Hammerspoon macOS Cmd+C+C translator for ChatGPT and Gemini

README.md

macOS Cmd+C+C AI Translator

A small Hammerspoon automation for macOS. Press Cmd+C+C to copy selected text, open the selected AI provider, paste a translation prompt, and optionally submit it automatically.

Behavior

• If copied text is primarily Russian → translate to English.
• If copied text is not primarily Russian → translate to Russian.
• Preserves formatting, code blocks, URLs, commands, names, numbers, and technical terms.

Supported providers

• ChatGPT macOS app
• Gemini macOS app / PWA
• Browser fallback for ChatGPT and Gemini

Requirements

• macOS
• Hammerspoon
• ChatGPT app and/or Gemini app/PWA
• Accessibility permissions for Hammerspoon

Install Hammerspoon

brew install --cask hammerspoon

Create config directory

mkdir -p ~/.hammerspoon

Install script

Download or copy init.lua into:

~/.hammerspoon/init.lua

Example:

cp init.lua ~/.hammerspoon/init.lua

Reload Hammerspoon

From the menu bar:

Hammerspoon → Reload Config

Or from terminal:

osascript -e 'tell application "Hammerspoon" to reload config'

macOS permissions

Open:

System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility

Enable:

Hammerspoon

macOS may also ask for Automation or Input Monitoring permissions.

Usage

1. Select text in any app.
2. Press:

Cmd+C+C

3. The selected provider opens.
4. The translation prompt is pasted.
5. If auto-submit is enabled, the prompt is sent automatically.

Menu

The menu bar item shows the active provider:

GPT Gemini AI

Menu options:

ChatGPT Gemini Auto-submit: ON/OFF Restore clipboard: ON/OFF Reload Hammerspoon config

Check app bundle IDs

ChatGPT:

osascript -e 'id of app "ChatGPT"'

Gemini:

osascript -e 'id of app "Gemini"'

If the returned bundle ID differs from the default config, update this section in init.lua:

chatGpt = {
    appName = "ChatGPT",
    bundleId = "com.openai.chat",
}

For Gemini:

gemini = {
    appName = "Gemini",
    bundleId = "actual.gemini.bundle.id",
}

If unsure, keep Gemini bundleId = nil.

Configuration

Main options in init.lua:

submitAutomatically = true
restoreClipboardAfterPaste = true
activeProvider = "chatgpt"

Available providers:

activeProvider = "chatgpt"
activeProvider = "gemini"

Disable auto-submit:

submitAutomatically = false

Disable clipboard restore:

restoreClipboardAfterPaste = false

Troubleshooting

Cmd+C still works normally, but Cmd+C+C does nothing

Reload Hammerspoon:

osascript -e 'tell application "Hammerspoon" to reload config'

Then check Accessibility permissions:

System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility

ChatGPT does not open

Check the bundle ID:

osascript -e 'id of app "ChatGPT"'

Update:

bundleId = "returned.bundle.id"

Gemini opens in browser instead of app

Check if macOS can find the Gemini app:

open -a "Gemini"

If it opens, check bundle ID:

osascript -e 'id of app "Gemini"'

Then set:

bundleId = "returned.bundle.id"

Text is pasted into the wrong app

Increase delays:

openDelay = 1.30
appOpenDelay = 1.50
webOpenDelay = 2.80

Uninstall

Remove the config:

rm ~/.hammerspoon/init.lua

Or uninstall Hammerspoon:

brew uninstall --cask hammerspoon

init.lua

-- ~/.hammerspoon/init.lua

--[[
Cmd+C+C translator MVP with provider switcher.

