diff --git a/book/src/keymap.md b/book/src/keymap.md
index 153f3b6483f1..5dc467f28498 100644
--- a/book/src/keymap.md
+++ b/book/src/keymap.md
@@ -291,7 +291,7 @@ This layer is a kludge of mappings, mostly pickers.
 | `w`     | Enter [window mode](#window-mode)                                       | N/A                                        |
 | `p`     | Paste system clipboard after selections                                 | `paste_clipboard_after`                    |
 | `P`     | Paste system clipboard before selections                                | `paste_clipboard_before`                   |
-| `y`     | Join and yank selections to clipboard                                   | `yank_joined_to_clipboard`                 |
+| `y`     | Yank selections to clipboard                                            | `yank_to_clipboard`                        |
 | `Y`     | Yank main selection to clipboard                                        | `yank_main_selection_to_clipboard`         |
 | `R`     | Replace selections by clipboard contents                                | `replace_selections_with_clipboard`        |
 | `/`     | Global search in workspace folder                                       | `global_search`                            |
diff --git a/book/src/usage.md b/book/src/usage.md
index 3c48e30652e3..e392e5e67158 100644
--- a/book/src/usage.md
+++ b/book/src/usage.md
@@ -37,19 +37,35 @@ If a register is selected before invoking a change or delete command, the select
 - `"hc` - Store the selection in register `h` and then change it (delete and enter insert mode).
 - `"md` - Store the selection in register `m` and delete it.
 
-### Special registers
+### Default registers
+
+Commands that use registers, like yank (`y`), use a default register if none is specified.
+These registers are used as defaults:
 
 | Register character | Contains              |
 | ---                | ---                   |
 | `/`                | Last search           |
 | `:`                | Last executed command |
 | `"`                | Last yanked text      |
-| `_`                | Black hole            |
+| `@`                | Last recorded macro   |
 
-The system clipboard is not directly supported by a special register. Instead, special commands and keybindings are provided. Refer to the
-[key map](keymap.md#space-mode) for more details.
+### Special registers
 
-The black hole register is a no-op register, meaning that no data will be read or written to it.
+Some registers have special behavior when read from and written to.
+
+| Register character | When read              | When written             |
+| ---                | ---                    | ---                      |
+| `_`                | No values are returned | All values are discarded |
+| `#`                | Selection indices (first selection is `1`, second is `2`, etc.) | This register is not writable |
+| `.`                | Contents of the current selections | This register is not writable |
+| `%`                | Name of the current file | This register is not writable |
+| `*`                | Reads from the system clipboard | Joins and yanks to the system clipboard |
+| `+`                | Reads from the primary clipboard | Joins and yanks to the primary clipboard |
+
+When yanking multiple selections to the clipboard registers, the selections
+are joined with newlines. Pasting from these registers will paste multiple
+selections if the clipboard was last yanked to by the Helix session. Otherwise
+the clipboard contents are pasted as one selection.
 
 ## Surround
 
diff --git a/helix-core/src/lib.rs b/helix-core/src/lib.rs
index e1b5a1a12daa..9a512eae8158 100644
--- a/helix-core/src/lib.rs
+++ b/helix-core/src/lib.rs
@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@ pub mod movement;
 pub mod object;
 pub mod path;
 mod position;
-pub mod register;
 pub mod search;
 pub mod selection;
 pub mod shellwords;
diff --git a/helix-core/src/register.rs b/helix-core/src/register.rs
deleted file mode 100644
index df68a75943e6..000000000000
--- a/helix-core/src/register.rs
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,89 +0,0 @@
-use std::collections::HashMap;
-
-#[derive(Debug)]
-pub struct Register {
-    name: char,
-    values: Vec<String>,
-}
-
-impl Register {
-    pub const fn new(name: char) -> Self {
-        Self {
-            name,
-            values: Vec::new(),
-        }
-    }
-
-    pub fn new_with_values(name: char, values: Vec<String>) -> Self {
-        Self { name, values }
-    }
-
-    pub const fn name(&self) -> char {
-        self.name
-    }
-
-    pub fn read(&self) -> &[String] {
-        &self.values
-    }
-
-    pub fn write(&mut self, values: Vec<String>) {
-        self.values = values;
-    }
-
-    pub fn push(&mut self, value: String) {
-        self.values.push(value);
-    }
-}
-
-/// Currently just wraps a `HashMap` of `Register`s
-#[derive(Debug, Default)]
-pub struct Registers {
-    inner: HashMap<char, Register>,
-}
-
-impl Registers {
-    pub fn get(&self, name: char) -> Option<&Register> {
-        self.inner.get(&name)
-    }
-
-    pub fn read(&self, name: char) -> Option<&[String]> {
-        self.get(name).map(|reg| reg.read())
-    }
-
-    pub fn write(&mut self, name: char, values: Vec<String>) {
-        if name != '_' {
-            self.inner
-                .insert(name, Register::new_with_values(name, values));
-        }
-    }
-
-    pub fn push(&mut self, name: char, value: String) {
-        if name != '_' {
-            if let Some(r) = self.inner.get_mut(&name) {
-                r.push(value);
-            } else {
-                self.write(name, vec![value]);
-            }
-        }
-    }
-
-    pub fn first(&self, name: char) -> Option<&String> {
-        self.read(name).and_then(|entries| entries.first())
-    }
-
-    pub fn last(&self, name: char) -> Option<&String> {
-        self.read(name).and_then(|entries| entries.last())
-    }
-
-    pub fn inner(&self) -> &HashMap<char, Register> {
-        &self.inner
-    }
-
-    pub fn clear(&mut self) {
-        self.inner.clear();
-    }
-
-    pub fn remove(&mut self, name: char) -> Option<Register> {
-        self.inner.remove(&name)
-    }
-}
diff --git a/helix-core/src/selection.rs b/helix-core/src/selection.rs
index 9104c2099a42..c44685eeae84 100644
--- a/helix-core/src/selection.rs
+++ b/helix-core/src/selection.rs
@@ -630,11 +630,19 @@ impl Selection {
         self.transform(|range| Range::point(range.cursor(text)))
     }
 
-    pub fn fragments<'a>(&'a self, text: RopeSlice<'a>) -> impl Iterator<Item = Cow<str>> + 'a {
+    pub fn fragments<'a>(
+        &'a self,
+        text: RopeSlice<'a>,
+    ) -> impl DoubleEndedIterator<Item = Cow<'a, str>> + ExactSizeIterator<Item = Cow<str>> + 'a
+    {
         self.ranges.iter().map(move |range| range.fragment(text))
     }
 
