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Spectacle is KDE Plasma’s built-in equivalent of Windows Snipping Tool. It captures the entire desktop, a selected monitor, the active window, a window under the pointer, or a rectangular region. You can delay a capture for menus, include or exclude the pointer and window decorations, annotate the result, copy it to the clipboard, save it, print it, or open it in another image application. The exact shortcuts depend on your Plasma release and key bindings, but the current handbook documents Print Screen and several Meta-plus-Print Screen combinations.
What is the Snipping Tool in KDE Plasma?
KDE calls its screenshot utility Spectacle. KDE describes it as a simple desktop screenshot application. It is normally installed with Plasma and is the right tool when you need a quick screen grab rather than a separate Windows-style utility.
Spectacle handles four practical capture targets:
- Entire desktop: every visible screen in your desktop layout.
- Individual monitor: one physical display instead of the whole multi-monitor desktop.
- Active window: the application window that currently has focus.
- Rectangular region: drag around exactly the area you want.
Depending on your installed version, it can also target a window beneath the pointer. Treat the list as capability rather than a promise about one particular menu label: KDE’s interface and shortcuts can vary between Plasma versions and local configuration.
Take a screenshot with the keyboard
The current Spectacle Handbook documents these defaults:
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- 【1080P 60FPS Video Capture Card】 This HDMI game capture card is based on USB3.0 high speed transmission port, input resolution up to 4K@30HZ, output resolution up to 2K@30Hz or 1920×1080@60Hz. Type c and USB interface can meet most of the devices in daily life. Easily meet the online capture, real-time recording, online meetings, live gaming and other functions, so you have a better visual enjoyment. Note: For capture use only; requires capture software to function and is not intended for direct screen casting to a monitor or TV
- 【Ultra Low Latency Screen Sharing】 HDMI capture card is made of good quality aluminum alloy with strong heat dissipation, allowing you to enjoy ultra low latency while live gaming or video recording or live streaming, avoiding blue screens and lag. This HDMI to USBC capture card supports easy recording of good quality audio or HD video and transferring it to your computer or streaming platform, allowing you to record 60 fps HD video directly on your hard drive and real-time preview
- 【Plug and Play, Easy to Carry】 This HDMI 1080P video capture card does not require any additional drivers or external power supply, just plug and play for fast capture. The capture card is small and lightweight, so you can put it in your bag for emergencies, making it very portable for outdoor live streaming. It's also a great way to share content in game recording, video conference, video recorder and online teaching
- 【Wide Compatibility USB Capture Card】 Easily streams to Facebook, Youtube or Twitch. With the connection, this HDMI to USB C/3.0 video capture devices can be working on several Operating Systems and various software: Windows 7/ 8/ 10, Mac OS or above, Linux, Android, Laptop, Xbox One, PS3/PS4/PS5, Camera, DVDs, Set Top Box, Webcame, DSLR, Switch/Switch 2, TV BOX, HDTV, Potplayer/VLC, ZOOM, OBS Studio etc.
- 【Package Content & Note】 1x HD Audio Capture Card , 1x USB 3.0 to USB C Adapter (A-side 3.0, B-side 2.0), 1x user manual. Please note that you need to restart the OBS Studio software after the audio setup is complete, otherwise it will result in no sound output. When using an adapter, if the device is recognized as USB 2.0, try using the other side with the USB-C port. Simply flip the capture card and reconnect it to be recognized as USB 3.0
| Action | Shortcut | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Open Spectacle | Print Screen | Launches the screenshot utility. |
| Active window | Meta + Print Screen | Captures the focused window. |
| Entire desktop | Shift + Print Screen | Captures the desktop. |
| Rectangular region | Meta + Shift + Print Screen | Lets you drag a selection. |
Meta normally means the Super or Windows key. If a shortcut does nothing, another global shortcut may own it, your keyboard may label the key differently, or your distribution may ship a different Spectacle version.
Change or verify a shortcut
- Open System Settings.
- Choose Keyboard and then Shortcuts (the exact category can vary slightly by Plasma release).
- Search for Spectacle or Screenshot.
- Inspect the action you want, assign an unused key combination, and apply the change.
You can always launch Spectacle from the application launcher if a keyboard binding is unavailable.
Capture a menu, tooltip or timed interface
Menus often close as soon as you press a key. Open Spectacle first, choose the required capture mode, and set a delay before pressing the button that starts the capture. Use the delay to open a menu, expand a panel, or position the pointer.
