I switch between my phone, tablet, and laptop constantly. Like many developers, I often copy links, notes, commands, or small files that I want to access on another device.
But surprisingly, moving small pieces of information between devices is still awkward.
Most of the time I end up doing one of these:
- emailing something to myself
- sending it through a chat app
- saving it in a notes app
- uploading it to cloud storage
All of that just to move a link or a small snippet of text.
So I decided to build a small side project to solve this problem.
The Idea
The goal was simple:
Create a temporary shared clipboard between devices that works instantly.
No accounts.
No installation.
No setup.
Just open a webpage on multiple devices, enter the same room code, and share content instantly.
That project became ClipSync.
How It Works
ClipSync uses a simple concept: temporary rooms.
Each room acts as a shared clipboard where devices can send and receive content in real time.
Workflow:
- Open ClipSync on two or more devices
- Enter the same room code
- Anything you paste appears instantly on the other devices
You can share:
- text
- images
- files
All connected devices see updates in real time.
Real-Time Sync
To make syncing instant, the application uses WebSockets.
When a user sends text or uploads a file, the server broadcasts the event to every device connected to the same room.
This allows updates to appear immediately without refreshing the page.
Technology Stack
The project is intentionally simple.
Backend
- Node.js
- Socket.io for real-time communication
- Redis for temporary storage
Frontend
- Typescript
- Modern browser APIs
- Responsive layout for mobile and desktop
Redis stores room data and automatically expires entries after a set time.
Temporary Storage
ClipSync is designed for quick temporary sharing, not long-term storage.
Rooms automatically expire after 24 hours.
There are also some limits to keep the service stable:
- maximum 30 items per room
- maximum 5 files per room
- maximum file size of 25 MB
- maximum text length of 30,000 characters
If limits are exceeded, the oldest items are removed automatically.
Cross-Platform by Default
Because ClipSync runs entirely in the browser, it works on:
- Windows
- macOS
- Linux
- Android
- iOS
Any device with a modern browser can join a room and start sharing content instantly.
Why I Built It
This project started as a small experiment, but I quickly realized how often I needed something like this.
Sometimes the simplest tools solve everyday annoyances better than complex solutions.
Instead of installing apps or creating accounts, I just wanted something that works instantly when needed.
Try It
If you're curious, you can try ClipSync here:
I'm always interested in feedback from other developers. If you have ideas for improvements or features, I'd love to hear them.
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