How to Install Clean Copy for Obsidian (BRAT, Manual & Zip)

Way 1 — Install with BRAT (fastest, auto-updates)

Install BRAT from Obsidian's community plugin browser (Settings → Community plugins → Browse → search "BRAT").
Open the command palette (Ctrl/Cmd+P) and run BRAT: Add a beta plugin for testing.
Enter mahope/clean-copy-obsidian and confirm.
Enable Clean Copy in Settings → Community plugins.

BRAT watches the repository's releases, so every future version arrives automatically.

Way 2 — Manual install from the GitHub release

Open the latest release page.
Download main.js, manifest.json and styles.css.
Create the folder <your-vault>/.obsidian/plugins/clean-copy-obsidian/ and put all three files inside it.
Restart Obsidian or reload community plugins, then enable Clean Copy.

This method also works on Obsidian mobile — use any file manager to reach the vault folder.

Way 3 — One-click zip bundle

The same three files are bundled as a single download:

Download v1.0.9 zip

Unzip it into <vault>/.obsidian/plugins/ so you end up with a clean-copy-obsidian folder containing the three files, then enable the plugin as above.

First run

Copy any formatted text from the web, then in Obsidian press Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+V (or run "Paste as clean Markdown" from the command palette). Headings arrive as #, links as [text](url), tables as pipe tables, entities decoded. Two more commands live in the palette: Paste as plain text and Clean selection for tidying text already in a note.

About Clean Copy → Try it in the browser first →

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to install plugins from GitHub?

Yes, when the release is built from a public repository you can inspect. Clean Copy's source is public at github.com/mahope/clean-copy-obsidian, each release ships exactly three files (main.js, manifest.json, styles.css), and the plugin makes no network requests — conversion runs locally.

Does this work on Obsidian mobile?

The manual and zip methods do: copy the three files into your vault's .obsidian/plugins folder from any file manager, then reload the plugin list. BRAT is desktop-only, so mobile users should use the manual method.

Why isn't it in the community plugin directory yet?

Submission through Obsidian's developer dashboard is pending. The build is identical either way — installing via BRAT or manually gives you the same version today, and you can switch to the directory listing once approved.

Is Pro required for basic use?

No. Paste as clean Markdown, plain-text paste and clean-selection are free forever. Pro ($19/yr) only adds custom find/replace cleanup rules.

← Paste Into Obsidian Without the Formatting Mess

Free e-book: Build Your First Chrome Extension

The complete guide is available as a free EPUB — no signup required.

Get the free e-book →

Want all six guides? Complete EU Compliance Bundle — combined PDF + all EPUBs, $29.