Snappaster – take picture with webcam and put path in clipboard

A program for MacOS to take a picture with your webcam and put the path in clipboard, for easy image use with Claude Code and maybe other ai tooling. Or set SNAPSHOT_DIR to a directory in your repo and use your editor's ai tools to work with the images.

1. Make the script executable:

   cd snappaster chmod +x snappaster

2. Install dependencies:

• Default save location is $HOME/Pictures/snappaster-snapshots
• Camera device is auto-detected from available webcams
• Customize settings by setting environment variables:
  • Create or edit the .env file:
    SNAPSHOT_DIR=$HOME/your/custom/path CAMERA_DEVICE="Your Webcam Name"
  • Or set temporarily when running:
    SNAPSHOT_DIR=/path/to/snapshots CAMERA_DEVICE="FaceTime HD Camera" ./snappaster

• snappaster script - takes screenshot, puts path in clipboard
  • takes screenshot with imagesnap - https://github.com/rharder/imagesnap
  • convert jpg to png with sips - https://ss64.com/mac/sips.html
  • puts path in clipboard with pbcopy
• can be used with skhd for hotkey - https://github.com/koekeishiya/skhd
  # editing config vim ~/.config/skhd # start and stop daemon skhd --start-service skhd --stop-service # restart daemon skhd --restart-service # reload config skhd --reload
• nice to use with a macropad
  • can bind a key on macropad to call the keyboard shortcut defined w/ skhd

• Can't find your webcam device name?

Then set the exact name as an environment variable:

Development & Tech:

• Whiteboard diagrams → Claude Code generates code diagrams (mermaid, ASCII art, etc.)
• Handwritten notes → Digital todo lists and task tracking
• Meeting whiteboards → Structured summaries and action items
• Code sketches → Implementation planning

Creative & Design:

• Hand sketches → Digital mockups and wireframes
• Color palettes from real objects → CSS/design system generation
• Typography samples → Font identification and pairing suggestions
• Layout ideas → HTML/CSS implementation

Learning & Education:

• Textbook problems → Step-by-step solutions
• Handwritten math → LaTeX formatting
• Language practice (signs, menus) → Translation and grammar explanations
• Research notes → Bibliography and citation formatting

Work & Productivity:

• Business cards → Contact info extraction and CRM entry
• Receipt photos → Expense tracking and categorization
• Flowcharts → Process documentation
• Sticky note brainstorms → Organized project plans

Home & Life:

• Plant problems → Care diagnosis and solutions
• Error messages/screens → Troubleshooting guides
• Product labels → Ingredient analysis and alternatives
• Handwritten addresses → Map directions and contact info
• Ingredients photo → Recipe suggestions and cooking instructions
• Fridge contents → Grocery lists and meal planning
• Handwritten lists → Digital organization and reminders

Creative Problem Solving:

• Mind maps → Structured analysis
• Broken items → Repair instructions
• Assembly diagrams → Step-by-step guides
• Garden layouts → Planting schedules and care tips