Let a multi-selection be copied as plain lines as well as a list

Copying several notes only produced a numbered list, which is wrong for
pasting into a prompt that already has structure. The selection now
offers both forms, Shift+click selects a range, and a selection bar
makes it obvious that more than one note is selected. Esc clears the
selection before it hides the panel.

AGENTS.md

@@ -13,19 +13,28 @@ clicking an item copies it back to the clipboard.
   `NSStatusItem Preferred Position Prompt`). Left click toggles the panel,
   right click shows the menu (accessibility state, launch at login, open data
   folder, quit). Contains the single-instance guard and `LoginItem`
-  (`SMAppService`).
+  (`SMAppService`). Also sets `NSApp.mainMenu` with Hide Panel (Cmd+W) and Quit
+  (Cmd+Q) — an accessory app shows no menu bar, but the main menu still
+  services key equivalents, which is the only way to quit from the keyboard
+  while the panel has focus. `applicationShouldHandleReopen` shows the panel so
+  launching an already-running app does something. Supports `--sync-check` and
+  `--diag` (writes the status item's frame and permission state to
+  `/tmp/prompt-diag.txt`, then exits).
 - `Sources/Prompt/Store.swift` — `@MainActor` `ObservableObject` singleton.
   Data model: `Section` → `[PromptItem]`, item content is
   `.text(String)` or `.image(String)` (filename). Persists to
   `~/Library/Application Support/Prompt/store.json`; images are PNG files in
   `Images/` next to it, cached in an `NSCache`. Owns all mutations (add,
   toggle done, edit, delete, move, merge, clear done) and clipboard writes
-  (`copy`, `copyAsList`). Saves on every mutation.
+  (`copy`, `copyAsList` for numbered output, `copyAsLines` for plain newlines;
+  both text modes skip image items). Saves on every mutation.
 - `Sources/Prompt/PanelView.swift` — the panel UI. Header (section switcher,
   search, add photos, close), item list, composer. Composer `# Name` creates/
-  switches sections. Click = copy; Cmd+click = multi-select; right-click =
+  switches sections. Click = copy; Cmd+click toggles multi-select, Shift+click
-  context menu (Copy, Copy as List, Done, Edit, Open, Merge, Move To, Delete).
+  selects a range, and a selection bar offers Copy as List / Copy as Lines;
-  Drop target for images/files.
+  right-click = context menu (Copy, Copy as List, Copy as Lines, Done, Edit,
+  Open, Merge, Move To, Delete). Esc clears the selection before it hides the
+  panel. Drop target for images/files.
 - `Sources/Prompt/PanelController.swift` — owns the floating `NSPanel`
   (`.nonactivatingPanel`, `.floating`, right-edge docked, frame autosaved as
   `PromptPanel`), the Cmd+V image-paste monitor, and `EditWindowController`
@@ -150,7 +159,8 @@ brew upgrade --cask prompt
 - **Never bind bare keys as `.keyboardShortcut` in the panel** (Space, Delete,
   plain Cmd+C). SwiftUI key equivalents are matched before text input and
   would steal characters from the composer TextField. Only Cmd-modified
-  shortcuts that TextFields don't use are bound (Cmd+F/K/N, Shift+Cmd+C).
+  shortcuts that TextFields don't use are bound (Cmd+F/K/N, Shift+Cmd+C,
+  Option+Cmd+C).
   This is why Copy has no in-panel shortcut: click-to-copy is the primary
   gesture, matching Copper's intent.
 - The panel is a `.nonactivatingPanel`; its `canBecomeKey` override is what
@@ -167,7 +177,10 @@ brew upgrade --cask prompt
   the main thread (the hotkey handler already dispatches to a global queue).
 - The double-Shift tap needs Accessibility; without it the event tap silently
   fails and only the Carbon fallbacks work. The panel banner and the status
-  menu both surface the permission state.
+  menu both surface the permission state, and `AppDelegate` shows a launch
+  alert when it is missing — otherwise a user who hides the panel is locked out
+  (no hotkey, no Dock icon) and reports it as "the app won't come back". Check
+  with `Prompt --diag` (`accessibility: false` is the tell).
 - `Info.plist` sets `NSAllowsArbitraryLoads` because the sync server URL is
   user-supplied and is often plain HTTP (LAN address, self-hosted box). ATS
   would otherwise block it with a confusing error.