Flow:
1. First Cmd+C works as normal copy.
2. Second Cmd+C within doubleTapInterval triggers:
   - read clipboard
   - build translation prompt
   - open selected provider: ChatGPT or Gemini
   - paste prompt
   - optionally press Return
   - restore clipboard

Menu:
AI/GPT/Gemini -> ChatGPT / Gemini
]]

local config = {
    doubleTapInterval = 0.45,

    copyReadDelay = 0.18,
    pasteDelay = 0.05,
    restoreClipboardDelay = 0.90,

    submitAutomatically = true,
    restoreClipboardAfterPaste = true,

    maxClipboardBytes = 120000,
    showAlerts = true,

    -- chatgpt | gemini
    activeProvider = "chatgpt",

    chatGpt = {
        appName = "ChatGPT",

        -- Check with:
        -- osascript -e 'id of app "ChatGPT"'
        bundleId = "com.openai.chat",

        openDelay = 1.00,
        newChatDelay = 0.35,

        browserFallbackEnabled = true,
        browserFallbackUrl = "https://chatgpt.com/",
        browserFallbackDelay = 1.60
    },

    gemini = {
        appName = "Gemini",

        -- For Gemini PWA/Desktop app this may be different.
        -- Check with:
        -- osascript -e 'id of app "Gemini"'
        --
        -- Leave nil if unsure. It will use: open -a "Gemini"
        bundleId = nil,

        appOpenDelay = 1.20,

        browserFallbackEnabled = true,
        webUrl = "https://gemini.google.com/",
        webOpenDelay = 2.20
    }
}

local providerLabels = {
    chatgpt = "ChatGPT",
    gemini = "Gemini"
}

local state = {
    lastCopyTapAt = 0,
    isProcessing = false,
    eventTap = nil,
    menu = nil
}

local keyCodeC = hs.keycodes.map["c"]

local translationPromptTemplate = [[
You are a precise translation engine.

Detect the language of the input.

Rules:
- If the input is primarily Russian, translate it to natural, precise English.
- If the input is not primarily Russian, translate it to natural, precise Russian.
- Preserve meaning, formatting, paragraphs, lists, code blocks, numbers, names, URLs, commands, and technical terms.
- Do not explain anything.
- Do not add comments.
- Return only the translation.

Input:

{{clipboard}}
]]

local updateMenu

local function alert(message)
    if config.showAlerts then
        hs.alert.show(message)
    end
end

local function trim(value)
    if type(value) ~= "string" then
        return ""
    end

    return value:match("^%s*(.-)%s*$")
end

local function getClipboardText()
    local value = hs.pasteboard.getContents()

    if type(value) ~= "string" then
        return nil
    end

    return value
end

local function setClipboardText(value)
    if type(value) ~= "string" then
        return false
    end

    return hs.pasteboard.setContents(value)
end

local function buildTranslationPrompt(copiedText)
    return translationPromptTemplate:gsub("{{clipboard}}", function()
        return copiedText
    end)
end

local function shellQuote(value)
    return "'" .. tostring(value):gsub("'", "'\\''") .. "'"
end

local function isAutoRepeat(event)
    local properties = hs.eventtap.event.properties
    local value = event:getProperty(properties.keyboardEventAutorepeat)

    return value ~= nil and value ~= 0
end

local function isCommandC(event)
    if event:getKeyCode() ~= keyCodeC then
        return false
    end

    if isAutoRepeat(event) then
        return false
    end

    local flags = event:getFlags()

    return flags.cmd == true
        and flags.alt ~= true
        and flags.ctrl ~= true
        and flags.shift ~= true
        and flags.fn ~= true
end

local function finishProcessing()
    state.isProcessing = false
end

local function restoreClipboard(copiedText)
    if not config.restoreClipboardAfterPaste then
        return
    end

    hs.timer.doAfter(config.restoreClipboardDelay, function()
        setClipboardText(copiedText)
    end)
end

local function submitIfNeeded()
    if not config.submitAutomatically then
        return
    end

    hs.timer.doAfter(0.08, function()
        hs.eventtap.keyStroke({}, "return", 0)
    end)
end

local function pastePrompt(prompt, copiedText)
    local clipboardSet = setClipboardText(prompt)

    if not clipboardSet then
        alert("Translator: failed to set clipboard")
        finishProcessing()
        return
    end