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Rank #2
- 【1080P HD High Quality】Capture resolution up to 1080p for video source and it is ideal for all HDMI devices such as PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Wii U, DVDs, DSLR, Camera, Security Camera and set top box. Note: Video input supports 4K30/60Hz and 1080p120/144Hz. Does not support 4K120Hz/144Hz. Output supports up to 2K30Hz.
- 【Plug and Play】No driver or external power supply required, true PnP. Once plugged in, the device is identified automatically as a webcam. Detect input and adjust output automatically. Won't occupy CPU, optional audio capture. No freeze with correct setting.
- 【Compatible with Multiple Systems】suitable for Windows and Mac OS. High speed USB 3.0 technology and superior low latency technology makes it easier for you to transmit live streaming to Twitch, Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, OBS, Potplayer and VLC.
- 【HDMI LOOP-OUT】Based on the high-speed USB 3.0 technology, it can capture one single channel HD HDMI video signal. There is no delay when you are playing game live.
- 【Support Mic-in for Commentary】Rybozen capture card has microphone input and you can use it to add external commentary when playing a game. Please note: it only accepts 3.5mm TRS standard microphone headset.
Save, copy, print and open the image
After capture, Spectacle presents the image and actions for handling it:
- Save: choose a filename and location using the normal file dialog.
- Copy image: place the pixels on the clipboard for pasting into a document, issue tracker or chat.
- Copy location: copy the saved file’s path or location rather than the image data.
- Print: send the capture to a configured printer.
- Open with another application: hand the image to an application associated with PNG files. That editor is not bundled with Spectacle.
Save a lossless PNG when text must remain sharp. Use another format only when your workflow specifically requires it or when a smaller file is more important than lossless detail.
Annotate a screenshot in Spectacle
Spectacle’s annotation tools let you explain a capture before sharing it. The handbook lists arrows, a freehand pen, markers, text boxes, numbered labels and smileys. Effects include a shadow, grayscale and a border. A useful bug-report sequence is:
- Capture the smallest area that proves the problem.
- Use an arrow or numbered label to identify the control.
- Add a short text box with the observed result.
- Save an untouched original before applying destructive edits if you may need the unmarked image later.
Annotations are drawn on the captured image. They do not change the application that was photographed.
Rank #3
- AV TO USB Converter: Capture videos and audios from VHS, VCR, Hi8, DV tapes to a PC, with the help of our USB Video Converter. Save room while digitizing your favorite old memories
- Quality Capture Card: Our USB Video Capture Card converting anolog RCA composite input into HD 720P USB output and capturing audio without any sound card. Advanced signal processing technology provides you with great precision, colors, resolutions, and details.
- Plug and Play: Automatically install the driver once you hook up this RCA to USB Converter to a PC. No external power is needed. User-friendly and easy to operate
- Wide Compatibility: The Video Capture Card can work with video devices with RCA connector or S-Video connector, such as VHS, VCR, Hi8, camcorder, compatible with Windows and Mac OS. Support video formats like NTSC, PAL, and support brightness, contrast, hue, and saturation control
- Note: The Video Converter is used with acquisition software. We recommend OBS Studio or PotPlayer for Windows, and QuickTime Player for Mac. They can be downloaded for free online. Please operate according to the steps in User Manual or contact us if you have any questions
Using Spectacle from the command line
Spectacle includes command-line options, including a background mode suitable for scripts. Run spectacle --help on your installation to see the options exposed by your version; names and available capture modes can change between releases. A script should write to an explicit path, check the command’s exit status, and avoid overwriting an existing file unless that is intentional.
For unattended jobs, account for these conditions:
- The graphical session must be available to the process. A command launched from a headless SSH session may not have access to the display or permission to capture it.
- Wayland and X11 security policies can affect what a desktop application is allowed to capture.
- A window may not be ready when the command runs; a delay or a separate readiness check is safer than an immediate capture.
- Use absolute paths in scheduled jobs and verify that the destination directory exists.
Text recognition in Plasma 6.6
KDE’s Plasma 6.6 announcement, dated 2026-02-17, says Spectacle can recognize and extract text from scanned images. This is version-dependent. If the feature is missing, check your Plasma and Spectacle versions before changing configuration; older releases do not necessarily include it.
Choosing the right capture mode
| Need | Best mode | Useful settings |
|---|---|---|
| Show everything across displays | Entire desktop | Review monitor arrangement and pointer inclusion. |
| Document one screen in a multi-monitor setup | Individual monitor | Confirm the selected monitor before capturing. |
| Report an application problem | Active window | Include decorations when the window identity matters. |
| Explain one control or dialog | Rectangular region | Use annotations and exclude unrelated desktop content. |
| Capture a menu or tooltip | Any relevant mode with delay or on-click | Set the delay, then open the interface. |
Common problems and fixes
Print Screen opens nothing
Launch Spectacle from the application menu. Then inspect the System Settings shortcut page for a conflict or an unassigned action. Laptop firmware may also require an Fn key for Print Screen.
