Frequently asked questions
What is WhipNode?
WhipNode is a context relay for AI agents. You upload a screenshot, file, or document, and WhipNode converts it into structured outputs — JSON, Markdown, YAML, plain text, and a prompt pack — that AI agents can fetch directly via URL. It bridges the gap between visual human context and machine-readable agent input.
How do I send a screenshot to Claude Code?
Paste or upload your screenshot at whipnode.com. WhipNode extracts the text via OCR and generates a prompt pack URL. Paste that URL into Claude Code — it will fetch the structured context including the extracted text, file metadata, and your instructions. This is the fastest way to get visual context into a terminal-based AI coding agent.
Can I paste an image into Claude Code?
Claude Code runs in a terminal and can't directly receive pasted images. WhipNode solves this: paste the image at whipnode.com, copy the output URL, and paste that URL into Claude Code. Claude fetches the structured context — including OCR-extracted text — and can act on it immediately.
What file types does WhipNode support?
WhipNode supports PNG, JPEG, WebP (with OCR text extraction), PDF, plain text, Markdown, JSON, and ZIP files. Maximum upload size is 25 MB on the free tier. Images are automatically processed with OCR to extract readable text.
What output formats does WhipNode provide?
Every upload generates five formats: JSON (canonical machine format with full metadata), Markdown (human-readable, LLM-friendly), YAML (automation-friendly), plain text (universal fallback), and a prompt pack (optimized for chat-based AI agents like Claude Code and Codex). Each format is served at its own URL.
What is a prompt pack?
A prompt pack is a specially formatted Markdown document optimized for AI agent consumption. It includes a context summary, your task instructions, uploaded file metadata with download links, and OCR-extracted text — all structured so an agent can parse and act on the context without ambiguity.
Can AI agents access WhipNode directly?
Yes. Any agent that can make HTTP requests can fetch WhipNode outputs. Read access requires no authentication — just the item URL. For programmatic uploads, agents use the API with an X-API-Key header. The JSON and prompt pack formats are designed specifically for agent consumption.
How long are uploads stored?
Uploads expire and are permanently deleted after 24 hours on the free tier. Pro plans support up to 7 days, and Team plans up to 30 days. After expiration, all file data and derived outputs are deleted from storage within 15 minutes. WhipNode is not permanent storage.
Is WhipNode free?
Yes, the free tier includes 50 uploads per day, 25 MB per upload, OCR text extraction, and all five output formats. No account required for browser uploads. Paid plans add higher limits, API access for agents, longer retention, and upload history.
Does WhipNode store my data permanently?
No. All uploaded files, OCR text, and derived outputs are permanently deleted when the upload expires (default 24 hours). WhipNode is designed for temporary context relay, not permanent storage. Hashed metadata may be retained for abuse prevention.
What is OCR and how does WhipNode use it?
OCR (Optical Character Recognition) extracts readable text from images and PDFs. When you upload a screenshot, WhipNode runs OCR to pull out the text content — error messages, code snippets, UI labels — and includes it in all output formats. This is what makes screenshots usable by AI agents that can't see images.
Is WhipNode a pastebin alternative?
WhipNode serves a different purpose than Pastebin. Where Pastebin stores text for humans to read, WhipNode converts files and screenshots into structured outputs for AI agents to consume. It supports images (with OCR), multiple file types, five output formats, and an API — capabilities traditional pastebins don't offer.
Is WhipNode open source?
The WhipNode protocol, reference server, renderers, and documentation are open source under AGPL-3.0. You can self-host the core server for your own agent workflows. The hosted service at whipnode.com adds managed OCR, content moderation, rate limiting, and priority processing.
How does WhipNode handle content moderation?
Uploaded images are automatically scanned for prohibited content including photos of people, nudity, and violence. Flagged uploads are blocked and not served. WhipNode is designed for technical content — screenshots, documents, code, and logs — not personal photos.
What is the WhipNode protocol?
The WhipNode protocol is a versioned specification for temporary agent-readable context. Each item includes a protocol_version field, canonical JSON representation, file metadata, OCR results, moderation status, and links to all output formats. The protocol is designed to be stable and predictable so agents can parse outputs without special-casing.
How do I use WhipNode with Codex or other AI agents?
Upload your context at whipnode.com or via the API (POST /api/v1/items). Pass the JSON or prompt pack URL to your agent. Any agent that can make HTTP GET requests can consume WhipNode outputs — no SDK or special integration required. The API returns all format URLs in the creation response.