diff --git a/src/ai_typewriter/clipboard_capture.py b/src/ai_typewriter/clipboard_capture.py
index b12ea37..626f827 100644
--- a/src/ai_typewriter/clipboard_capture.py
+++ b/src/ai_typewriter/clipboard_capture.py
@@ -1,29 +1,13 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-import time
-
-import keyboard
 import pyperclip
 
 
+def capture_clipboard() -> str:
+    """Return the current clipboard text without modifying it."""
+    return pyperclip.paste() or ""
+
+
+# Backward-compatible alias for older imports/tests.
 def capture_selection(copy_wait_seconds: float = 1.0, restore_clipboard: bool = True) -> str:
-    previous = pyperclip.paste()
-    keyboard.send("ctrl+c")
-
-    deadline = time.monotonic() + max(copy_wait_seconds, 0.05)
-    captured = previous
-    while time.monotonic() < deadline:
-        current = pyperclip.paste()
-        if current != previous:
-            captured = current
-            break
-        time.sleep(0.03)
-    else:
-        captured = pyperclip.paste()
-
-    if restore_clipboard:
-        try:
-            pyperclip.copy(previous)
-        except pyperclip.PyperclipException:
-            pass
-    return captured or ""
+    return capture_clipboard()