---
name: "xsendkeys"
section: "8"
platform: "linux"
package: "lineakd"
version: "1:0.9-6"
release: "Debian 6.0 (Squeeze)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/xsendkeys"
---

# xsendkeys(8)

send a named key combination to X using strings

## NAME

xsendkeys - send a named key combination to X using strings

## SYNOPSIS

**xsendkeys keystring**

## DESCRIPTION

xsendkeys is a simple program which allows you to send a key or key combination to X. For example: **xsendkeys a** will send the letter a. If you wanted to send a capital a 'A' you would have to send: **xsendkeys Shift\_L+a**

**xsendkeys Shift\_L+Right** will send the key combination shift+right arrow. The names of the keys must be the exact names X would expect (use xev to see keynames when in doubt). Unlike xsendkeycode xsendkeys automatically sends corresponding keydown and keyup events. This helper application is not used from [lineakd(1)](/lineakd/1.md) but is included to allow scripts to send keys to X.

## SEE ALSO

evtest(8), [send\_to\_keyboard(8)](/send_to_keyboard/8.md), [xsendkeycode(8)](/xsendkeycode/8.md), [lineakd(1)](/lineakd/1.md).

## AUTHOR

**xsendkeys** was written by Sheldon Lee-Wen \<leewsb@hotmail.com\>.