🔒 Clip Lock

Clip Lock is a lightweight VS Code extension that lets you lock and unlock pasting inside VS Code using password protection.

It is designed for situations where you want to prevent accidental or unwanted paste actions while working in VS Code.

✨ Features

🔓 Unlock Pasting

Enter your password to unlock pasting.

• Password-protected
• Pasting becomes available after successful verification
• Incorrect passwords do not unlock pasting

🔒 Lock Pasting

Instantly lock pasting throughout VS Code.

• No password required to lock
• Keeps the extension in a locked state
• Designed to block standard VS Code paste actions

🔑 Change Password

Change your Clip Lock password securely.

The process is:

1. Enter the current password
2. Enter the new password
3. Confirm the new password
4. Password changes only when both new passwords match

The old password is required before a new password can be set.

🔐 Security

Clip Lock uses VS Code's SecretStorage API to store the password rather than storing it as ordinary plaintext extension state.

The default password on first activation is:

1947

You can change it anytime using Change Password.

Important: Clip Lock uses the APIs provided by VS Code to intercept paste operations. Some insertion methods may not be interceptable by an extension due to VS Code's API limitations.

🎯 How It Works

Clip Lock has three primary actions:

The extension starts in the Locked state whenever VS Code is activated.

📊 Status Bar

Clip Lock displays its current state in the VS Code status bar:

• 🔒 Clip Lock: Locked
• 🔓 Clip Lock: Unlocked

This makes it easy to see whether pasting is currently enabled.

🛠️ Commands

Clip Lock provides commands that can be accessed through the VS Code Command Palette:

• Clip Lock: Unlock Pasting
• Clip Lock: Lock Pasting
• Clip Lock: Change Password

Open the Command Palette with:

Ctrl + Shift + P

Then search for Clip Lock.

🚀 Installation

From VSIX

1. Build/package the extension into a .vsix file.
2. Open VS Code.
3. Open the Extensions panel.
4. Click the ... menu.
5. Select Install from VSIX...
6. Select the Clip Lock .vsix file.

After installation, activate the extension and use the Clip Lock commands.

🔑 Default Password

On the first activation, Clip Lock initializes its password as:

1947

For better security, change the password using Change Password.

⚠️ Limitations

Clip Lock works within the capabilities exposed by the VS Code Extension API.

It does not:

• Modify VS Code installation files
• Modify keybindings.json
• Use external executables
• Modify the operating system clipboard
• Guarantee interception of every possible method of inserting text

The extension focuses on blocking standard paste functionality that can be controlled through supported VS Code APIs.

🧑‍💻 Development

Clone or open the extension project in VS Code and install its dependencies.

Then press:

F5

This launches an Extension Development Host where Clip Lock can be tested independently.

📄 License

Add your preferred license here.

Clip Lock — Lock your paste. Keep your control. 🔒