type command

Synopsis

/type keystrokes

Description

type simulates user keystrokes. Ordinary characters normally appear in the input line, while bound keys perform their usual actions. Text is inserted at the current cursor, respecting the insert_mode setting; it is not automatically appended at the end.

The argument text uses caret notation for control keys: ^A through ^Z represent their control characters, ^[ represents Escape, and ^? represents Delete. Lowercase letters after a caret are converted to uppercase. A backslash quotes the next character for this notation parser: \^ types a caret and \\ types a backslash. This quoting does not bypass key bindings. A final caret or backslash without a following character is ignored. An invalid caret sequence such as ^1 displays Invalid key sequence: ^1 and stops, leaving earlier keystrokes already processed.

Variables may be expanded by the script command parser before type receives its arguments. Quotes and braces are not removed by type itself, and there are no options. With no arguments, it does nothing. For literal character insertion that bypasses key bindings and caret notation, use xtype -literal; bare xtype behaves like type.

The simulated bytes pass through the same console decoding and input dispatch as physical keyboard input. Set encoding console appropriately; non-ASCII text can be misinterpreted if its bytes do not match that encoding. ASCII keys use the current bind mappings, including macro bindings and the keybinding hook. Decoded characters above ASCII are inserted directly. Pending key sequences and quoted-key state can also affect the result.

Effects and restrictions

This command edits the active input line rather than returning a value. A binding may instead move the cursor, run an alias, or perform another action. For example, ^M normally submits the input line and can execute a command or send a message. Active input prompts receive simulated keys too; an input_char prompt consumes the next character as its response.

The normal input dispatcher requires fullscreen mode; simulated input is discarded outside that mode. Ordinary editing does not require an IRC connection, but actions triggered by bindings may require one.

Examples

With the default bindings, this types a kick template and moves the cursor backward two words so you can edit it before submitting:

/type /kick #example FooScript C1996^[b^[b

Here ^[b is Escape followed by b, normally bound to backward-word movement. Different bindings can change the result. This template does not submit the command automatically.

With the default ^E binding, this moves to the end of the existing input before adding text:

/type ^E additional text

Source

source/commands.c registers type and implements typecmd() and xtypecmd(). source/screen.c decodes console bytes and dispatches input and prompts. source/keys.c implements binding dispatch and default bindings; source/input.c implements character insertion and cursor editing.