Command to simulate keyboard input

Question

Is there a command that exists that can simulate keypresses? I want to pipe some data to it to make it type into a GUI program for me.

Jeff Schaller · Accepted Answer · 2016-03-04 21:28:31Z

up vote 6 down vote accepted

Yes, it is xdotool.

To simulate a key press, use:

xdotool key <key>

For example, to simulate pressing F2:

xdotool key F2

To simulate pressing crtl + c:

xdotool key ctrl+c

To simulate pressing ctrl + c and then a Backspace:

xdotool key ctrl+c BackSpace

Check man xdotool to get more idea.

You might need to install the xdotool package first to use xdotool command.

Jeff Schaller

5,06121028

answered yesterday

heemayl

9,83611334

Sweet! I'm assuming people use this for remote connections? – SpecialBomb yesterday

@SpecialBomb Depends..i use it sometimes to simulate a key inside a script.. – heemayl yesterday

Well, thanks! I'm going to use it specifically to make my own remote connection thing. – SpecialBomb yesterday

I used it so that my computer wouldn't sleep while I was watching movies. – Liam yesterday

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