diff --git a/.config/helix/config.toml b/.config/helix/config.toml
index 0cf6382d..b5e5d305 100644
--- a/.config/helix/config.toml
+++ b/.config/helix/config.toml
@@ -105,6 +105,29 @@ n = "scroll_down"
 j = "search_next"
 J = "search_prev"
 
+[keys.normal.space.p]
+# force inline paste
+p = ':append-output ~/.config/helix/scripts/paste.py'
+P = ':insert-output ~/.config/helix/scripts/paste.py'
+# force linewise paste
+"]" = [
+  "ensure_selections_forward",
+  "add_newline_below",
+  "move_line_down",
+  ":insert-output ~/.config/helix/scripts/paste.py",
+]
+"[" = [
+  "ensure_selections_forward",
+  "flip_selections",
+  "add_newline_above",
+  "move_line_up",
+  ":insert-output ~/.config/helix/scripts/paste.py",
+]
+c = '''
+:append-output sh -c clipcat-menu --finder custom --custom-finder-program-path fuzzel --custom-finder-arguments=--dmenu,--placeholder=Clipboard --config <(printf "[log]\nemit_stdout = true\n") | grep -q 'Nothing is selected' && exit 1 || wl-paste'''
+C = '''
+:insert-output sh -c clipcat-menu --finder custom --custom-finder-program-path fuzzel --custom-finder-arguments=--dmenu,--placeholder=Clipboard --config <(printf "[log]\nemit_stdout = true\n") | grep -q 'Nothing is selected' && exit 1 || wl-paste'''
+
 [keys.normal]
 tab = "trim_selections"
 # swap select_mode and regex keys
@@ -242,10 +265,6 @@ space = [
 
 # insert markdown toc :)
 
-p = '''
-:append-output clipcat-menu --finder custom --custom-finder-program-path fuzzel --custom-finder-arguments=--dmenu,--placeholder=Clipboard --config <(printf "[log]\nemit_stdout = true\n") | grep -q 'Nothing is selected' && exit 1 || wl-paste'''
-P = '''
-:insert-output clipcat-menu --finder custom --custom-finder-program-path fuzzel --custom-finder-arguments=--dmenu,--placeholder=Clipboard --config <(printf "[log]\nemit_stdout = true\n") | grep -q 'Nothing is selected' && exit 1 || wl-paste'''
 x = ":bc"
 X = ':sh %{buffer_name}'
 
diff --git a/.config/helix/scripts/paste.py b/.config/helix/scripts/paste.py
index 60d5971e..4d30a319 100755
--- a/.config/helix/scripts/paste.py
+++ b/.config/helix/scripts/paste.py
@@ -1,14 +1,7 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env python
 import subprocess
-import sys
 
-# tiny script to force inline vs. linewise paste in Helix
+# tiny script to strip only trailing newlines from clipboard
 
-cmd = sys.argv[1]
 contents = subprocess.check_output(["wl-paste", "-n"], text=True)
-if cmd == "inline":
-    print(contents.rstrip("\n"), end="")
-elif cmd == "linewise":
-    if contents[-1] != "\n":
-        contents += "\n"
-    print(contents, end="")
+print(contents.rstrip("\n"), end="")