README.md

@@ -8,8 +8,9 @@ to your work. Click anything to copy it back to your clipboard.
 - **Capture from anywhere** — select text in any app and tap **Left Shift twice**.
 - **Photos** — paste (Cmd+V), drag & drop, or add via the photo button.
 - **Sections** — type `# Name` in the composer; Cmd+K switches sections.
-- **Copy as List** — Cmd+click to multi-select, right-click → Copy as List
+- **Copy as List / Copy as Lines** — Cmd+click to multi-select (Shift+click for
-  (or Shift+Cmd+C) for a numbered list ready to paste into a chat.
+  a range), then copy the selection as a numbered list or as plain
+  newline-separated text, from the selection bar or the right-click menu.
 - **Merge Notes, Mark as Done, Edit, Move To** — right-click any item.
 - **Search** — Cmd+F searches across all sections.
 - **Sync (optional)** — generate an 8-digit code (`1234-5678`) on one Mac and
@@ -29,13 +30,16 @@ to your work. Click anything to copy it back to your clipboard.
 | Focus composer | Cmd+N |
 | Sync settings | Cmd+, |
 | Copy selection as numbered list | Shift+Cmd+C |
+| Copy selection as plain lines | Option+Cmd+C |
+| Clear selection | Esc |
 | Close panel | Esc |
 
 Double-Shift gestures require **Accessibility access** (Prompt reads the
-selection by simulating Cmd+C, then restores your clipboard untouched). The
+selection by simulating Cmd+C, then restores your clipboard untouched). Until
-Cmd+Shift fallbacks work without it. Bare keys like Space and Cmd+C are
+it is granted, use Cmd+Shift+Space and Cmd+Shift+C, or click the menu bar icon
-deliberately not bound inside the panel so they never conflict with typing in
+— and launching the app again always brings the panel back. Bare keys like
-the composer.
+Space and Cmd+C are deliberately not bound inside the panel so they never
+conflict with typing in the composer.
 
 ## Install
 

Sources/Prompt/App.swift

@@ -27,6 +27,18 @@ final class AppDelegate: NSObject, NSApplicationDelegate {
             return
         }
 
+        // --diag reports where the status item landed. On a notched Mac a
+        // brand-new item can be placed under the notch and be unclickable,
+        // which locks the user out once the panel is hidden.
+        if CommandLine.arguments.contains("--diag") {
+            setupStatusItem()
+            DispatchQueue.main.asyncAfter(deadline: .now() + 1.0) {
+                self.writeDiagnostics()
+                NSApp.terminate(nil)
+            }
+            return
+        }
+
         // Single instance: stale copies keep their hotkeys alive after an
         // update and eat the events meant for the new instance.
         let myPid = ProcessInfo.processInfo.processIdentifier
@@ -47,6 +59,8 @@ final class AppDelegate: NSObject, NSApplicationDelegate {
         HotkeyManager.shared.start()
 
         setupStatusItem()
+        setupMainMenu()
+        promptForAccessibilityIfNeeded()
 
         // Show the panel on launch so the app is discoverable (it has no Dock
         // icon and the menu bar icon can be hard to spot on a full bar).
@@ -56,6 +70,94 @@ final class AppDelegate: NSObject, NSApplicationDelegate {
         }
     }
 