-    pub fn slices<'a>(&'a self, text: RopeSlice<'a>) -> impl Iterator<Item = RopeSlice> + 'a {
+    pub fn slices<'a>(
+        &'a self,
+        text: RopeSlice<'a>,
+    ) -> impl DoubleEndedIterator<Item = RopeSlice<'a>> + ExactSizeIterator<Item = RopeSlice<'a>> + 'a
+    {
         self.ranges.iter().map(move |range| range.slice(text))
     }
 
diff --git a/helix-term/src/commands.rs b/helix-term/src/commands.rs
index 58c172968bb6..bf60ad71a468 100644
--- a/helix-term/src/commands.rs
+++ b/helix-term/src/commands.rs
@@ -32,7 +32,6 @@ use helix_core::{
     RopeReader, RopeSlice, Selection, SmallVec, Tendril, Transaction,
 };
 use helix_view::{
-    clipboard::ClipboardType,
     document::{FormatterError, Mode, SCRATCH_BUFFER_NAME},
     editor::{Action, CompleteAction},
     info::Info,
@@ -376,6 +375,8 @@ impl MappableCommand {
         later, "Move forward in history",
         commit_undo_checkpoint, "Commit changes to new checkpoint",
         yank, "Yank selection",
+        yank_to_clipboard, "Yank selections to clipboard",
+        yank_to_primary_clipboard, "Yank selections to primary clipboard",
         yank_joined, "Join and yank selections",
         yank_joined_to_clipboard, "Join and yank selections to clipboard",
         yank_main_selection_to_clipboard, "Yank main selection to clipboard",
@@ -1847,11 +1848,11 @@ fn search_impl(
 
 fn search_completions(cx: &mut Context, reg: Option<char>) -> Vec<String> {
     let mut items = reg
-        .and_then(|reg| cx.editor.registers.get(reg))
-        .map_or(Vec::new(), |reg| reg.read().iter().take(200).collect());
+        .and_then(|reg| cx.editor.registers.read(reg, cx.editor))
+        .map_or(Vec::new(), |reg| reg.take(200).collect());
     items.sort_unstable();
     items.dedup();
-    items.into_iter().cloned().collect()
+    items.into_iter().map(|value| value.to_string()).collect()
 }
 
 fn search(cx: &mut Context) {
@@ -1908,11 +1909,11 @@ fn searcher(cx: &mut Context, direction: Direction) {
 
 fn search_next_or_prev_impl(cx: &mut Context, movement: Movement, direction: Direction) {
     let count = cx.count();
+    let register = cx.register.unwrap_or('/');
     let config = cx.editor.config();
     let scrolloff = config.scrolloff;
-    let (_, doc) = current!(cx.editor);
-    let registers = &cx.editor.registers;
-    if let Some(query) = registers.read('/').and_then(|query| query.last()) {
+    if let Some(query) = cx.editor.registers.first(register, cx.editor) {
+        let doc = doc!(cx.editor);
         let contents = doc.text().slice(..).to_string();
         let search_config = &config.search;
         let case_insensitive = if search_config.smart_case {
@@ -1921,7 +1922,7 @@ fn search_next_or_prev_impl(cx: &mut Context, movement: Movement, direction: Dir
             false
         };
         let wrap_around = search_config.wrap_around;
-        if let Ok(regex) = RegexBuilder::new(query)
+        if let Ok(regex) = RegexBuilder::new(&query)
             .case_insensitive(case_insensitive)
             .multi_line(true)
             .build()
@@ -1961,6 +1962,7 @@ fn extend_search_prev(cx: &mut Context) {
 }
 
 fn search_selection(cx: &mut Context) {
+    let register = cx.register.unwrap_or('/');
     let (view, doc) = current!(cx.editor);
     let contents = doc.text().slice(..);
 
@@ -1973,13 +1975,16 @@ fn search_selection(cx: &mut Context) {
         .collect::<Vec<_>>()
         .join("|");
 
-    let msg = format!("register '{}' set to '{}'", '/', &regex);
-    cx.editor.registers.push('/', regex);
-    cx.editor.set_status(msg);
+    let msg = format!("register '{}' set to '{}'", register, &regex);
+    match cx.editor.registers.push(register, regex) {
+        Ok(_) => cx.editor.set_status(msg),
+        Err(err) => cx.editor.set_error(err.to_string()),
+    }
 }
 
 fn make_search_word_bounded(cx: &mut Context) {
-    let regex = match cx.editor.registers.last('/') {
+    let register = cx.register.unwrap_or('/');
+    let regex = match cx.editor.registers.first(register, cx.editor) {
         Some(regex) => regex,
         None => return,
     };
@@ -1997,14 +2002,16 @@ fn make_search_word_bounded(cx: &mut Context) {
     if !start_anchored {
         new_regex.push_str("\\b");
     }
-    new_regex.push_str(regex);
+    new_regex.push_str(&regex);
     if !end_anchored {
         new_regex.push_str("\\b");
     }
 
-    let msg = format!("register '{}' set to '{}'", '/', &new_regex);
-    cx.editor.registers.push('/', new_regex);
-    cx.editor.set_status(msg);
+    let msg = format!("register '{}' set to '{}'", register, &new_regex);
+    match cx.editor.registers.push(register, new_regex) {
+        Ok(_) => cx.editor.set_status(msg),
+        Err(err) => cx.editor.set_error(err.to_string()),
+    }
 }
 
 fn global_search(cx: &mut Context) {
@@ -2367,7 +2374,10 @@ fn delete_selection_impl(cx: &mut Context, op: Operation) {
         let text = doc.text().slice(..);
         let values: Vec<String> = selection.fragments(text).map(Cow::into_owned).collect();
         let reg_name = cx.register.unwrap_or('"');
-        cx.editor.registers.write(reg_name, values);
+        if let Err(err) = cx.editor.registers.write(reg_name, values) {
+            cx.editor.set_error(err.to_string());
+            return;
+        }
     };
 
     // then delete
@@ -3750,7 +3760,22 @@ fn commit_undo_checkpoint(cx: &mut Context) {
 // Yank / Paste
 
 fn yank(cx: &mut Context) {
-    let (view, doc) = current!(cx.editor);
+    yank_impl(cx.editor, cx.register.unwrap_or('"'));
+    exit_select_mode(cx);
+}
+
+fn yank_to_clipboard(cx: &mut Context) {
+    yank_impl(cx.editor, '*');
+    exit_select_mode(cx);
+}
+
+fn yank_to_primary_clipboard(cx: &mut Context) {
+    yank_impl(cx.editor, '+');
+    exit_select_mode(cx);
+}
+
+fn yank_impl(editor: &mut Editor, register: char) {
+    let (view, doc) = current!(editor);
     let text = doc.text().slice(..);
 
     let values: Vec<String> = doc
@@ -3758,19 +3783,15 @@ fn yank(cx: &mut Context) {
         .fragments(text)
         .map(Cow::into_owned)
         .collect();
+    let selections = values.len();
 
