Send Keys

Send Keys lets Tuna fire a keyboard shortcut for you.

This is useful when you already know the shortcut you want, but want Tuna to decide when or where to send it.

Examples:

• send cmd+f to search in the current app
• send cmd+l to focus a browser address bar
• send esc to dismiss a panel
• send ctrl+tab to move to the next tab in an app that supports it

Send Keys vs Type Text

This is the main distinction to keep in mind:

• Type Text sends literal characters like hello world
• Send Keys sends a shortcut like cmd+shift+f

If you want Tuna to enter words, use Type Text.

If you want Tuna to fire a keyboard shortcut, use Send Keys.

How To Write A Shortcut

Write the shortcut as modifiers joined by +, ending with one key.

Examples:

• cmd+f
• cmd+shift+f
• ctrl+tab
• opt+down
• esc

Tuna currently understands:

• letters and numbers
• Return, Tab, Space, Backspace, Escape, and Delete
• arrow keys
• the Command, Control, Option, and Shift modifiers

Three Common Ways To Use It

All of these follow Tuna's normal command model from How Commands Work.

Send A Shortcut To The Current App

Start from text in Text Mode or another text item, then choose Send Keys.

This sends the shortcut to the app you are already in.

Good example:

• type cmd+f in Tuna, then use Send Keys to trigger Find in the current app

Start From An App

Pick an app first, then choose Send Keys… and enter the shortcut in the target pane.

This is useful when you know the receiving app first.

Good example:

• select Safari, choose Send Keys…, then enter cmd+l

Start From Shortcut Text

Start with shortcut text, then choose Send Keys To… and pick the receiving app.

This is useful when you know the shortcut first but want to decide which app should receive it.

Good example:

• start from esc, choose Send Keys To…, then pick the app you want to dismiss a panel in

What It Is Good For

Send Keys is best for simple, recognizable shortcuts you already use by hand.

Common examples:

• cmd+f for Find
• cmd+l for location or address bars
• esc for dismissing sheets, popovers, or overlays
• ctrl+tab for next-tab navigation

The important thing is that Tuna is sending the shortcut. The receiving app still decides what that shortcut does.

Accessibility Permission

Send Keys needs macOS Accessibility permission.

Without that permission, Tuna cannot send shortcuts into other apps.

If you want the broader privacy context, read Privacy and Local Processing.

Limits

Keep these expectations in mind:

• Send Keys sends one shortcut at a time
• it is for shortcuts, not text entry
• it depends on the receiving app supporting that shortcut
• it is not a macro or multi-step automation system

If what you need is plain text input, use Type Text instead.