+    /// Without Accessibility the Shift-Shift gestures fail silently, so the
+    /// panel can be hidden with no obvious way back. Say so on launch and
+    /// point at the shortcut that works without the permission.
+    private func promptForAccessibilityIfNeeded() {
+        guard !AXIsProcessTrusted() else { return }
+        let alert = NSAlert()
+        alert.messageText = "Prompt needs Accessibility access"
+        alert.informativeText = """
+        Capturing with Shift-Shift (and showing the panel with right Shift twice) \
+        only works with Accessibility access.
+
+        Until it is granted, use Cmd+Shift+Space to show or hide the panel and \
+        Cmd+Shift+C to capture, or click the menu bar icon.
+        """
+        alert.addButton(withTitle: "Open Settings")
+        alert.addButton(withTitle: "Later")
+        if alert.runModal() == .alertFirstButtonReturn {
+            let options = [kAXTrustedCheckOptionPrompt.takeUnretainedValue(): true] as CFDictionary
+            _ = AXIsProcessTrustedWithOptions(options)
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// A launched-again app must reveal itself. Without this, `open` (or
+    /// clicking it in Finder/Spotlight) hits the running instance, which does
+    /// nothing, so the app looks like it never started.
+    @MainActor
+    func applicationShouldHandleReopen(_ sender: NSApplication, hasVisibleWindows flag: Bool) -> Bool {
+        PanelController.shared.show()
+        return true
+    }
+
+    @MainActor
+    func applicationShouldTerminate(_ sender: NSApplication) -> NSApplication.TerminateReply {
+        // Stop the poll timer, any queued push, the event tap and the Carbon
+        // hotkeys so termination cannot be held up by a live callback.
+        SyncService.shared.stop()
+        HotkeyManager.shared.stop()
+        return .terminateNow
+    }
+
+    /// Accessory apps have no visible menu bar, but the main menu still
+    /// services key equivalents — this is what makes Cmd+Q and Cmd+W work
+    /// while the panel has focus.
+    private func setupMainMenu() {
+        let mainMenu = NSMenu()
+        let appMenuItem = NSMenuItem()
+        mainMenu.addItem(appMenuItem)
+
+        let appMenu = NSMenu()
+        appMenuItem.submenu = appMenu
+
+        let hide = NSMenuItem(title: "Hide Panel", action: #selector(hidePanel), keyEquivalent: "w")
+        hide.target = self
+        appMenu.addItem(hide)
+
+        appMenu.addItem(.separator())
+
+        let quit = NSMenuItem(title: "Quit Prompt", action: #selector(quit), keyEquivalent: "q")
+        quit.target = self
+        appMenu.addItem(quit)
+
+        NSApp.mainMenu = mainMenu
+    }
+
+    @MainActor @objc private func hidePanel() {
+        PanelController.shared.hide()
+    }
+
+    @MainActor
+    private func writeDiagnostics() {
+        var lines = ["Prompt diagnostics", "accessibility: \(AXIsProcessTrusted())"]
+        if let window = statusItem?.button?.window {
+            lines.append("status item frame: \(window.frame)")
+            if let screen = window.screen ?? NSScreen.main {
+                lines.append("screen: \(screen.frame) visible: \(screen.visibleFrame)")
+                lines.append("notch inset: \(screen.safeAreaInsets)")
+                let underNotch = window.frame.maxX > screen.frame.maxX - screen.safeAreaInsets.right
+                lines.append("under the notch: \(underNotch)")
+            }
+        } else {
+            lines.append("status item has no window (not in the menu bar)")
+        }
+        lines.append("preferred position: \(UserDefaults.standard.object(forKey: "NSStatusItem Preferred Position Prompt") ?? "unset")")
+        try? lines.joined(separator: "\n").write(
+            to: URL(fileURLWithPath: "/tmp/prompt-diag.txt"), atomically: true, encoding: .utf8
+        )
+    }
+
     private func setupStatusItem() {
         let item = NSStatusBar.system.statusItem(withLength: NSStatusItem.squareLength)
         item.autosaveName = "Prompt"

Sources/Prompt/HotkeyManager.swift

@@ -34,6 +34,22 @@ final class HotkeyManager {
         registerFallbackHotkeys()
     }
 
+    func stop() {
+        if let tap = eventTap {
+            CGEvent.tapEnable(tap: tap, enable: false)
+            CFMachPortInvalidate(tap)
+        }
+        if let source = runLoopSource {
+            CFRunLoopRemoveSource(CFRunLoopGetMain(), source, .commonModes)
+        }
+        for ref in hotKeyRefs {
+            if let ref { UnregisterEventHotKey(ref) }
+        }
+        hotKeyRefs.removeAll()
+        eventTap = nil
+        runLoopSource = nil
+    }
+
     // MARK: - Double-Shift event tap
 
     private func startEventTap() {

Sources/Prompt/PanelController.swift

@@ -31,12 +31,14 @@ final class PanelController: NSObject {
         }
         NSApp.activate(ignoringOtherApps: true)
         panel.makeKeyAndOrderFront(nil)
+        NSLog("Prompt: panel shown")
         NotificationCenter.default.post(name: .promptPanelDidShow, object: nil)
     }
 
     func hide() {
         panel?.orderOut(nil)
         NSApp.deactivate()
+        NSLog("Prompt: panel hidden (app keeps running for the Shift-Shift hotkeys)")
     }
 
     private func makePanel() -> KeyablePanel {

Sources/Prompt/PanelView.swift

@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ struct PanelView: View {
     @State private var showSync = false
     @State private var joinCode = ""
     @State private var selection = Set<UUID>()
+    @State private var lastSelectedID: UUID?
     @State private var copiedID: UUID?
     @State private var accessibilityGranted = AXIsProcessTrusted()
 