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Give the intended window focus immediately before using the active-window shortcut. If you need a window that is not focused, use the window-under-pointer or region mode available in your version.
Rank #4
- 【4K HDMI Input, 2K@30Hz Recording】Powered by a true USB 3.0 high-speed interface, the capture card supports up to 4K@30Hz HDMI input and records at 2K@30Hz or 1080P@60Hz. Perfect for gamers, streamers, and professionals who need crisp, smooth video for live streaming, gameplay recording, or online meetings.
- 【Ultra Low Latency Screen Sharing】Built with a premium aluminum alloy shell and advanced chipset for stable heat dissipation, ensuring ultra-low latency transmission. Capture high-quality video and dual-channel audio in real time—no lag, no frame drop—ideal for Twitch, YouTube, or OBS streaming.
- 【Easy Plug and Play, Compact & Portable】No driver or external power required—just plug and play via USB 3.0 or Type-C connection to your Windows or macOS computer. Lightweight and compact design makes it easy to carry for outdoor streaming, live shows, or mobile recording setups.
- 【Wide Compatibility & Multi-Device Support】Compatible with Windows 7 8 10 11, macOS, Linux,Android and supports most popular software such as OBS, Zoom, VLC, Twitch Studio, and more. Works seamlessly with PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch, DSLR cameras, TV boxes, and other HDMI-output devices for streaming to YouTube, Twitch, etc.
- 【What You Get】Includes: HDMI Capture Card, USB 3.0 to USB-C Adapter, User Manual. Tips: Make sure your tablet’s OTG function is enabled before connecting. Test your HDMI device with a monitor first to confirm video and audio output, then connect to the Video Capture Card for recording.
The menu disappears
Start Spectacle first and use a delay or on-click capture. Keep the pointer away from the menu item if pointer inclusion is enabled.
The screenshot is black or incomplete
Check whether the application uses protected video or a surface restricted by the display server. Test a normal desktop window; if that works, the limitation is probably imposed by the application or compositor rather than Spectacle’s save action.
Wayland behaves differently from X11
Display-server permissions and portal integration can change what a screenshot utility can see. Update Plasma and Spectacle through your distribution’s normal channels and review the permission prompt, if one appears.
OCR is unavailable
Confirm that you are running Plasma 6.6 or a release that includes the feature. KDE’s announcement establishes availability for Plasma 6.6; it does not make the function universal on older installations.
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Or skip the browser setup
If your goal is a repeatable website image rather than a local desktop capture, ScreenshotNeo is a website screenshot API and MCP server. It accepts a URL and returns PNG, JPEG, WebP or PDF. Before capture it accepts cookie and consent banners and removes more than 60 known consent platforms, newsletter popups and chat widgets; each cleanup step can be disabled. Bot checks, CAPTCHAs, blank pages, timeouts, failed loads and cache hits cost nothing, and response headers report the page verdict and billing status.
One request is enough:
curl -G "https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot" -d access_key=YOUR_API_KEY --data-urlencode url=https://stripe.com -o shot.webpSee the complete parameter reference in the ScreenshotNeo documentation. Equivalent examples:
import requests
r = requests.get("https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot", params={"access_key": "YOUR_API_KEY", "url": "https://stripe.com"}, timeout=90)
open("shot.webp", "wb").write(r.content)const q = new URLSearchParams({ access_key: 'YOUR_API_KEY', url: 'https://stripe.com' });
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Practical workflow for KDE users
- Choose Spectacle’s target: desktop, monitor, window or region.
- Set a delay or on-click trigger if the interface must be opened first.
- Decide on pointer and decoration visibility.
- Capture, annotate only what the reader needs, and save the original when it may be useful later.
- Copy the image or its location, print it, or open it in an installed editor.
- For recurring website captures, move the job to an API such as ScreenshotNeo instead of keeping a graphical session running.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Spectacle installed on every Linux desktop?
No. Spectacle is KDE’s application and is normally present with KDE Plasma, but another desktop environment or a minimal installation may require you to install it through your distribution’s package manager.
Can Spectacle record video?
The functions covered here are still-image screenshots. Use a dedicated screen recorder when you need motion or audio.
Where are screenshots saved automatically?
The destination and filename pattern are controlled by Spectacle’s save settings and your distribution’s configuration. Check the save dialog or Spectacle settings rather than assuming one universal folder.
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Quick Recap
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