-    let msg = format!(
-        "yanked {} selection(s) to register {}",
-        values.len(),
-        cx.register.unwrap_or('"')
-    );
-
-    cx.editor
-        .registers
-        .write(cx.register.unwrap_or('"'), values);
-
-    cx.editor.set_status(msg);
-    exit_select_mode(cx);
+    match editor.registers.write(register, values) {
+        Ok(_) => editor.set_status(format!(
+            "yanked {selections} selection{} to register {register}",
+            if selections == 1 { "" } else { "s" }
+        )),
+        Err(err) => editor.set_error(err.to_string()),
+    }
 }
 
 fn yank_joined_impl(editor: &mut Editor, separator: &str, register: char) {
@@ -3778,6 +3799,7 @@ fn yank_joined_impl(editor: &mut Editor, separator: &str, register: char) {
     let text = doc.text().slice(..);
 
     let selection = doc.selection(view.id);
+    let selections = selection.len();
     let joined = selection
         .fragments(text)
         .fold(String::new(), |mut acc, fragment| {
@@ -3788,104 +3810,52 @@ fn yank_joined_impl(editor: &mut Editor, separator: &str, register: char) {
             acc
         });
 
-    let msg = format!(
-        "joined and yanked {} selection(s) to register {}",
-        selection.len(),
-        register,
-    );
-
-    editor.registers.write(register, vec![joined]);
-    editor.set_status(msg);
+    match editor.registers.write(register, vec![joined]) {
+        Ok(_) => editor.set_status(format!(
+            "joined and yanked {selections} selection{} to register {register}",
+            if selections == 1 { "" } else { "s" }
+        )),
+        Err(err) => editor.set_error(err.to_string()),
+    }
 }
 
 fn yank_joined(cx: &mut Context) {
-    let line_ending = doc!(cx.editor).line_ending;
-    let register = cx.register.unwrap_or('"');
-    yank_joined_impl(cx.editor, line_ending.as_str(), register);
+    let separator = doc!(cx.editor).line_ending.as_str();
+    yank_joined_impl(cx.editor, separator, cx.register.unwrap_or('"'));
     exit_select_mode(cx);
 }
 
-fn yank_joined_to_clipboard_impl(
-    editor: &mut Editor,
-    separator: &str,
-    clipboard_type: ClipboardType,
-) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
-    let (view, doc) = current!(editor);
-    let text = doc.text().slice(..);
-
-    let values: Vec<String> = doc
-        .selection(view.id)
-        .fragments(text)
-        .map(Cow::into_owned)
-        .collect();
-
-    let clipboard_text = match clipboard_type {
-        ClipboardType::Clipboard => "system clipboard",
-        ClipboardType::Selection => "primary clipboard",
-    };
-
-    let msg = format!(
-        "joined and yanked {} selection(s) to {}",
-        values.len(),
-        clipboard_text,
-    );
-
-    let joined = values.join(separator);
-
-    editor
-        .clipboard_provider
-        .set_contents(joined, clipboard_type)
-        .context("Couldn't set system clipboard content")?;
-
-    editor.set_status(msg);
-
-    Ok(())
+fn yank_joined_to_clipboard(cx: &mut Context) {
+    let line_ending = doc!(cx.editor).line_ending;
+    yank_joined_impl(cx.editor, line_ending.as_str(), '*');
+    exit_select_mode(cx);
 }
 
-fn yank_joined_to_clipboard(cx: &mut Context) {
+fn yank_joined_to_primary_clipboard(cx: &mut Context) {
     let line_ending = doc!(cx.editor).line_ending;
-    let _ =
-        yank_joined_to_clipboard_impl(cx.editor, line_ending.as_str(), ClipboardType::Clipboard);
+    yank_joined_impl(cx.editor, line_ending.as_str(), '+');
     exit_select_mode(cx);
 }
 
-fn yank_main_selection_to_clipboard_impl(
-    editor: &mut Editor,
-    clipboard_type: ClipboardType,
-) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
+fn yank_primary_selection_impl(editor: &mut Editor, register: char) {
     let (view, doc) = current!(editor);
     let text = doc.text().slice(..);
 
-    let message_text = match clipboard_type {
-        ClipboardType::Clipboard => "yanked main selection to system clipboard",
-        ClipboardType::Selection => "yanked main selection to primary clipboard",
-    };
-
-    let value = doc.selection(view.id).primary().fragment(text);
+    let selection = doc.selection(view.id).primary().fragment(text).to_string();
 
-    if let Err(e) = editor
-        .clipboard_provider
-        .set_contents(value.into_owned(), clipboard_type)
-    {
-        bail!("Couldn't set system clipboard content: {}", e);
+    match editor.registers.write(register, vec![selection]) {
+        Ok(_) => editor.set_status(format!("yanked primary selection to register {register}",)),
+        Err(err) => editor.set_error(err.to_string()),
     }
-
-    editor.set_status(message_text);
-    Ok(())
 }
 
 fn yank_main_selection_to_clipboard(cx: &mut Context) {
-    let _ = yank_main_selection_to_clipboard_impl(cx.editor, ClipboardType::Clipboard);
-}
-
-fn yank_joined_to_primary_clipboard(cx: &mut Context) {
-    let line_ending = doc!(cx.editor).line_ending;
-    let _ =
-        yank_joined_to_clipboard_impl(cx.editor, line_ending.as_str(), ClipboardType::Selection);
+    yank_primary_selection_impl(cx.editor, '*');
+    exit_select_mode(cx);
 }
 
 fn yank_main_selection_to_primary_clipboard(cx: &mut Context) {
-    let _ = yank_main_selection_to_clipboard_impl(cx.editor, ClipboardType::Selection);
+    yank_primary_selection_impl(cx.editor, '+');
     exit_select_mode(cx);
 }
 
@@ -3985,144 +3955,88 @@ pub(crate) fn paste_bracketed_value(cx: &mut Context, contents: String) {
     paste_impl(&[contents], doc, view, paste, count, cx.editor.mode);
 }
 
