---
title: "press-keys"
sidebarTitle: "press-keys"
description: "Simulate typing a keyboard combination."
icon: "keyboard"
mode: "wide"
---

import Replay from "/snippets/tests/press-keys-replay.mdx";
import Example from "/snippets/tests/press-keys-yaml.mdx";

<Replay />
<Example />

## Description

The `press-keys` command is used to simulate typing a keyboard combination. This is useful for triggering shortcuts or interacting with applications via keyboard input.

## Arguments

| Argument | Type                     | Description                       |
| -------- | ------------------------ | :-------------------------------- |
| `keys`   | YAML sequence of strings | A list of keys to press together. |

---

The keys supported are the standard [Windows keys](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/api/system.windows.forms.keys?view=windowsdesktop-9.0). Supported values:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Modifiers">
    - `ctrl`, `shift`, `alt`, `command`, `option`, `win` - Left/right variants:
    `ctrlleft`, `ctrlright`, `shiftleft`, `shiftright`, `altleft`, `altright`,
    `optionleft`, `optionright`, `winleft`, `winright`
  </Tab>
  <Tab title="Printable">
    - All ASCII printable characters: letters `a`–`z`, digits `0`–`9`, common
    punctuation, and `space`.
  </Tab>
  <Tab title="Function keys">- `f1`–`f24`</Tab>
  <Tab title="Navigation">
    - `up`, `down`, `left`, `right`, `home`, `end`, `pageup`, `pagedown`,
    `pgup`, `pgdn`
  </Tab>
  <Tab title="Editing">
    - `backspace`, `delete`, `del`, `insert`, `enter`, `return`, `tab`,
    `escape`, `esc`
  </Tab>
  <Tab title="Locks & Print">
    - `capslock`, `numlock`, `scrolllock`, `printscreen`, `prntscrn`, `prtsc`,
    `prtscr`, `print`
  </Tab>
  <Tab title="Numpad">
    - `num0`–`num9`, `add`, `subtract`, `multiply`, `divide`, `decimal`,
    `separator`
  </Tab>
  <Tab title="Media & Browser">
    - `playpause`, `stop`, `nexttrack`, `prevtrack`, `volumedown`, `volumeup`,
    `volumemute` - `browserback`, `browserforward`, `browserrefresh`,
    `browsersearch`, `browserstop`, `browserfavorites`, `browserhome` -
    `launchapp1`, `launchapp2`, `launchmail`, `launchmediaselect`
  </Tab>
  <Tab title="IME / International">
    - `hangul`, `hanguel`, `hanja`, `junja`, `kana`, `kanji`, `modechange`,
    `nonconvert`, `convert`, `final`, `yen`
  </Tab>
  <Tab title="Other">- `help`, `select`, `sleep`, `space`</Tab>
</Tabs>

---

## Example usage

```yaml
command: press-keys
keys:
  - ctrl
  - space
```

## Protips

- Use this command to trigger system-wide or application-specific shortcuts, such as the Start menu or the browser elements.
- Ensure the application or system is in focus when using this command to avoid unexpected behavior.

## Notes

- The `press-keys` command is ideal for automating workflows that rely on keyboard shortcuts.