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OSC 52 clipboard write

Category: extensions · Baseline: modern · Tags: Operating System Commands (OSC), Xterm Extensions · Specification ↗

OSC 52 clipboard write sets the system clipboard content. The sequence ESC ] 52 ; c ; base64-data BEL sets the clipboard to the decoded base64 content. Most modern terminals support clipboard write, though some require explicit opt-in for security (e.g., iTerm2 prompts the user). Write-only support is more common than read support — many terminals allow setting the clipboard but block reading it back to prevent clipboard snooping by malicious programs.
How this is testedautomated
Send OSC 52;c;base64-data BEL and verify the terminal remains responsive.

The same probe runs against headless backends (via Termless) and real terminal apps (via a daemon launched in each terminal). This lets us distinguish parser correctness from rendering correctness.

Analysis2026-04-06

Supported by all 7 tested terminals — universal adoption. Part of the Modern TUI baseline.

Supported by 14 of 14 backends (100%)

Terminal Applications

TerminalVersionSupportNotes
iTerm23.6.9✓ yes
Ghostty1.3.1✓ yes
VS Code✓ yes
Warp✓ yes
Cursor✓ yes
Terminal.app✓ yes

Headless Backends

Parser correctness only — a means the parser accepts the sequence.

BackendVersionSupportNotes
Alacritty0.26.0✓ yes
Kitty0.40.0✓ yes
vt100.js0.2.1✓ yes
vterm0.2.0✓ yes
WezTerm0.1.0-fork.5✓ yes
xterm.js5.5.0✓ yes