-fn paste_clipboard_impl(
-    editor: &mut Editor,
-    action: Paste,
-    clipboard_type: ClipboardType,
-    count: usize,
-) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
-    let (view, doc) = current!(editor);
-    match editor.clipboard_provider.get_contents(clipboard_type) {
-        Ok(contents) => {
-            paste_impl(&[contents], doc, view, action, count, editor.mode);
-            Ok(())
-        }
-        Err(e) => Err(e.context("Couldn't get system clipboard contents")),
-    }
-}
-
 fn paste_clipboard_after(cx: &mut Context) {
-    let _ = paste_clipboard_impl(
-        cx.editor,
-        Paste::After,
-        ClipboardType::Clipboard,
-        cx.count(),
-    );
+    paste(cx.editor, '*', Paste::After, cx.count());
 }
 
 fn paste_clipboard_before(cx: &mut Context) {
-    let _ = paste_clipboard_impl(
-        cx.editor,
-        Paste::Before,
-        ClipboardType::Clipboard,
-        cx.count(),
-    );
+    paste(cx.editor, '*', Paste::Before, cx.count());
 }
 
 fn paste_primary_clipboard_after(cx: &mut Context) {
-    let _ = paste_clipboard_impl(
-        cx.editor,
-        Paste::After,
-        ClipboardType::Selection,
-        cx.count(),
-    );
+    paste(cx.editor, '+', Paste::After, cx.count());
 }
 
 fn paste_primary_clipboard_before(cx: &mut Context) {
-    let _ = paste_clipboard_impl(
-        cx.editor,
-        Paste::Before,
-        ClipboardType::Selection,
-        cx.count(),
-    );
+    paste(cx.editor, '+', Paste::Before, cx.count());
 }
 
 fn replace_with_yanked(cx: &mut Context) {
-    let count = cx.count();
-    let reg_name = cx.register.unwrap_or('"');
-    let (view, doc) = current!(cx.editor);
-    let registers = &mut cx.editor.registers;
-
-    if let Some(values) = registers.read(reg_name) {
-        if !values.is_empty() {
-            let repeat = std::iter::repeat(
-                values
-                    .last()
-                    .map(|value| Tendril::from(&value.repeat(count)))
-                    .unwrap(),
-            );
-            let mut values = values
-                .iter()
-                .map(|value| Tendril::from(&value.repeat(count)))
-                .chain(repeat);
-            let selection = doc.selection(view.id);
-            let transaction = Transaction::change_by_selection(doc.text(), selection, |range| {
-                if !range.is_empty() {
-                    (range.from(), range.to(), Some(values.next().unwrap()))
-                } else {
-                    (range.from(), range.to(), None)
-                }
-            });
-
-            doc.apply(&transaction, view.id);
-            exit_select_mode(cx);
-        }
-    }
+    replace_with_yanked_impl(cx.editor, cx.register.unwrap_or('"'), cx.count());
+    exit_select_mode(cx);
 }
 
-fn replace_selections_with_clipboard_impl(
-    cx: &mut Context,
-    clipboard_type: ClipboardType,
-) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
-    let count = cx.count();
-    let (view, doc) = current!(cx.editor);
-
-    match cx.editor.clipboard_provider.get_contents(clipboard_type) {
-        Ok(contents) => {
-            let selection = doc.selection(view.id);
-            let transaction = Transaction::change_by_selection(doc.text(), selection, |range| {
-                (
-                    range.from(),
-                    range.to(),
-                    Some(contents.repeat(count).as_str().into()),
-                )
-            });
+fn replace_with_yanked_impl(editor: &mut Editor, register: char, count: usize) {
+    let Some(values) = editor.registers
+        .read(register, editor)
+        .filter(|values| values.len() > 0) else { return };
+    let values: Vec<_> = values.map(|value| value.to_string()).collect();
 
-            doc.apply(&transaction, view.id);
-            doc.append_changes_to_history(view);
+    let (view, doc) = current!(editor);
+    let repeat = std::iter::repeat(
+        values
+            .last()
+            .map(|value| Tendril::from(&value.repeat(count)))
+            .unwrap(),
+    );
+    let mut values = values
+        .iter()
+        .map(|value| Tendril::from(&value.repeat(count)))
+        .chain(repeat);
+    let selection = doc.selection(view.id);
+    let transaction = Transaction::change_by_selection(doc.text(), selection, |range| {
+        if !range.is_empty() {
+            (range.from(), range.to(), Some(values.next().unwrap()))
+        } else {
+            (range.from(), range.to(), None)
         }
-        Err(e) => return Err(e.context("Couldn't get system clipboard contents")),
-    }
+    });
 
-    exit_select_mode(cx);
-    Ok(())
+    doc.apply(&transaction, view.id);
 }
 
 fn replace_selections_with_clipboard(cx: &mut Context) {
-    let _ = replace_selections_with_clipboard_impl(cx, ClipboardType::Clipboard);
+    replace_with_yanked_impl(cx.editor, '*', cx.count());
 }
 
 fn replace_selections_with_primary_clipboard(cx: &mut Context) {
-    let _ = replace_selections_with_clipboard_impl(cx, ClipboardType::Selection);
+    replace_with_yanked_impl(cx.editor, '+', cx.count());
 }
 
-fn paste(cx: &mut Context, pos: Paste) {
-    let count = cx.count();
-    let reg_name = cx.register.unwrap_or('"');
-    let (view, doc) = current!(cx.editor);
-    let registers = &mut cx.editor.registers;
+fn paste(editor: &mut Editor, register: char, pos: Paste, count: usize) {
+    let Some(values) = editor.registers.read(register, editor) else { return };
+    let values: Vec<_> = values.map(|value| value.to_string()).collect();
 
-    if let Some(values) = registers.read(reg_name) {
-        paste_impl(values, doc, view, pos, count, cx.editor.mode);
-    }
+    let (view, doc) = current!(editor);
+    paste_impl(&values, doc, view, pos, count, editor.mode);
 }
 
 fn paste_after(cx: &mut Context) {
-    paste(cx, Paste::After)
+    paste(
+        cx.editor,
+        cx.register.unwrap_or('"'),
+        Paste::After,
+        cx.count(),
+    );
 }
 
 fn paste_before(cx: &mut Context) {
-    paste(cx, Paste::Before)
+    paste(
+        cx.editor,
+        cx.register.unwrap_or('"'),
+        Paste::Before,
+        cx.count(),
+    );
 }
 
 fn get_lines(doc: &Document, view_id: ViewId) -> Vec<usize> {
@@ -4879,7 +4793,12 @@ fn insert_register(cx: &mut Context) {
         if let Some(ch) = event.char() {
             cx.editor.autoinfo = None;
             cx.register = Some(ch);
-            paste(cx, Paste::Cursor);
+            paste(
+                cx.editor,
+                cx.register.unwrap_or('"'),
+                Paste::Cursor,
+                cx.count(),
+            );
         }
     })
 }
@@ -5593,9 +5512,12 @@ fn record_macro(cx: &mut Context) {
                 }
             })
             .collect::<String>();
-        cx.editor.registers.write(reg, vec![s]);
-        cx.editor
-            .set_status(format!("Recorded to register [{}]", reg));
+        match cx.editor.registers.write(reg, vec![s]) {
+            Ok(_) => cx
+                .editor
+                .set_status(format!("Recorded to register [{}]", reg)),
+            Err(err) => cx.editor.set_error(err.to_string()),
+        }
     } else {
         let reg = cx.register.take().unwrap_or('@');
         cx.editor.macro_recording = Some((reg, Vec::new()));
@@ -5615,8 +5537,14 @@ fn replay_macro(cx: &mut Context) {
         return;
     }
 
