# xsel > X11 selection and clipboard manipulation tool. > More information: . - Use a command's output as input of the clip[b]oard (equivalent to `Ctrl + C`): `echo 123 | xsel -ib` - Use the contents of a file as input of the clipboard: `cat {{path/to/file}} | xsel -ib` - Output the clipboard's contents into the terminal (equivalent to `Ctrl + V`): `xsel -ob` - Output the clipboard's contents into a file: `xsel -ob > {{path/to/file}}` - Clear the clipboard: `xsel -cb` - Output the X11 primary selection's contents into the terminal (equivalent to a mouse middle-click): `xsel -op`