@@ -31,6 +32,9 @@ struct PanelView: View {
             Divider()
             content
             Divider()
+            if !selection.isEmpty {
+                selectionBar
+            }
             composerField
         }
         .frame(minWidth: 300)
@@ -76,7 +80,8 @@ struct PanelView: View {
             Button { addPhotos() } label: { Image(systemName: "photo.on.rectangle.angled") }
                 .buttonStyle(.plain).foregroundStyle(.secondary).help("Add photos")
             Button { PanelController.shared.hide() } label: { Image(systemName: "xmark") }
-                .buttonStyle(.plain).foregroundStyle(.secondary).help("Close (Esc)")
+                .buttonStyle(.plain).foregroundStyle(.secondary)
+                .help("Hide the panel (Cmd+W) — Prompt keeps running so Shift-Shift capture still works. Quit from the menu bar icon or Cmd+Q.")
         }
         .padding(.horizontal, 12)
         .padding(.vertical, 10)
@@ -86,8 +91,13 @@ struct PanelView: View {
         HStack(spacing: 8) {
             Image(systemName: "exclamationmark.triangle.fill")
                 .foregroundStyle(.yellow)
+            VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 2) {
                 Text("Shift-tap capture needs Accessibility access.")
                     .font(.caption)
+                Text("Meanwhile: Cmd+Shift+Space toggles this panel.")
+                    .font(.caption2)
+                    .foregroundStyle(.secondary)
+            }
             Spacer()
             Button("Grant…") {
                 let options = [kAXTrustedCheckOptionPrompt.takeUnretainedValue(): true] as CFDictionary
@@ -217,6 +227,7 @@ struct PanelView: View {
             }
         }
         .buttonStyle(.plain)
+        .help("Click to copy · Cmd+click to select several · Shift+click for a range · right-click for more")
         .contextMenu { contextMenu(for: item) }
     }
 
@@ -256,7 +267,11 @@ struct PanelView: View {
             Button("Copy") { copy(item) }
             Button("Copy as List") {
                 store.copyAsList(ids: effectiveIDs(for: item))
-                flashCopied(item)
+                flashCopied(item.id)
+            }
+            Button("Copy as Lines") {
+                store.copyAsLines(ids: effectiveIDs(for: item))
+                flashCopied(item.id)
             }
             Divider()
             Button(item.done ? "Mark as Not Done" : "Mark as Done") { store.toggleDone(item.id) }
@@ -273,7 +288,7 @@ struct PanelView: View {
             if selection.count > 1, selection.contains(item.id) {
                 Button("Merge Notes") {
                     store.merge(ids: selection)
-                    selection.removeAll()
+                    clearSelection()
                 }
             }
             Menu("Move To") {
@@ -450,6 +465,49 @@ struct PanelView: View {
         }
     }
 
+    // MARK: - Selection
+
+    private var selectionBar: some View {
+        HStack(spacing: 12) {
+            Text("\(selection.count) selected")
+                .font(.caption)
+                .foregroundStyle(.secondary)
+            Spacer()
+            Button("Copy as List") { copySelection(asList: true) }
+                .font(.caption)
+                .buttonStyle(.plain)
+                .foregroundStyle(Color.accentColor)
+            Button("Copy as Lines") { copySelection(asList: false) }
+                .font(.caption)
+                .buttonStyle(.plain)
+                .foregroundStyle(Color.accentColor)
+            Button { clearSelection() } label: {
+                Image(systemName: "xmark.circle.fill")
+            }
+            .buttonStyle(.plain)
+            .foregroundStyle(.tertiary)
+            .help("Clear selection (Esc)")
+        }
+        .padding(.horizontal, 12)
+        .padding(.vertical, 6)
+        .background(Color.accentColor.opacity(0.12))
+    }
+
+    private func copySelection(asList: Bool) {
+        guard !selection.isEmpty else { return }
+        if asList {
+            store.copyAsList(ids: selection)
+        } else {
+            store.copyAsLines(ids: selection)
+        }
+        if let id = selection.first { flashCopied(id) }
+    }
+
+    private func clearSelection() {
+        selection.removeAll()
+        lastSelectedID = nil
+    }
+
     // MARK: - Composer
 