    hs.timer.doAfter(config.pasteDelay, function()
        hs.eventtap.keyStroke({ "cmd" }, "v", 0)

        submitIfNeeded()
        restoreClipboard(copiedText)

        finishProcessing()
    end)
end

local function openUrlAndPaste(url, delay, prompt, copiedText)
    hs.execute('/usr/bin/open ' .. shellQuote(url), true)

    hs.timer.doAfter(delay, function()
        pastePrompt(prompt, copiedText)
    end)
end

local function launchOrFocusApp(appConfig)
    if type(appConfig.bundleId) == "string" and appConfig.bundleId ~= "" then
        local launchedByBundleId = hs.application.launchOrFocusByBundleID(appConfig.bundleId)

        if launchedByBundleId then
            return true
        end
    end

    if type(appConfig.appName) ~= "string" or appConfig.appName == "" then
        return false
    end

    local _, status = hs.execute(
        "/usr/bin/open -a " .. shellQuote(appConfig.appName),
        true
    )

    return status == true
end

local function openChatGptAndPaste(prompt, copiedText)
    local launched = launchOrFocusApp(config.chatGpt)

    if not launched then
        if config.chatGpt.browserFallbackEnabled then
            alert("Translator: ChatGPT app not found, opening browser")

            openUrlAndPaste(
                config.chatGpt.browserFallbackUrl,
                config.chatGpt.browserFallbackDelay,
                prompt,
                copiedText
            )

            return
        end

        alert("Translator: ChatGPT app not found")
        finishProcessing()
        return
    end

    hs.timer.doAfter(config.chatGpt.openDelay, function()
        -- Important:
        -- Do NOT press Option+Space here.
        -- It may be captured by Gemini or another app.
        -- Cmd+N should create a new ChatGPT chat in the ChatGPT app.
        hs.eventtap.keyStroke({ "cmd" }, "n", 0)

        hs.timer.doAfter(config.chatGpt.newChatDelay, function()
            pastePrompt(prompt, copiedText)
        end)
    end)
end

local function openGeminiAndPaste(prompt, copiedText)
    local launched = launchOrFocusApp(config.gemini)

    if launched then
        hs.timer.doAfter(config.gemini.appOpenDelay, function()
            pastePrompt(prompt, copiedText)
        end)

        return
    end

    if config.gemini.browserFallbackEnabled then
        alert("Translator: Gemini app not found, opening browser")

        openUrlAndPaste(
            config.gemini.webUrl,
            config.gemini.webOpenDelay,
            prompt,
            copiedText
        )

        return
    end

    alert("Translator: Gemini app not found")
    finishProcessing()
end

local function openProviderAndPaste(prompt, copiedText)
    if config.activeProvider == "gemini" then
        openGeminiAndPaste(prompt, copiedText)
        return
    end

    openChatGptAndPaste(prompt, copiedText)
end

local function processDoubleCopy()
    local copiedText = getClipboardText()

    if copiedText == nil or trim(copiedText) == "" then
        alert("Translator: clipboard is empty")
        finishProcessing()
        return
    end

    if config.maxClipboardBytes ~= nil and #copiedText > config.maxClipboardBytes then
        alert("Translator: copied text is too large: " .. tostring(#copiedText) .. " bytes")
        finishProcessing()
        return
    end

    local prompt = buildTranslationPrompt(copiedText)

    openProviderAndPaste(prompt, copiedText)
end

local function handleCopyTap()
    local now = hs.timer.secondsSinceEpoch()
    local isDoubleTap = now - state.lastCopyTapAt <= config.doubleTapInterval

    if isDoubleTap then
        state.lastCopyTapAt = 0
        state.isProcessing = true

