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Screenshot Workflow

Capture, annotate, and share screenshots using mahpastes.

The Complete Workflow​

Capture → Paste → Annotate → Share

This tutorial covers each step in detail.

Step 1: Capture a Screenshot​

Use your system's screenshot tools:

macOS​

ShortcutAction
Cmd + Shift + 3Full screen
Cmd + Shift + 4Selection
Cmd + Shift + 5Screenshot toolbar
Cmd + Shift + 4 + SpaceWindow

Tip: Hold Ctrl while taking the screenshot to copy to clipboard instead of saving to file.

Windows​

ShortcutAction
Win + Shift + SSnipping Tool
PrtScFull screen to clipboard
Alt + PrtScActive window

Linux​

Varies by desktop environment. Common options:

  • gnome-screenshot
  • flameshot
  • PrtSc key

Step 2: Import to mahpastes​

From Clipboard​

  1. Take screenshot to clipboard
  2. Focus mahpastes window
  3. Press Cmd/Ctrl + V

The screenshot appears in your gallery.

From File​

If your screenshot was saved to disk:

  1. Drag the file from Finder/Explorer
  2. Drop onto mahpastes window

Or set up a Watch Folder for automatic import.

Step 3: Annotate the Screenshot​

Make your screenshot more useful with annotations.

Open the Editor​

  1. Find your screenshot in the gallery
  2. Open the clip menu (three dots) and select Edit
  3. The image editor opens
tip

Clicking an image preview opens the lightbox viewer, not the editor. To reach the editor, use the clip menu on the card or the Actions menu inside the lightbox.

Add Highlights​

Use rectangles to draw attention to specific areas:

  1. Click the Rectangle tool in the toolbar
  2. Choose a visible color (red works well)
  3. Draw a rectangle around the area of interest

Add Labels​

Explain what you're highlighting:

  1. Click the Text tool in the toolbar
  2. Click near your highlight
  3. Type your label and press Enter to confirm
  4. Use contrasting colors for visibility

Draw Arrows​

Point to specific elements:

  1. Click the Arrow tool in the toolbar (keyboard shortcut: W)
  2. Draw from label to target
  3. The arrowhead is added automatically

Example: Bug Report Screenshot​

  1. Capture the bug state
  2. Red rectangle around the error
  3. Text label explaining the issue
  4. Arrow pointing to the specific element
  5. Save

Step 4: Share the Screenshot​

Copy to Clipboard​

  1. Open the clip menu (three dots), hover over Copy, and click Contents or File
  2. Paste into your destination (Slack, email, etc.)

Copy Path (for Terminal/CLI)​

  1. Open the clip menu (three dots), hover over Copy, and click Path
  2. mahpastes creates a temp file and copies its path to clipboard
  3. Use in terminal commands:
# Open it locally (macOS example)
open "$(pbpaste)"

# Copy it somewhere permanent
cp "$(pbpaste)" ~/Desktop/bug-screenshot.png

# Upload somewhere
curl -F "file=@$(pbpaste)" https://upload.example.com

If you are not on macOS, replace pbpaste with your platform's clipboard command.

Save to Disk​

  1. Open the clip menu (three dots) and select Save
  2. Choose a save location in the native file dialog
  3. Share the file as needed

Automated Screenshot Workflow​

Set up automatic import for zero-friction capture.

Configure Watch Folder​

  1. Open the menu drawer and click the Watch tab
  2. Click Add Folder and select your screenshots folder:
    • macOS: ~/Desktop or custom location
    • Windows: Often Pictures/Screenshots
    • Linux: Varies by tool
  3. Set Filter Mode to Presets and check Images
  4. Leave Auto-Archive unchecked (keep in main gallery)
  5. Click Save

The Result​

Now:

  1. Take screenshot (saves to disk)
  2. mahpastes auto-imports it
  3. Open mahpastes and annotate
  4. Share

No manual paste required.

Tips for Better Screenshots​

Before Capturing​

  • Close unnecessary windows
  • Hide sensitive information
  • Use appropriate zoom level
  • Consider dark/light mode

Annotation Tips​

  • Use bright, contrasting colors
  • Keep text brief
  • Don't over-annotate
  • Use consistent styling

For Bug Reports​

Include:

  1. The error/issue clearly visible
  2. Relevant context (browser, app state)
  3. Steps or state leading to the issue
  4. Any error messages

For Documentation​

Include:

  1. Clean, uncluttered UI
  2. Clear labels for referenced elements
  3. Appropriate window size
  4. Consistent styling across screenshots

Example Workflows​

Customer Support​

  1. Customer describes issue
  2. You reproduce and screenshot
  3. Annotate with circles and arrows
  4. Add text explaining the solution
  5. Copy and paste into support response

Code Review​

  1. Screenshot the code/UI in question
  2. Circle the problematic area
  3. Add comments explaining concerns
  4. Share in review comments

Design Feedback​

  1. Screenshot the design
  2. Mark areas needing changes
  3. Add specific suggestions
  4. Attach to design review