---
name: "irsend"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "lirc"
version: "1:0.10.2-6"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/irsend"
---

# irsend(1)

basic LIRC program to send infra-red commands

## NAME

**irsend** - basic LIRC program to send infra-red commands

## SYNOPSIS

**irsend** \[*options*\] *send\_once \<remote\>* *\<code\>* \[*code...\]*\
 **irsend** \[*options*\] *send\_start \<remote\>* *\<code\>*\
 **irsend** \[*options*\] *send\_stop \<remote\>* *\<code\>*\
 **irsend** \[*options*\] *list* *\<remote\>* *\<code\>*\
 **irsend** \[*options*\] *set\_transmitters* *\<num\>* *\[num...\]*\
 **irsend** \[*options*\] *simulate* *\<button press packet\>*

## DESCRIPTION

Asks the **lircd** daemon to send one or more CIR (Consumer Infra-Red) commands. This is intended for remote control of electronic devices such as TV boxes, HiFi sets, etc.

**irsend** supports six sub-commands:

```
send_once         - send one or more code(s) once
send_start        - start repeating a code.
send_stop         - stop repeating code.
list              - list configured remote items
set_transmitters  - set active transmitters
simulate          - simulate IR event
```

*remote* is the name of a remote, as described in the **lircd** configuration file.

*code* is the name of a remote control key of *remote*, as it appears in the **lircd.conf** configuration file.

*num* is the transmitter number of the hardware device.

For the **list** command, *remote* and/or *code* can be empty:

-

  ```
  list   ""    ""   - list all configured remote names
  list remote  ""   - list all codes of remote
  list remote code  - list only code of remote
  ```

The **simulate** command only works if it has been explicitly enabled in lircd using the --allow-simulate option. The required *button press packet* should formatted as a socket broadcast message documented in **[lircd(8)](/lircd/8.md)**.

## OPTIONS

- **-h** **--help**

  Display usage summary.

- **-v** **--version**

  Display version.

- **-d** **--device**=*device*

  Use given lircd socket \[/var/run/lirc/lircd\].

- **-a** **--address**=*host\[*:port\]

  Connect to lircd at this address.

- \-# **--count**=*n*

  Send command n times.

## ENVIRONMENT

- LIRC\_SOCKET\_PATH

  The lircd socket to connect to, defaults to a hardcoded default value /var/run/lirc/lircd

## FILES

- */etc/lirc/lircd.conf*

  Default **lircd** configuration file.  It should contain all the remotes, their infra-red codes and the corresponding timing and waveform details.

## DIAGNOSTICS

If **lircd** is not running (or /var/run/lirc/lircd lacks write permissions) **irsend** aborts with the following diagnostics:

```
"irsend: could not connect to socket"
"irsend: Connection refused" (or "Permission denied").
```

## EXAMPLES

```
irsend LIST DenonTuner ""
irsend SEND_ONCE  DenonTuner PROG-SCAN
irsend SEND_ONCE  OnkyoAmpli VOL-UP VOL-UP VOL-UP VOL-UP
irsend SEND_START OnkyoAmpli VOL-DOWN ; sleep 3
irsend SEND_STOP  OnkyoAmpli VOL-DOWN
irsend SET_TRANSMITTERS 1
irsend SET_TRANSMITTERS 1 3 4
irsend SIMULATE "0000000000000476 00 OK TECHNISAT_ST3004S"
```

## DRIVER LOADING

Drivers are loaded dynamically. The directory used for this is determined by (falling priority):

- \-

  The environment variable LIRC\_PLUGINDIR.

- \-

  The 'plugindir' entry in  the \[lircd\] section of the lirc\_options.conf file.

- \-

  A hardcoded default (/usr/lib/lirc/plugins).

## SEE ALSO

[lircd(8)](/lircd/8.md),\
 [mode2(1)](/mode2/1.md),\
 [xmode2(1)](/xmode2/1.md),\
 [irrecord(1)](/irrecord/1.md),\
 [irw(1)](/irw/1.md)