Hub/Portal (automatic, works everywhere)
This is the normal way Clipshot works.
If two devices share the same:
- Hub Portal URL
- Group Token
then Clipshot Portal helps them discover each other automatically.
Best for:
- home + office + laptop combinations
- remote servers
- devices on different networks
Pair Code (6-digit, works everywhere)
A 6-digit numeric pair code is the easiest way to connect two devices. No account required — the first pair automatically creates a local group identity.
Flow:
- On device A:
clipshot pair→ shows code like482 917 - On device B:
clipshot pair 482917 - Both devices display 4 confirmation digits — compare them to verify no MITM
- Done — devices sync automatically
The pair flow uses the fastest available transport automatically:
- Portal relay (works across the internet, no account required for pairing itself)
- mDNS (same LAN, works without internet)
Best for:
- any first-time setup
- adding devices across different networks
- using the one-line installer (
--code=482917) - headless servers (same LAN, Tailscale, or any routable network)
Share Link (clipshot://)
A clipshot:// link is a shareable connection link.
Typical flow:
- Generate it with
clipshot share-uri. - On another device, run
clipshot add-uri 'clipshot://...'or open Peers → Add Device and enter the URI. - The devices are connected.
Local Network Scan (mDNS, LAN only)
Clipshot scans the local network for nearby devices using mDNS (_clipshot._tcp.local.).
Automatic mode: When auto_discover=true and connected peers < free limit, the daemon scans every 60 seconds and auto-adds discovered peers.
Manual mode: In the GUI, click the Discover button on the Peers page to trigger an immediate LAN scan.
Best for:
- quick local setup
- devices on the same Wi‑Fi or Ethernet network
Manual Address
If you already know a device address, add it manually.
Use this when:
- you have an
iroh://address - you know the device IP or hostname
- the node requires a password
Comparison table
| Method | Best for | Internet needed | Account needed | What you enter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hub/Portal | automatic discovery | Yes | Optional | nothing after setup |
| Pair Code | any new device | Best with; mDNS fallback | No | 6-digit code (482917) |
| Share Link | advanced sharing | Usually | No | clipshot://... |
| Local Network Scan | same LAN | No | No | just click Scan (auto every 60s) |
| Manual Address | expert/manual setup | No | No | address + optional password |