-    let keys: Vec<KeyEvent> = if let Some([keys_str]) = cx.editor.registers.read(reg) {
-        match helix_view::input::parse_macro(keys_str) {
+    let keys: Vec<KeyEvent> = if let Some(keys) = cx
+        .editor
+        .registers
+        .read(reg, cx.editor)
+        .filter(|values| values.len() == 1)
+        .map(|mut values| values.next().unwrap())
+    {
+        match helix_view::input::parse_macro(&keys) {
             Ok(keys) => keys,
             Err(err) => {
                 cx.editor.set_error(format!("Invalid macro: {}", err));
diff --git a/helix-term/src/commands/typed.rs b/helix-term/src/commands/typed.rs
index 175f8bc61217..67640f79764f 100644
--- a/helix-term/src/commands/typed.rs
+++ b/helix-term/src/commands/typed.rs
@@ -904,7 +904,8 @@ fn yank_main_selection_to_clipboard(
         return Ok(());
     }
 
-    yank_main_selection_to_clipboard_impl(cx.editor, ClipboardType::Clipboard)
+    yank_primary_selection_impl(cx.editor, '*');
+    Ok(())
 }
 
 fn yank_joined(
@@ -938,7 +939,8 @@ fn yank_joined_to_clipboard(
     let doc = doc!(cx.editor);
     let default_sep = Cow::Borrowed(doc.line_ending.as_str());
     let separator = args.first().unwrap_or(&default_sep);
-    yank_joined_to_clipboard_impl(cx.editor, separator, ClipboardType::Clipboard)
+    yank_joined_impl(cx.editor, separator, '*');
+    Ok(())
 }
 
 fn yank_main_selection_to_primary_clipboard(
@@ -950,7 +952,8 @@ fn yank_main_selection_to_primary_clipboard(
         return Ok(());
     }
 
-    yank_main_selection_to_clipboard_impl(cx.editor, ClipboardType::Selection)
+    yank_primary_selection_impl(cx.editor, '+');
+    Ok(())
 }
 
 fn yank_joined_to_primary_clipboard(
@@ -965,7 +968,8 @@ fn yank_joined_to_primary_clipboard(
     let doc = doc!(cx.editor);
     let default_sep = Cow::Borrowed(doc.line_ending.as_str());
     let separator = args.first().unwrap_or(&default_sep);
-    yank_joined_to_clipboard_impl(cx.editor, separator, ClipboardType::Selection)
+    yank_joined_impl(cx.editor, separator, '+');
+    Ok(())
 }
 
 fn paste_clipboard_after(
@@ -977,7 +981,8 @@ fn paste_clipboard_after(
         return Ok(());
     }
 
-    paste_clipboard_impl(cx.editor, Paste::After, ClipboardType::Clipboard, 1)
+    paste(cx.editor, '*', Paste::After, 1);
+    Ok(())
 }
 
 fn paste_clipboard_before(
@@ -989,7 +994,8 @@ fn paste_clipboard_before(
         return Ok(());
     }
 
-    paste_clipboard_impl(cx.editor, Paste::Before, ClipboardType::Clipboard, 1)
+    paste(cx.editor, '*', Paste::Before, 1);
+    Ok(())
 }
 
 fn paste_primary_clipboard_after(
@@ -1001,7 +1007,8 @@ fn paste_primary_clipboard_after(
         return Ok(());
     }
 
-    paste_clipboard_impl(cx.editor, Paste::After, ClipboardType::Selection, 1)
+    paste(cx.editor, '+', Paste::After, 1);
+    Ok(())
 }
 
 fn paste_primary_clipboard_before(
@@ -1013,30 +1020,8 @@ fn paste_primary_clipboard_before(
         return Ok(());
     }
 
-    paste_clipboard_impl(cx.editor, Paste::Before, ClipboardType::Selection, 1)
-}
-
-fn replace_selections_with_clipboard_impl(
-    cx: &mut compositor::Context,
-    clipboard_type: ClipboardType,
-) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
-    let scrolloff = cx.editor.config().scrolloff;
-    let (view, doc) = current!(cx.editor);
-
-    match cx.editor.clipboard_provider.get_contents(clipboard_type) {
-        Ok(contents) => {
-            let selection = doc.selection(view.id);
-            let transaction = Transaction::change_by_selection(doc.text(), selection, |range| {
-                (range.from(), range.to(), Some(contents.as_str().into()))
-            });
-
-            doc.apply(&transaction, view.id);
-            doc.append_changes_to_history(view);
-            view.ensure_cursor_in_view(doc, scrolloff);
-            Ok(())
-        }
-        Err(e) => Err(e.context("Couldn't get system clipboard contents")),
-    }
+    paste(cx.editor, '+', Paste::Before, 1);
+    Ok(())
 }
 
 fn replace_selections_with_clipboard(
@@ -1048,7 +1033,8 @@ fn replace_selections_with_clipboard(
         return Ok(());
     }
 
-    replace_selections_with_clipboard_impl(cx, ClipboardType::Clipboard)
+    replace_with_yanked_impl(cx.editor, '*', 1);
+    Ok(())
 }
 
 fn replace_selections_with_primary_clipboard(
@@ -1060,7 +1046,8 @@ fn replace_selections_with_primary_clipboard(
         return Ok(());
     }
 
-    replace_selections_with_clipboard_impl(cx, ClipboardType::Selection)
+    replace_with_yanked_impl(cx.editor, '+', 1);
+    Ok(())
 }
 
 fn show_clipboard_provider(
@@ -1073,7 +1060,7 @@ fn show_clipboard_provider(
     }
 
     cx.editor
-        .set_status(cx.editor.clipboard_provider.name().to_string());
+        .set_status(cx.editor.registers.clipboard_provider_name().to_string());
     Ok(())
 }
 
@@ -2285,13 +2272,12 @@ fn clear_register(
         format!("Invalid register {}", args[0])
     );
     let register = args[0].chars().next().unwrap_or_default();
-    match cx.editor.registers.remove(register) {
-        Some(_) => cx
-            .editor
-            .set_status(format!("Register {} cleared", register)),
-        None => cx
-            .editor
-            .set_error(format!("Register {} not found", register)),
+    if cx.editor.registers.remove(register) {
+        cx.editor
+            .set_status(format!("Register {} cleared", register));
+    } else {
+        cx.editor
+            .set_error(format!("Register {} not found", register));
     }
     Ok(())
 }
diff --git a/helix-term/src/keymap/default.rs b/helix-term/src/keymap/default.rs
index c84c616c6c0b..379833525b33 100644
--- a/helix-term/src/keymap/default.rs
+++ b/helix-term/src/keymap/default.rs
@@ -265,7 +265,7 @@ pub fn default() -> HashMap<Mode, KeyTrie> {
                     "C-v" | "v" => vsplit_new,
                 },
             },
-            "y" => yank_joined_to_clipboard,
+            "y" => yank_to_clipboard,
             "Y" => yank_main_selection_to_clipboard,
             "p" => paste_clipboard_after,
             "P" => paste_clipboard_before,
diff --git a/helix-term/src/ui/prompt.rs b/helix-term/src/ui/prompt.rs
index 1352f4937753..702a6e6714ad 100644
--- a/helix-term/src/ui/prompt.rs
+++ b/helix-term/src/ui/prompt.rs
@@ -306,8 +306,8 @@ impl Prompt {
         direction: CompletionDirection,
     ) {
         (self.callback_fn)(cx, &self.line, PromptEvent::Abort);
-        let values = match cx.editor.registers.read(register) {
-            Some(values) if !values.is_empty() => values,
+        let mut values = match cx.editor.registers.read(register, cx.editor) {
+            Some(values) if values.len() > 0 => values.rev(),
             _ => return,
         };
 
@@ -315,13 +315,16 @@ impl Prompt {
 
         let index = match direction {
             CompletionDirection::Forward => self.history_pos.map_or(0, |i| i + 1),
-            CompletionDirection::Backward => {
-                self.history_pos.unwrap_or(values.len()).saturating_sub(1)
-            }
+            CompletionDirection::Backward => self
+                .history_pos
+                .unwrap_or_else(|| values.len())
+                .saturating_sub(1),
         }
         .min(end);
 
-        self.line = values[index].clone();
+        self.line = values.nth(index).unwrap().to_string();
+        // Appease the borrow checker.
+        drop(values);
 
         self.history_pos = Some(index);
 
@@ -470,7 +473,7 @@ impl Prompt {
             // Show the most recently entered value as a suggestion.
             if let Some(suggestion) = self
                 .history_register
-                .and_then(|reg| cx.editor.registers.last(reg))
+                .and_then(|reg| cx.editor.registers.first(reg, cx.editor))
             {
                 surface.set_string(line_area.x, line_area.y, suggestion, suggestion_color);
             }
@@ -567,25 +570,29 @@ impl Component for Prompt {
                 } else {
                     let last_item = self
                         .history_register
-                        .and_then(|reg| cx.editor.registers.last(reg).cloned())
-                        .map(|entry| entry.into())
-                        .unwrap_or_else(|| Cow::from(""));
+                        .and_then(|reg| cx.editor.registers.first(reg, cx.editor))
+                        .map(|entry| entry.to_string())
+                        .unwrap_or_else(|| String::from(""));
 
                     // handle executing with last command in history if nothing entered
-                    let input: Cow<str> = if self.line.is_empty() {
-                        last_item
+                    let input = if self.line.is_empty() {
+                        &last_item
                     } else {
                         if last_item != self.line {
                             // store in history
                             if let Some(register) = self.history_register {
-                                cx.editor.registers.push(register, self.line.clone());
+                                if let Err(err) =
+                                    cx.editor.registers.push(register, self.line.clone())
+                                {
+                                    cx.editor.set_error(err.to_string());
+                                }
                             };
                         }
 
-                        self.line.as_str().into()
+                        &self.line
                     };
 
-                    (self.callback_fn)(cx, &input, PromptEvent::Validate);
+                    (self.callback_fn)(cx, input, PromptEvent::Validate);
 
                     return close_fn;
                 }
@@ -617,25 +624,16 @@ impl Component for Prompt {
                 self.completion = cx
                     .editor
                     .registers
-                    .inner()
-                    .iter()
-                    .map(|(ch, reg)| {
-                        let content = reg
-                            .read()
-                            .get(0)
-                            .and_then(|s| s.lines().next().to_owned())
-                            .unwrap_or_default();
-                        (0.., format!("{} {}", ch, &content).into())
-                    })
+                    .iter_preview()
+                    .map(|(ch, preview)| (0.., format!("{} {}", ch, &preview).into()))
                     .collect();
                 self.next_char_handler = Some(Box::new(|prompt, c, context| {
                     prompt.insert_str(
-                        context
+                        &context
                             .editor
                             .registers
-                            .read(c)
-                            .and_then(|r| r.first())
-                            .map_or("", |r| r.as_str()),
+                            .first(c, context.editor)
+                            .unwrap_or_default(),
                         context.editor,
                     );
                 }));
diff --git a/helix-view/src/editor.rs b/helix-view/src/editor.rs
index 20469ae94eff..4ea1c49f536e 100644
--- a/helix-view/src/editor.rs
+++ b/helix-view/src/editor.rs
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 use crate::{
     align_view,
-    clipboard::{get_clipboard_provider, ClipboardProvider},
     document::{DocumentSavedEventFuture, DocumentSavedEventResult, Mode, SavePoint},
     graphics::{CursorKind, Rect},
     info::Info,
     input::KeyEvent,
+    register::Registers,
     theme::{self, Theme},
     tree::{self, Tree},
     view::ViewPosition,
@@ -40,7 +40,6 @@ use tokio::{
 use anyhow::{anyhow, bail, Error};
 
 pub use helix_core::diagnostic::Severity;
-pub use helix_core::register::Registers;
 use helix_core::{
     auto_pairs::AutoPairs,
     syntax::{self, AutoPairConfig, SoftWrap},
@@ -875,8 +874,6 @@ pub struct Editor {
     pub debugger_events: SelectAll<UnboundedReceiverStream<dap::Payload>>,
     pub breakpoints: HashMap<PathBuf, Vec<Breakpoint>>,
 
