Auto-Paste Helper

A lightweight companion app that lets PastePaw automatically paste your selected clip into any app — no ⌘V needed.

macOS 13.0+ · Intel & Apple Silicon · Free

Code-signed with Developer ID Notarized by Apple

How it works

Because PastePaw is sandboxed on the Mac App Store, it cannot directly inject keystrokes into other apps. The Helper runs as a background LaunchAgent outside the sandbox. When you select a clip in PastePaw, it signals the Helper, which then sends ⌘V to the frontmost app on your behalf.

Installation

Download and open the DMG

Click the Download button above. Once downloaded, double-click the .dmg file to open it.

Drag to Applications

Drag PastePawAutoPasteHelper.app into your Applications folder, then eject the DMG.

Open the app once

Launch PastePawAutoPasteHelper from Applications. It will register itself as a login item and start automatically from now on. macOS will prompt you to grant Accessibility access — click Open System Settings and enable it.

You're all set

Open PastePaw → Settings → General. You should see a green "Helper app is active" status. Now when you select any clip, it will be pasted automatically into the frontmost app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Helper app safe? Why does it need Accessibility?

Yes. The Helper only listens for a private notification from PastePaw and responds by sending ⌘V to the current frontmost app. Accessibility permission is required by macOS for any app that injects keystrokes. The Helper has no network access and stores no data.

Why is the Helper distributed outside the Mac App Store?

The Mac App Store sandbox prevents apps from injecting input events. The Helper must run outside the sandbox to send ⌘V on behalf of PastePaw. This is a standard pattern for clipboard managers that support auto-paste.

Does the Helper start automatically at login?

Yes. The install script registers it as a macOS LaunchAgent, so it starts automatically whenever you log in — no manual action needed.

The status says "Helper not running" — what do I do?

Move the app to Trash, download a fresh copy, drag it back to Applications, and open it once. If the problem persists, check that Accessibility permission is granted in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility.