard | Clipboard Sync | Open-source clipboard sync tool |
USER NEEDS
Pain Points:
- Manually emailing links/text between devices
- Using chat apps like Slack as a workaround
- Switching tabs/pages to access saved snippets
- Lack of seamless cross-platform clipboard sync
- Security concerns about clipboard data transmission
- Friction in workflow when devices aren't on same network
Problems to Solve:
- Syncing clipboard history across multiple devices (Mac/Windows/Linux/iOS/Android)
- Accessing frequently used snippets (email templates, code, addresses) instantly
- Searching through clipboard history efficiently
- Maintaining privacy/security of copied data (passwords, sensitive info)
- Reducing manual steps in transferring content between devices
Potential Solutions:
- Universal clipboard with background sync (Hoku)
- End-to-end encryption for data security
- Local-only mode for privacy-conscious users
- P2P sync option to avoid server dependency
- Open-source client for transparency
- Image support with OCR capabilities
- Automatic categorization (Raindrop inspiration)
- Terminal/CLI integration for developers
GROWTH FACTORS
Effective Strategies:
- Building cross-platform support (Windows/Linux/macOS/iOS/Android)
- Using shared codebase (Electron/React Native) for faster development
- MVP testing with target users
- Waitlist for beta signups to build user base
Marketing & Acquisition:
- Direct outreach on relevant subreddits (r/SideProject)
- Beta waitlist signup page (tryhoku.com)
- Addressing privacy concerns transparently in discussions
- Positioning against alternatives (KDE Connect, Google Keep)
Monetization & Product:
- Considering freemium model (open-source core with paid features)
- Potential pricing for cloud sync features
- Feature development based on user requests (terminal version, OCR)
- Product-market fit validation through MVP feedback
User Engagement:
- Soliciting feature requests in public forums
- Responding to all comments to build rapport
- Offering local-only option to address privacy concerns
- Planning sharing features for collaborative use