Snipping Tool

Quick screenshot capture with automatic Berri hiding

What It Does

The Snipping Tool lets you capture screenshots by temporarily hiding Berri and launching macOS's native screenshot selection tool.

Perfect for: Quick screenshots, visual documentation, sharing screen snippets

How It Works

1. Press your assigned shortcut (no default - you must assign one)

2. Berri automatically hides itself (becomes invisible)

3. macOS screenshot selection tool appears

4. Click and drag to select area

5. Release to capture

6. Screenshot is saved and Berri reappears

Key Feature: Berri hides during capture so it doesn't appear in your screenshots!

Hidden by Default

⚠️ Important: Snipping Tool is hidden by default. You must:

1. Enable it in Settings → PowerStrip Customization

2. Assign it a keyboard shortcut in Settings → Keyboard Shortcuts

Enabling Snipping Tool

Step 1: Make it visible

1. Settings → PowerStrip Customization

2. Find "Snipping Tool" in Hidden Modules

3. Drag to Visible Modules section

4. Position where you want it

Step 2: Assign a shortcut

1. Settings → Keyboard Shortcuts

2. Find "Snipping Tool" in the list

3. Click the shortcut field

4. Press your desired key combination

5. Berri saves it automatically

Suggested shortcuts:

• `Control+Shift+S` (S for Screenshot) ✅
• `Control+Shift+C` (C for Capture)
• `Control+S` (if not used by other modules)

Note: You can use the shortcut even if Snipping Tool is hidden from the PowerStrip.

Technical Details

What Happens Behind the Scenes

1. Berri sets window opacity to 0 (invisible but still running)

2. Calls macOS screencapture -i command (-i = interactive selection)

3. Waits for you to complete the capture

4. Processes the screenshot

5. Restores Berri window opacity to 1 (visible again)

Security

• Uses macOS built-in screencapture (no third-party tools)
• Requires Screen Recording permission (System Settings)
• Screenshots saved to your default location (Desktop or custom)

Difference: Snipping Tool vs Screen Capture

Berri has TWO screenshot-related modules:

When to use each:

• Snipping Tool: Quick, everyday screenshots
• Screen Capture: Video recording, tutorials, advanced options

Required Permission

Both screenshot features require Screen Recording permission:

Granting Permission

1. System Settings → Privacy & Security

2. Click Privacy tab

3. Select Screen Recording from left sidebar

4. Check the box next to Berri

5. Restart Berri if prompted

Why This Permission?

macOS requires Screen Recording permission for ANY screenshot functionality, including the built-in screencapture command.

Privacy Note: Berri only captures when YOU trigger it with the shortcut. No automatic or background capturing.

Usage Tips

Quick Capture Workflow

1. See something worth capturing

2. Press your Snipping Tool shortcut

3. Select area

4. Done! Screenshot saved

Where Screenshots Go

By default, macOS saves screenshots to:

• Desktop (older macOS versions)
• Screenshots folder in Documents (newer versions)

To change location:

1. Open macOS Screenshot toolbar (Shift+Cmd+5)

2. Click Options

3. Choose save location

File Naming

Screenshots are auto-named:

• Format: `berri-capture-[timestamp].png`
• Example: `berri-capture-1704067200000.png`

Troubleshooting

Shortcut Does Nothing

1. Check if shortcut is assigned (Settings → Keyboard Shortcuts)

2. Verify Snipping Tool is enabled (Settings → PowerStrip Customization, can be hidden but enabled)

3. Ensure Screen Recording permission is granted

4. Try assigning a different shortcut

Berri Doesn't Hide

• This is a rare opacity issue
• Force quit Berri and restart
• Check macOS version compatibility

Screenshots Are Blank

• Screen Recording permission not granted
• Grant permission and restart Berri
• Check System Settings → Privacy & Security → Screen Recording

Can't Find Screenshots

• Check Desktop folder
• Check Documents → Screenshots
• Review macOS screenshot save location (Shift+Cmd+5 → Options)

Example Workflows

Documentation Writer

1. Write instructions

2. Control+Shift+S (Snipping Tool)

3. Capture relevant UI

4. Paste into documentation

Bug Reporter

1. Encounter bug

2. Control+Shift+S

3. Capture error message

4. Attach to GitHub issue

Designer

1. See design inspiration

2. Control+Shift+S

3. Quick reference capture

4. Add to mood board

Related Features

• [Screen Capture Module](/guide/feature-modules/screen-capture) - Advanced capture toolbar
• [Keyboard Shortcuts](/guide/interface-navigation/shortcuts) - Assign shortcuts
• [Permissions Setup](/guide/permissions-setup/screen-recording) - Grant permissions