send_keys

Python

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Send keys (commands or text) to a tmux pane.

Use this for raw interactive input: TUI keys, control sequences, partial shell input, or persistent shell state. Use send_keys_batch when you need several ordered raw-input operations.

For authored shell commands that need completion, exit status, or captured output, use run_command instead. For custom completion outside that shape, compose tmux wait-for -S <channel> into the shell command and call wait_for_channel. For repeated observation after input, prefer capture_since; reserve wait_for_text for output the agent does not author.

Do NOT call capture_pane immediately — both the read and the pattern-match paths race the pane’s PTY draw.

All Python tools · JSON · Source

Arguments

enter optional · boolean: Whether to press Enter after sending keys. Default True.
Default: true.
keys required · string: The keys or text to send.
literal optional · boolean: Whether to send keys literally (no tmux interpretation). Default False.
Default: false.
pane_id optional: Pane ID (e.g. '%1').
Default: null.
session_id optional: Session ID (e.g. '$1') for pane resolution.
Default: null.
session_name optional: Session name for pane resolution.
Default: null.
socket_name optional: tmux socket name.
Default: null.
suppress_history optional · boolean: Suppress shell history by prepending a space; only effective where the shell ignores space-prefixed commands. Default False.
Default: false.
window_id optional: Window ID for pane resolution.
Default: null.

Schemas

The schema defines required fields, nested values, defaults, and validation constraints.

Input schema

{
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "properties": {
    "enter": {
      "default": true,
      "description": "Whether to press Enter after sending keys. Default True.",
      "type": "boolean"
    },
    "keys": {
      "description": "The keys or text to send.",
      "type": "string"
    },
    "literal": {
      "default": false,
      "description": "Whether to send keys literally (no tmux interpretation). Default False.",
      "type": "boolean"
    },
    "pane_id": {
      "anyOf": [
        {
          "type": "string"
        },
        {
          "type": "null"
        }
      ],
      "default": null,
      "description": "Pane ID (e.g. '%1')."
    },
    "session_id": {
      "anyOf": [
        {
          "type": "string"
        },
        {
          "type": "null"
        }
      ],
      "default": null,
      "description": "Session ID (e.g. '$1') for pane resolution."
    },
    "session_name": {
      "anyOf": [
        {
          "type": "string"
        },
        {
          "type": "null"
        }
      ],
      "default": null,
      "description": "Session name for pane resolution."
    },
    "socket_name": {
      "anyOf": [
        {
          "type": "string"
        },
        {
          "type": "null"
        }
      ],
      "default": null,
      "description": "tmux socket name."
    },
    "suppress_history": {
      "default": false,
      "description": "Suppress shell history by prepending a space; only effective where\nthe shell ignores space-prefixed commands. Default False.",
      "type": "boolean"
    },
    "window_id": {
      "anyOf": [
        {
          "type": "string"
        },
        {
          "type": "null"
        }
      ],
      "default": null,
      "description": "Window ID for pane resolution."
    }
  },
  "required": [
    "keys"
  ],
  "type": "object"
}

Output schema

{
  "properties": {
    "result": {
      "type": "string"
    }
  },
  "required": [
    "result"
  ],
  "type": "object",
  "x-fastmcp-wrap-result": true
}

Tool annotations

{
  "destructiveHint": true,
  "idempotentHint": false,
  "openWorldHint": true,
  "readOnlyHint": false
}