     private var composerField: some View {
@@ -458,7 +516,15 @@ struct PanelView: View {
                 .textFieldStyle(.plain)
                 .focused($focusedField, equals: .composer)
                 .onSubmit(submit)
-                .onExitCommand { PanelController.shared.hide() }
+                .onExitCommand {
+                    // Esc clears a selection first, and only hides the panel
+                    // once there is nothing selected.
+                    if selection.isEmpty {
+                        PanelController.shared.hide()
+                    } else {
+                        clearSelection()
+                    }
+                }
             if !composer.isEmpty {
                 Button(action: submit) { Image(systemName: "arrow.up.circle.fill") }
                     .buttonStyle(.plain)
@@ -500,11 +566,13 @@ struct PanelView: View {
             }
             .keyboardShortcut(",", modifiers: .command)
             Button("") {
-                guard !selection.isEmpty else { return }
+                copySelection(asList: true)
-                store.copyAsList(ids: selection)
-                if let id = selection.first { flashCopied(PromptItem(id: id, content: .text(""))) }
             }
             .keyboardShortcut("c", modifiers: [.command, .shift])
+            Button("") {
+                copySelection(asList: false)
+            }
+            .keyboardShortcut("c", modifiers: [.command, .option])
         }
         .opacity(0)
         .frame(width: 0, height: 0)
@@ -514,26 +582,40 @@ struct PanelView: View {
     // MARK: - Actions
 
     private func handleClick(_ item: PromptItem) {
-        if NSApp.currentEvent?.modifierFlags.contains(.command) == true {
+        let modifiers = NSApp.currentEvent?.modifierFlags ?? []
+        if modifiers.contains(.command) {
             if selection.contains(item.id) {
                 selection.remove(item.id)
             } else {
                 selection.insert(item.id)
             }
+            lastSelectedID = item.id
+            return
+        }
+        if modifiers.contains(.shift), let anchor = lastSelectedID, anchor != item.id {
+            selectRange(from: anchor, to: item.id)
             return
         }
         copy(item)
     }
 
-    private func copy(_ item: PromptItem) {
+    private func selectRange(from anchor: UUID, to target: UUID) {
-        store.copy(item)
+        let ids = displayedItems.map(\.item.id)
-        flashCopied(item)
+        guard let start = ids.firstIndex(of: anchor), let end = ids.firstIndex(of: target) else { return }
+        let range = start <= end ? start...end : end...start
+        selection = Set(ids[range])
+        lastSelectedID = target
     }
 
-    private func flashCopied(_ item: PromptItem) {
+    private func copy(_ item: PromptItem) {
-        withAnimation { copiedID = item.id }
+        store.copy(item)
+        flashCopied(item.id)
+    }
+
+    private func flashCopied(_ id: UUID) {
+        withAnimation { copiedID = id }
         DispatchQueue.main.asyncAfter(deadline: .now() + 1.2) {
-            if copiedID == item.id {
+            if copiedID == id {
                 withAnimation { copiedID = nil }
             }
         }

Sources/Prompt/Store.swift

@@ -269,18 +269,34 @@ final class Store: ObservableObject {
     }
 
     func copyAsList(ids: Set<UUID>) {
-        let items = sections.flatMap(\.items)
+        let texts = selectedTexts(ids: ids)
+        guard !texts.isEmpty else { return }
+        let list = texts.enumerated().map { "\($0.offset + 1). \($0.element)" }.joined(separator: "\n")
+        writeToPasteboard(list)
+    }
+
+    /// Same selection as `copyAsList`, but joined with plain newlines so it
+    /// drops into a prompt without numbering.
+    func copyAsLines(ids: Set<UUID>) {
+        let texts = selectedTexts(ids: ids)
+        guard !texts.isEmpty else { return }
+        writeToPasteboard(texts.joined(separator: "\n"))
+    }
+
+    private func selectedTexts(ids: Set<UUID>) -> [String] {
+        sections.flatMap(\.items)
             .filter { ids.contains($0.id) }
             .sorted { $0.createdAt < $1.createdAt }
-        let texts = items.compactMap { item -> String? in
+            .compactMap { item in
                 if case .text(let text) = item.content { return text }
                 return nil
             }
-        guard !texts.isEmpty else { return }
+    }
-        let list = texts.enumerated().map { "\($0.offset + 1). \($0.element)" }.joined(separator: "\n")
+
+    private func writeToPasteboard(_ string: String) {
         let pasteboard = NSPasteboard.general
         pasteboard.clearContents()
-        pasteboard.setString(list, forType: .string)
+        pasteboard.setString(string, forType: .string)
     }
 
     // MARK: - Images

Sources/Prompt/SyncService.swift

@@ -67,6 +67,14 @@ final class SyncService: ObservableObject {
         restartPolling()
     }
 
+    func stop() {
+        pollTimer?.invalidate()
+        pollTimer = nil
+        pushWork?.cancel()
+        pushWork = nil
+        Store.shared.onDidChange = nil
+    }
+
     // MARK: - Group membership
 
     func generateCode() {