[Linux] Selecting text does not copy to clipboard

[ganjarsetia]

Issue Description

On Linux, selecting text with mouse does NOT copy to system clipboard. Paste (Ctrl+Shift+V or right-click) fails because clipboard is empty. I use ZSH with Oh-my-zsh

Expected Behavior

Selected text should be copied to system clipboard automatically when selecting with mouse.

Actual Behavior

Clipboard remains empty after selection; verified using AI Agent with wl-paste --list-types shows "Nothing is copied".

Reproduction Steps

Install Ghostty using /bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/mkasberg/ghostty-ubuntu/HEAD/install.sh)"

1. Open Ghostty
2. Create a new tab (2nd tab)
3. Run ls command
4. Select text (filename/folder) using mouse
5. Switch to 1st tab
6. Press CTRL+SHIFT+V to paste → nothing happens
7. Try right-click → Paste → nothing happens

---

AI Agent tried too!

1. open terminal & run sudo apt install wl-clipboard
2. Open Ghostty
3. Run ls command
4. Select text with mouse (click and drag)
5. Run wl-paste --list-types → shows "Nothing is copied"

selected text

nothing happens

Ghostty Logs

No response

Ghostty Version

Ghostty 1.2.3

Version
  - version: 1.2.3
  - channel: stable
Build Config
  - Zig version   : 0.14.1
  - build mode    : builtin.OptimizeMode.ReleaseFast
  - app runtime   : apprt.Runtime.gtk
  - font engine   : font.main.Backend.fontconfig_freetype
  - renderer      : renderer.generic.Renderer(renderer.OpenGL)
  - libxev        : io_uring
  - kernel version: 6.18.7-76061807-generic
  - desktop env   : other
  - GTK version   :
    build         : 4.14.5
    runtime       : 4.14.5
  - libadwaita    : enabled
    build         : 1.5.0
    runtime       : 1.5.0
  - libX11        : enabled
  - libwayland    : enabled

OS Version Information

Pop!_OS 24.04 LTS (Ubuntu-based)

(Linux only) Display Server

Wayland

(Linux only) Desktop Environment/Window Manager

System76 (Cosmic)

Minimal Ghostty Configuration

window-width = 82
window-height = 23
theme = Cobalt2
background-opacity = 0.8
copy-on-select = true

Additional Relevant Configuration

No response

I acknowledge that:

• I have reviewed the FAQ and confirm that my issue is NOT among them.
• I have searched the Ghostty repository (both open and closed Discussions and Issues) and confirm this is not a duplicate of an existing issue or discussion.
• I have checked the "Preview" tab on all text fields to ensure that everything looks right, and have wrapped all configuration and code in code blocks with a group of three backticks (```) on separate lines.

[rhodes-b]

Selected text should be copied to system clipboard automatically when selecting with mouse.

that is not correct it should go into the selection clipboard which by default has always been middle mouse button to paste on linux, try it on your web browser for example selecting text will not copy it to the system clipboard but clicking middle mouse will paste what you selected

https://ghostty.org/docs/config/reference#copy-on-select
you need to set this to clipboard if you want it to actually copy to the system clipboard

[ganjarsetia]

Ah I see. I just found my answer. Thanks

Edit: its the same answer btw

[ganjarsetia]

Adding/changing config to this and its working. I tested paste using CTRL+SHIFT+V, middle click & right click -> paste

copy-on-select = clipboard