-    pub clipboard_provider: Box<dyn ClipboardProvider>,
-
     pub syn_loader: Arc<syntax::Loader>,
     pub theme_loader: Arc<theme::Loader>,
     /// last_theme is used for theme previews. We store the current theme here,
@@ -1023,7 +1020,6 @@ impl Editor {
             last_theme: None,
             last_selection: None,
             registers: Registers::default(),
-            clipboard_provider: get_clipboard_provider(),
             status_msg: None,
             autoinfo: None,
             idle_timer: Box::pin(sleep(conf.idle_timeout)),
diff --git a/helix-view/src/info.rs b/helix-view/src/info.rs
index 1503e855e362..ca783fef54a2 100644
--- a/helix-view/src/info.rs
+++ b/helix-view/src/info.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
-use helix_core::{register::Registers, unicode::width::UnicodeWidthStr};
+use crate::register::Registers;
+use helix_core::unicode::width::UnicodeWidthStr;
 use std::fmt::Write;
 
 #[derive(Debug)]
@@ -56,16 +57,8 @@ impl Info {
 
     pub fn from_registers(registers: &Registers) -> Self {
         let body: Vec<_> = registers
-            .inner()
-            .iter()
-            .map(|(ch, reg)| {
-                let content = reg
-                    .read()
-                    .get(0)
-                    .and_then(|s| s.lines().next())
-                    .unwrap_or_default();
-                (ch.to_string(), content)
-            })
+            .iter_preview()
+            .map(|(ch, preview)| (ch.to_string(), preview))
             .collect();
 
