Python MCP reference

tool MCPstable

`send_keys`

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.

MCP request method: tools/call Send send_keys as the tool name, with the arguments below.

Arguments#

enter? = true (boolean) #

Whether to press Enter after sending keys. Default True.
keys (string) #

The keys or text to send.
literal? = false (boolean) #

Whether to send keys literally (no tmux interpretation). Default False.
pane_id? = null (string | null) #

Pane ID (e.g. ‘%1’).
session_id? = null (string | null) #

Session ID (e.g. ‘$1’) for pane resolution.
session_name? = null (string | null) #

Session name for pane resolution.
socket_name? = null (string | null) #

tmux socket name.
suppress_history? = false (boolean) #

Suppress shell history by prepending a space; only effective where the shell ignores space-prefixed commands. Default False.
window_id? = null (string | null) #

Window ID for pane resolution.

No other arguments are accepted.

Result#

Returns object

result (string) #

Annotations#

destructiveHint: true
idempotentHint: false
openWorldHint: true
readOnlyHint: false

Protocol data#

Use the complete advertised contract for validation and client integration.

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
}

Scripting & web

Compiled & native

JVM

.NET

tmux

`send_keys`

Arguments#

Result#

Annotations#

Protocol data#