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UI Actions › Actions › Simulate Typing

Simulates typing text on the keyboard.

Parameters

Keystrokes target

Selecting “frontmost app” will send them to the app currently in the foreground (default).

Select “macOS (system-wide)” to let macOS find the right destination for the keystrokes.

Select a specific app if you want to send the keystrokes to that particular app.

What’s the difference between frontmost app and system-wide? For example, if you try to open Spotlight search with ⌘Space but target the frontmost app, and that app also uses that key combination for one of its own features, you might end up triggering that feature instead of Spotlight. So if you want to send a keystroke and let macOS decide on the intended recipient, use the destination “macOS (system-wide)“.

Type: An app from a pre-defined list of available apps

Keys or text

This input is typed character by character, by simulating keystrokes.

Type: Text

Modifiers toggle

Enable or disable modifiers (like Cmd, Opt, etc.)

Options:

  • with modifiers
  • without modifiers

Cmd modifier

Simulates holding down the ⌘ key, i.e. Command. Ignored unless modifiers are enabled.

Type: Boolean (YES/NO)

Ctrl modifier

Simulates holding down the ⌃ key, i.e. Control. Ignored unless modifiers are enabled.

Type: Boolean (YES/NO)

Opt modifier

Simulates holding down the ⌥ key, i.e. Option. Ignored unless modifiers are enabled.

Type: Boolean (YES/NO)

Shift modifier

Simulates holding down the ⇧ key, i.e. Shift. Ignored unless modifiers are enabled.

Type: Boolean (YES/NO)

Delay between keystrokes

This adds a pause in between key presses.

Options:

  • no pause
  • 0.01 secs
  • 0.02 secs
  • 0.05 secs
  • 0.10 secs
  • 0.15 secs
  • 0.20 secs
  • 0.30 secs
  • 0.40 secs

Skip confirmation on long input text

With modifiers enabled, if you enter more than 5 characters, the action will ask you if you’re sure before it executes to prevent mishaps like calling more than 5 keyboard shortcuts in a row.

Activate this checkbox to suppress the confirmation dialog. #EnableFootGunMode

Type: Boolean (YES/NO)