This document describes how to set up a script on Linux to capture selected text and send it to ChatGPT using a simple keyboard shortcut.

You can watch a demo of the script in action

Demo Video on Youtube

The chatgpt-integration.sh script performs the following tasks:

1. Captures selected text: The script uses xclip to capture the currently selected text in the clipboard.
2. Verifies the capture: If no text is captured, the script displays an error message using zenity.
3. URL encodes the text: The captured text is URL encoded using jq, ensuring special characters are correctly included in the query.
4. Opens ChatGPT in the browser: The script then opens the default browser with the ChatGPT URL, passing the selected text as a query parameter.

Before using the script, ensure that the following packages are installed on your system:

• xclip: To capture the selected text.
• zenity: To display the confirmation or modification dialog box.
• jq: To URL encode the captured text.
• google-chrome: To open ChatGPT in a new incognito tab in Chrome.

sudo apt-get install xclip zenity jq google-chrome-stable

Create a script file in a directory of your choice, for example, /usr/local/bin/chatgpt-integration.sh.

sudo nano /usr/local/bin/chatgpt-integration.sh

Paste the following content into the file:

#!/bin/bash

# Capture the selected text using xclip
selected_text=$(xclip -o)

# Open a dialog box to confirm or modify the text
query=$(zenity --entry --title="Send to ChatGPT Mini" --text="Paste your text:" --entry-text="$selected_text")

# If the input is not empty
if [ ! -z "$query" ]; then
    # Encode the query to be used in a URL
    encoded_query=$(echo "$query" | jq -sRr @uri)
    
    # Define the screen resolution (replace if necessary)
    screen_width=1920
    screen_height=1080
    
    # Calculate the position on the right side of the screen
    window_width=400
    window_height=800
    window_x=$((screen_width - window_width))
    window_y=$((screen_height / 2 - window_height / 2))  # Centered vertically
    
    # Open the browser in a new incognito tab with custom size and position
    google-chrome --incognito --window-size=$window_width,$window_height --window-position=$window_x,$window_y --app="https://chatgpt.com/?model=gpt-4o-mini&q=$encoded_query"
fi

Give the script execution permission:

sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/chatgpt-integration.sh

To configure a keyboard shortcut that runs the script:

1. Open System Settings.
2. Navigate to the Keyboard Shortcuts section.
3. Add a new shortcut:
   • Name: Send to ChatGPT
   • Command: /usr/local/bin/chatgpt-integration.sh
   • Keyboard Shortcut: Choose a key combination that is not in use, such as Ctrl+Alt+C.
4. Save the new shortcut.

1. Select the text in any application and copy.
2. Press the configured keyboard shortcut and paste.
3. The text will automatically be sent to ChatGPT in your browser.

• Text not captured: If the script does not capture the text, ensure that xclip is installed and functioning correctly.
• Command error: Verify that all the necessary commands (xclip, jq, zenity, etc.) are installed and working.

This integration allows any Linux user to select text in any application and, with a simple keyboard shortcut, send that text directly to ChatGPT, streamlining workflow and productivity.