         let mut infobox = Self::new("Registers", &body);
diff --git a/helix-view/src/lib.rs b/helix-view/src/lib.rs
index c3f67345b361..6a68e7d6f9bd 100644
--- a/helix-view/src/lib.rs
+++ b/helix-view/src/lib.rs
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ pub mod base64;
 pub mod info;
 pub mod input;
 pub mod keyboard;
+pub mod register;
 pub mod theme;
 pub mod tree;
 pub mod view;
diff --git a/helix-view/src/register.rs b/helix-view/src/register.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..3d1849a6fb66
--- /dev/null
+++ b/helix-view/src/register.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,331 @@
+use std::{borrow::Cow, collections::HashMap, iter};
+
+use anyhow::Result;
+use helix_core::NATIVE_LINE_ENDING;
+
+use crate::{
+    clipboard::{get_clipboard_provider, ClipboardProvider, ClipboardType},
+    document::SCRATCH_BUFFER_NAME,
+    Editor,
+};
+
+/// A key-value store for saving sets of values.
+///
+/// Each register corresponds to a `char`. Most chars can be used to store any set of
+/// values but a few chars are "special registers". Special registers have unique
+/// behaviors when read or written to:
+///
+/// * Black hole (`_`): all values read and written are discarded
+/// * Selection indices (`#`): index number of each selection starting at 1
+/// * Selection contents (`.`)
+/// * Document path (`%`): filename of the current buffer
+/// * System clipboard (`*`)
+/// * Primary clipboard (`+`)
+#[derive(Debug)]
+pub struct Registers {
+    /// The mapping of register to values.
+    /// Values are stored in reverse order when inserted with `Registers::write`.
+    /// The order is reversed again in `Registers::read`. This allows us to
+    /// efficiently prepend new values in `Registers::push`.
+    inner: HashMap<char, Vec<String>>,
+    clipboard_provider: Box<dyn ClipboardProvider>,
+}
+
+impl Default for Registers {
+    fn default() -> Self {
+        Self {
+            inner: Default::default(),
+            clipboard_provider: get_clipboard_provider(),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl Registers {
+    pub fn read<'a>(&'a self, name: char, editor: &'a Editor) -> Option<RegisterValues<'a>> {
+        match name {
+            '_' => Some(RegisterValues::new(iter::empty())),
+            '#' => {
+                let (view, doc) = current_ref!(editor);
+                let selections = doc.selection(view.id).len();
+                // ExactSizeIterator is implemented for Range<usize> but
+                // not RangeInclusive<usize>.
+                Some(RegisterValues::new(
+                    (0..selections).map(|i| (i + 1).to_string().into()),
+                ))
+            }
+            '.' => {
+                let (view, doc) = current_ref!(editor);
+                let text = doc.text().slice(..);
+                Some(RegisterValues::new(doc.selection(view.id).fragments(text)))
+            }
+            '%' => {
+                let doc = doc!(editor);
+
+                let path = doc
+                    .path()
+                    .as_ref()
+                    .map(|p| p.to_string_lossy())
+                    .unwrap_or_else(|| SCRATCH_BUFFER_NAME.into());
+
+                Some(RegisterValues::new(iter::once(path)))
+            }
+            '*' | '+' => Some(read_from_clipboard(
+                self.clipboard_provider.as_ref(),
+                self.inner.get(&name),
+                match name {
+                    '*' => ClipboardType::Clipboard,
+                    '+' => ClipboardType::Selection,
+                    _ => unreachable!(),
+                },
+            )),
+            _ => self
+                .inner
+                .get(&name)
+                .map(|values| RegisterValues::new(values.iter().map(Cow::from).rev())),
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub fn write(&mut self, name: char, mut values: Vec<String>) -> Result<()> {
+        match name {
+            '_' => Ok(()),
+            '#' | '.' | '%' => Err(anyhow::anyhow!("Register {name} does not support writing")),
+            '*' | '+' => {
+                self.clipboard_provider.set_contents(
+                    values.join(NATIVE_LINE_ENDING.as_str()),
+                    match name {
+                        '*' => ClipboardType::Clipboard,
+                        '+' => ClipboardType::Selection,
+                        _ => unreachable!(),
+                    },
+                )?;
+                values.reverse();
+                self.inner.insert(name, values);
+                Ok(())
+            }
+            _ => {
+                values.reverse();
+                self.inner.insert(name, values);
+                Ok(())
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub fn push(&mut self, name: char, mut value: String) -> Result<()> {
+        match name {
+            '_' => Ok(()),
+            '#' | '.' | '%' => Err(anyhow::anyhow!("Register {name} does not support pushing")),
+            '*' | '+' => {
+                let clipboard_type = match name {
+                    '*' => ClipboardType::Clipboard,
+                    '+' => ClipboardType::Selection,
+                    _ => unreachable!(),
+                };
+                let contents = self.clipboard_provider.get_contents(clipboard_type)?;
+                let saved_values = self.inner.entry(name).or_insert_with(Vec::new);
+
+                if !contents_are_saved(saved_values, &contents) {
+                    anyhow::bail!("Failed to push to register {name}: clipboard does not match register contents");
+                }
+
+                saved_values.push(value.clone());
+                if !contents.is_empty() {
+                    value.push_str(NATIVE_LINE_ENDING.as_str());
+                }
+                value.push_str(&contents);
+                self.clipboard_provider
+                    .set_contents(value, clipboard_type)?;
+
+                Ok(())
+            }
+            _ => {
+                self.inner.entry(name).or_insert_with(Vec::new).push(value);
+                Ok(())
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub fn first<'a>(&'a self, name: char, editor: &'a Editor) -> Option<Cow<'a, str>> {
+        self.read(name, editor).and_then(|mut values| values.next())
+    }
+
+    pub fn last<'a>(&'a self, name: char, editor: &'a Editor) -> Option<Cow<'a, str>> {
+        self.read(name, editor).and_then(|values| values.last())
+    }
+
+    pub fn iter_preview(&self) -> impl Iterator<Item = (char, &str)> {
+        self.inner
+            .iter()
+            .filter(|(name, _)| !matches!(name, '*' | '+'))
+            .map(|(name, values)| {
+                let preview = values
+                    .last()
+                    .and_then(|s| s.lines().next())
+                    .unwrap_or("<empty>");
+
+                (*name, preview)
+            })
+            .chain(
+                [
+                    ('_', "<empty>"),
+                    ('#', "<selection indices>"),
+                    ('.', "<selection contents>"),
+                    ('%', "<document path>"),
+                    ('*', "<system clipboard>"),
+                    ('+', "<primary clipboard>"),
+                ]
+                .iter()
+                .copied(),
+            )
+    }
+
+    pub fn clear(&mut self) {
+        self.clear_clipboard(ClipboardType::Clipboard);
+        self.clear_clipboard(ClipboardType::Selection);
+        self.inner.clear()
+    }
+
+    pub fn remove(&mut self, name: char) -> bool {
+        match name {
+            '*' | '+' => {
+                self.clear_clipboard(match name {
+                    '*' => ClipboardType::Clipboard,
+                    '+' => ClipboardType::Selection,
+                    _ => unreachable!(),
+                });
+                self.inner.remove(&name);
+
+                true
+            }
+            '_' | '#' | '.' | '%' => false,
+            _ => self.inner.remove(&name).is_some(),
+        }
+    }
+
+    fn clear_clipboard(&mut self, clipboard_type: ClipboardType) {
+        if let Err(err) = self
+            .clipboard_provider
+            .set_contents("".into(), clipboard_type)
+        {
+            log::error!(
+                "Failed to clear {} clipboard: {err}",
+                match clipboard_type {
+                    ClipboardType::Clipboard => "system",
+                    ClipboardType::Selection => "primary",
+                }
+            )
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub fn clipboard_provider_name(&self) -> Cow<str> {
+        self.clipboard_provider.name()
+    }
+}
+
+fn read_from_clipboard<'a>(
+    provider: &dyn ClipboardProvider,
+    saved_values: Option<&'a Vec<String>>,
+    clipboard_type: ClipboardType,
+) -> RegisterValues<'a> {
+    match provider.get_contents(clipboard_type) {
+        Ok(contents) => {
+            // If we're pasting the same values that we just yanked, re-use
+            // the saved values. This allows pasting multiple selections
+            // even when yanked to a clipboard.
+            let Some(values) = saved_values else { return RegisterValues::new(iter::once(contents.into())) };
+
+            if contents_are_saved(values, &contents) {
+                RegisterValues::new(values.iter().map(Cow::from).rev())
+            } else {
+                RegisterValues::new(iter::once(contents.into()))
+            }
+        }
+        Err(err) => {
+            log::error!(
+                "Failed to read {} clipboard: {err}",
+                match clipboard_type {
+                    ClipboardType::Clipboard => "system",
+                    ClipboardType::Selection => "primary",
+                }
+            );
+
+            RegisterValues::new(iter::empty())
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+fn contents_are_saved(saved_values: &[String], mut contents: &str) -> bool {
+    let line_ending = NATIVE_LINE_ENDING.as_str();
+    let mut values = saved_values.iter().rev();
+
+    match values.next() {
+        Some(first) if contents.starts_with(first) => {
+            contents = &contents[first.len()..];
+        }
+        None if contents.is_empty() => return true,
+        _ => return false,
+    }
+
+    for value in values {
+        if contents.starts_with(line_ending) && contents[line_ending.len()..].starts_with(value) {
+            contents = &contents[line_ending.len() + value.len()..];
+        } else {
+            return false;
+        }
+    }
+
+    true
+}
+
+// This is a wrapper of an iterator that is both double ended and exact size,
+// and can return either owned or borrowed values. Regular registers can
+// return borrowed values while some special registers need to return owned
+// values.
+pub struct RegisterValues<'a> {
+    iter: Box<dyn DoubleEndedExactSizeIterator<Item = Cow<'a, str>> + 'a>,
+}
+
+impl<'a> RegisterValues<'a> {
+    fn new(
+        iter: impl DoubleEndedIterator<Item = Cow<'a, str>>
+            + ExactSizeIterator<Item = Cow<'a, str>>
+            + 'a,
+    ) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            iter: Box::new(iter),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl<'a> Iterator for RegisterValues<'a> {
+    type Item = Cow<'a, str>;
+
+    fn next(&mut self) -> Option<Self::Item> {
+        self.iter.next()
+    }
+
+    fn size_hint(&self) -> (usize, Option<usize>) {
+        self.iter.size_hint()
+    }
+}
+
+impl<'a> DoubleEndedIterator for RegisterValues<'a> {
+    fn next_back(&mut self) -> Option<Self::Item> {
+        self.iter.next_back()
+    }
+}
+
+impl<'a> ExactSizeIterator for RegisterValues<'a> {
+    fn len(&self) -> usize {
+        self.iter.len()
+    }
+}
+
+// Each RegisterValues iterator is both double ended and exact size. We can't
+// type RegisterValues as `Box<dyn DoubleEndedIterator + ExactSizeIterator>`
+// because only one non-auto trait is allowed in trait objects. So we need to
+// create a new trait that covers both. `RegisterValues` wraps that type so that
+// trait only needs to live in this module and not be imported for all register
+// callsites.
+trait DoubleEndedExactSizeIterator: DoubleEndedIterator + ExactSizeIterator {}
+
+impl<I: DoubleEndedIterator + ExactSizeIterator> DoubleEndedExactSizeIterator for I {}