        -- Let the second Cmd+C reach the active app and update clipboard first.
        hs.timer.doAfter(config.copyReadDelay, function()
            processDoubleCopy()
        end)

        return
    end

    state.lastCopyTapAt = now
end

local function startEventTap()
    if state.eventTap ~= nil then
        state.eventTap:stop()
        state.eventTap = nil
    end

    state.eventTap = hs.eventtap.new({ hs.eventtap.event.types.keyDown }, function(event)
        if state.isProcessing then
            return false
        end

        if isCommandC(event) then
            handleCopyTap()
        end

        -- false = do not block normal Cmd+C.
        return false
    end)

    state.eventTap:start()
end

local function getActiveProviderLabel()
    return providerLabels[config.activeProvider] or "Unknown"
end

local function setActiveProvider(provider)
    if providerLabels[provider] == nil then
        alert("Translator: unknown provider: " .. tostring(provider))
        return
    end

    config.activeProvider = provider
    hs.settings.set("translator_active_provider", provider)

    if updateMenu ~= nil then
        updateMenu()
    end

    alert("Translator provider: " .. providerLabels[provider])
end

local function toggleAutoSubmit()
    config.submitAutomatically = not config.submitAutomatically
    hs.settings.set("translator_submit_automatically", config.submitAutomatically)

    if updateMenu ~= nil then
        updateMenu()
    end

    alert("Translator auto-submit: " .. tostring(config.submitAutomatically))
end

local function toggleRestoreClipboard()
    config.restoreClipboardAfterPaste = not config.restoreClipboardAfterPaste
    hs.settings.set("translator_restore_clipboard", config.restoreClipboardAfterPaste)

    if updateMenu ~= nil then
        updateMenu()
    end

    alert("Translator restore clipboard: " .. tostring(config.restoreClipboardAfterPaste))
end

local function buildMenuItems()
    return {
        {
            title = "Provider: " .. getActiveProviderLabel(),
            disabled = true
        },
        {
            title = "-"
        },
        {
            title = "ChatGPT",
            checked = config.activeProvider == "chatgpt",
            fn = function()
                setActiveProvider("chatgpt")
            end
        },
        {
            title = "Gemini",
            checked = config.activeProvider == "gemini",
            fn = function()
                setActiveProvider("gemini")
            end
        },
        {
            title = "-"
        },
        {
            title = config.submitAutomatically and "Auto-submit: ON" or "Auto-submit: OFF",
            fn = function()
                toggleAutoSubmit()
            end
        },
        {
            title = config.restoreClipboardAfterPaste and "Restore clipboard: ON" or "Restore clipboard: OFF",
            fn = function()
                toggleRestoreClipboard()
            end
        },
        {
            title = "-"
        },
        {
            title = "Reload Hammerspoon config",
            fn = function()
                hs.reload()
            end
        }
    }
end

updateMenu = function()
    if state.menu == nil then
        return
    end

    local title = "AI"

    if config.activeProvider == "chatgpt" then
        title = "GPT"
    elseif config.activeProvider == "gemini" then
        title = "Gemini"
    end

    state.menu:setTitle(title)
    state.menu:setTooltip("Cmd+C+C translator: " .. getActiveProviderLabel())
    state.menu:setMenu(buildMenuItems())
end

local function restoreSettings()
    local savedProvider = hs.settings.get("translator_active_provider")

    if type(savedProvider) == "string" and providerLabels[savedProvider] ~= nil then
        config.activeProvider = savedProvider
    end

    local savedAutoSubmit = hs.settings.get("translator_submit_automatically")

    if type(savedAutoSubmit) == "boolean" then
        config.submitAutomatically = savedAutoSubmit
    end

    local savedRestoreClipboard = hs.settings.get("translator_restore_clipboard")

    if type(savedRestoreClipboard) == "boolean" then
        config.restoreClipboardAfterPaste = savedRestoreClipboard
    end
end

local function startMenu()
    state.menu = hs.menubar.new()

    if state.menu == nil then
        return
    end

    updateMenu()
end

restoreSettings()
startEventTap()
startMenu()

alert("Translator loaded: Cmd+C+C → " .. getActiveProviderLabel())