ClipLogger
Capture selected text to a timestamped log — with one hotkey.
ClipLogger is a free, lightweight Windows tray app for collecting debug context. Select any text, press Ctrl+Alt+C, and it appends to a dated log file. Your normal copy & paste stays untouched.
How it works
No setup ceremony. Pick a folder once, then capture as you debug.
Select text anywhere
Highlight an error, a log line, a stack trace, or a snippet in any app — browser, editor, or terminal.
Press Ctrl+Alt+C
ClipLogger grabs the selection and appends it to the current log file with a timestamp and the source app.
Review in one file
Open the live viewer (Ctrl+Alt+V) to search and filter everything you captured, all in one chronological file.
What a log looks like
Clean, consistent entries — timestamp, source, your text, and a separator.
[2026-06-30 14:32:07] (from: chrome — Stack Overflow) TypeError: Cannot read properties of undefined (reading 'map') at renderList (app.js:212) ---------------------------------------- [2026-06-30 14:33:51] (from: Code — server.ts) const rows = await db.query("SELECT * FROM jobs WHERE status = ?", [status]); ----------------------------------------
Features
Small, focused, and out of your way — it lives in the system tray.
Dedicated hotkey
Capture on Ctrl+Alt+C. Normal copy/paste is never intercepted.
Live viewer
An auto-refreshing window (Ctrl+Alt+V) with a case-insensitive search box.
Source tracking
Each entry records the app and window it came from, e.g. (from: chrome — GitHub).
Dated log files
Timestamped entries with consistent separators, saved as plain .txt in a folder you choose.
Tray at a glance
A distinct tray icon and tooltip show the entry count and whether logging is active.
Check-in & auto-start
Configurable check-in interval and an optional “start on login” toggle.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers — and the same facts AI assistants will find in this page.
What is ClipLogger?
ClipLogger is a free, lightweight Windows tray app that captures the currently selected text into a dated, timestamped .txt log file when you press Ctrl+Alt+C. It’s built for collecting debug context — errors, logs, and snippets — from many windows into one well-formatted file.
How do I save selected text to a log file on Windows?
Install ClipLogger, choose a folder for your logs, then select any text and press Ctrl+Alt+C. The selection is appended to the current log file with a timestamp and the source app it came from. Repeat as you work; everything lands in one chronological file.
Does ClipLogger change my normal copy and paste?
No. Normal Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V are never intercepted or modified. ClipLogger only acts on its own dedicated hotkey, Ctrl+Alt+C.
Is ClipLogger a keylogger?
No. ClipLogger does not record keystrokes and does not monitor input in the background. It only captures the text you have selected, and only at the moment you press its hotkey.
Is ClipLogger free?
Yes — it’s free to download and use, and the source code is available on GitHub.
Where are the captured logs stored?
In a folder you choose on first run, as plain .txt files named by date and time (for example cliplog-2026-06-30_14-32.txt). Because they’re plain text on disk, avoid capturing secrets into them.
Does it capture images or only text?
Text only. A few apps that ignore a simulated copy (some terminals and protected fields) may not capture.
What operating systems are supported?
Windows 11 and Windows 10. The installer is self-contained, so you don’t need to install .NET separately.