Macro Handler

Macro Handler

Android Automation Platform

Object MethodSystem ControlComing soonv1.0.52

System.pasteClipboard(mode, entryId?, replace?)

Pastes the current Android clipboard or saved text selected by stable ID into the focused editable field; returns a boolean outcome.

Documented for app version 1.0.52 (not on Google Play yet)Updated:

Detailed Explanation

This section explains when to use the API, how to call it, and which structures it works best with in production flow.

How To Call It

System is a global table: call its functions with a dot (System.<method>(...)), not a colon. Requires Macro Handler 1.0.52 or later.

When To Use It

In system flow, design steps as observe first and act second when the API can affect device state.

Parameters and Return

mode is "latest" or "history". For latest, entryId must be empty/nil: Android ACTION_PASTE runs in the target field without reading clipboard text into Macro Handler. For history, use a real saved UUID: saved text is composed at the cursor/selection and applied with ACTION_SET_TEXT. replace defaults to false; true replaces the whole field. Password/sensitive fields remain protected. The 4096 limit applies only to saved text. A refused action, invalid selection or missing entry returns false; true means the target accepted the action, not that a visual result was verified.

Options and Limits

All five APIs use the existing clipboard-read consent and macro STOP checks. Saved history contains only explicitly captured entries: at most 32, each up to 4096 UTF-16 code units, encrypted on this device outside backup. Android or keyboard history is not read. Deletion, eviction or key loss never selects other text as a fallback.

Best Combined With

Verify the focused editable field first. Android or the target app can refuse current paste, and clipboard contents can expire. This does not promise a bypass of Android clipboard restrictions. One call performs one paste; use existing flow blocks for waits and repetitions.

Example Usage

The snippet below is a starter pattern that can be applied directly in runtime flow.

lua
Try in Editor →
local ok = System.pasteClipboard("latest", "", false)
if not ok then error("Clipboard paste failed") end

Copyable Progressive Examples

From foundation to combined usage, each level is provided as a separate code block so you can copy the level you need and adapt it directly.

Foundation

Shows the shortest direct way to call the API.

Foundation
lua
Try in Editor →
local ok = System.pasteClipboard("latest", "", false)
if not ok then error("Clipboard paste failed") end

Simple

Wraps the base call with minimal flow control.

Simple
lua
Try in Editor →
local stepOk = true
local ok = System.pasteClipboard("latest", "", false)
if not ok then error("Clipboard paste failed") end
if stepOk then
  wait(200)
end

Practical Flow

A practical pattern for real macros with pcall, logging, and guards.

Practical Flow
lua
Try in Editor →
local ok, err = pcall(function()
  local ok = System.pasteClipboard("latest", "", false)
  if not ok then error("Clipboard paste failed") end
end)

if not ok then
  print("API step failed: System.pasteClipboard: " .. tostring(err))
  requestStop()
end

Detailed

This level packages the API into a reusable helper with error reporting.

Detailed
lua
Try in Editor →
-- In system flow, design steps as observe first and act second when the API can affect device state.
local function run_pasteclipboard_step()
  local ok = System.pasteClipboard("latest", "", false)
  if not ok then error("Clipboard paste failed") end
end

local ok, err = pcall(run_pasteclipboard_step)
if not ok then
  toast("Step failed")
  print(err)
end

Combined

Combines the API with related structures to form a more realistic workflow.

Combined
lua
Try in Editor →
local ok = System.pasteClipboard("latest", "", false)
if not ok then error("Clipboard paste failed") end