Vault, Reference, and Paste: Copycat's three run modes
Copycat offers three run modes — Vault, Reference, and Paste — each designed for a different delivery workflow so you always have the right tool.
Copycat supports three distinct run modes. Before you start a copy run, you choose the mode that matches your current workflow: delivering photos to a client via an encrypted cloud vault, copying files by matching against a reference folder, or pasting in a list of filenames from a selection someone sent you. Each mode indexes your source folder in the same way; what changes is how the target file list is determined.
Vault
Reference
Paste
Vault mode is the full client-delivery workflow. Copycat generates compressed JPEG previews of your images, uploads them to Google Drive, and publishes an encrypted index to the cloud. Your client receives a short link and a passphrase, reviews the previews in their browser, and submits their selections. You then sync those selections back into Copycat and copy the matching RAW files to your destination folder.This is the right mode when you want a polished, secure delivery experience without sending full-resolution files.
Vault mode requires an active Copycat license. Trial licenses work for the duration of the trial period. See Licensing and trial for details.
Reference mode is an offline matching workflow. You point Copycat at a source folder containing your RAW files, then provide a second reference folder (or a list of filenames). Copycat indexes both locations and copies every file from the source that has a matching name in the reference set.Use this mode when a colleague or editing system has already curated a folder of selects — for example, a folder of exported JPEGs or renamed files — and you need to pull the matching RAWs from a larger shoot.
Paste mode lets you supply a flat list of filenames — typed, pasted from a CSV, or copied from an email — and Copycat finds those files in your source folder and copies them to the destination.Use this mode for quick runs when someone sends you a selection list outside of the vault workflow: a text file, a spreadsheet column, or a message with filenames in it.
Use when: you need to deliver previews to a client and collect their picks online.Requires: active license, Google Drive sign-in.Output: a shareable link + passphrase; RAW files copied after client confirms.
Reference
Use when: you have a curated reference folder and want to extract the matching RAWs from a larger shoot.Requires: source folder + reference folder or filename list.Output: matching RAW files copied to your destination folder.
Paste
Use when: someone sent you a filename list (CSV, text, or email) and you want to pull those files quickly.Requires: source folder + pasted filename list.Output: matching files copied to your destination folder.
You can switch between modes at any time from the mode selector at the top of the Copycat window. Your source and destination folder choices are remembered across sessions.
