Input

These commands simulate input devices like keyboards and gamepads. For security, Core blocks input commands from remote sources. Currently, Zap Links are the only remote source. Scripts sent through the Zaparoo App are not remote.

The platform sets a default input mode, which you can configure with [zapscript.input]. On desktop platforms, single-character keys are blocked by default; only key combos and special keys like {f1} work. Embedded platforms like MiSTer allow all keys.

input.keyboard

Simulates keyboard key presses.

Platform Support

Supported on MiSTer, MiSTeX, and Batocera.

Syntax

**input.keyboard:<keys>

Arguments

keys (required) The keys to press. Each parsed key is pressed with a short delay between keys, 100ms by default and configurable with the speed advanced argument. Special keys are entered using curly braces.

Special keys: {esc}, {backspace}, {tab}, {enter}, {lctrl}, {lshift}, {backslash}, {rshift}, {lalt}, {space}, {caps}, {num}, {scroll}, {f1}-{f12}, {home}, {up}, {pgup}, {left}, {right}, {end}, {down}, {pgdn}, {ins}, {del}, {volup}, {voldn}

Escaping: Use \{ and \} for literal curly braces, \\ for a literal backslash.

Key combos: Use + between keys inside braces, e.g., {shift+esc}.

Macros

Curly braces also support a small macro language for repeating keys, typing literal text, and holding keys down. These are expanded before the keys are pressed.

Macro	Effect
{key*N}	Repeat a key, combo, or special key N times, e.g. {down*10}
{"text"*N}	Type literal text, optionally repeated N times. Escape inner quotes as \"
{text:content*N}	Verb form of the above. Types content literally, optionally repeated
{delay:dur}	Pause before the next key. dur is milliseconds (500) or a duration (1s, 250ms)
{press:key} or {_key}	Press a key and hold it down without releasing
{release:key} or {^key}	Release a held key
{hold:key:dur} or {~key:dur}	Hold a key for a duration, then release it

Any keys still held at the end of the sequence are released automatically.

Press the Down arrow 10 times:

**input.keyboard:{down*10}

Type "ha" five times:

**input.keyboard:{"ha"*5}

Hold Shift while typing ABC, then release it:

**input.keyboard:{_shift}ABC{^shift}

Hold the A key for one second:

**input.keyboard:{hold:a:1s}

Type some keys with a pause in the middle:

**input.keyboard:abc{delay:1s}def

A single repeat can be at most 1000, and one command can expand to at most 5000 keys.

Advanced Arguments

Argument	Type	Default	Description
speed	duration	100ms	Delay between key presses. Milliseconds (50) or a duration (200ms). Lower is faster
when	expression	-	Conditional execution (see Expressions)

Examples

Type the @ character:

**input.keyboard:@

Type "qWeRty", press Enter, press Up arrow, then type "aaa":

**input.keyboard:qWeRty{enter}{up}aaa

Press Shift+Escape together:

**input.keyboard:{shift+esc}

Open the MiSTer OSD menu:

**input.keyboard:{f12}

Remote Blocked

This command is blocked when the script comes from a remote source.

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input.text

Types a string of literal text exactly as written. Unlike input.keyboard, it does not interpret {} macros, * repeats, or advanced arguments, so every character including {, }, ?, and * is typed as-is. Use it for arbitrary text like search queries, URLs, or passwords.

Platform Support

Supported on MiSTer, MiSTeX, and Batocera. Like other input commands, single-character keys are blocked by default on desktop platforms, so input.text needs the input mode set to unrestricted there. See [zapscript.input].

Syntax

**input.text:<text>

Arguments

text (required) The literal text to type. Newlines are sent as Enter and tabs as Tab. Up to 5000 characters.

Examples

Type a search term:

**input.text:hello world

Type a URL exactly, including the ? and =:

**input.text:https://example.com/search?q=zaparoo

Remote Blocked

This command is blocked when the script comes from a remote source.

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input.gamepad

Simulates gamepad button presses.

Platform Support

Supported on MiSTer, MiSTeX, and Batocera. The virtual gamepad can interfere with some emulators on Batocera, so it is disabled by default there. It can be re-enabled in the config file.

This command uses a separate virtual gamepad device, not an existing connected controller, which gives it limited use. It must be mapped manually in game or emulator settings, and it can't pretend to be player 1 if a real controller is already connected as player 1.

Syntax

**input.gamepad:<buttons>

Arguments

buttons (required) The buttons to press in sequence. Supports both single characters and named buttons in curly braces. Each parsed button is pressed with a short delay between buttons, 100ms by default and configurable with the speed advanced argument. Repeat a button with {button*N}, for example {start*3}.

Button mappings:

Input	Button
^, {up}	D-pad up
V, {down}	D-pad down
<, {left}	D-pad left
>, {right}	D-pad right
A, a	East button
B, b	South button
X, x	North button
Y, y	West button
L, l, {l1}	Left bumper
R, r, {r1}	Right bumper
{l2}	Left trigger
{r2}	Right trigger
{start}	Start
{select}	Select
{menu}	Menu/Guide button

Advanced Arguments

Argument	Type	Default	Description
speed	duration	100ms	Delay between button presses. Milliseconds (50) or a duration (200ms). Lower is faster
when	expression	-	Conditional execution (see Expressions)

Examples

Input the classic Konami code:

**input.gamepad:^^VV<><>BA{start}{select}

Press the Start button:

**input.gamepad:{start}

Press A, A, B, B in sequence:

**input.gamepad:AABB

Remote Blocked

This command is blocked when the script comes from a remote source.

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input.coinp1 / input.coinp2 / input.coinp3 / input.coinp4

Inserts coins for players 1 through 4 in arcade games.

Platform Support

Supported on MiSTer, MiSTeX, and Batocera.

Syntax

**input.coinp1:<amount>
**input.coinp2:<amount>
**input.coinp3:<amount>
**input.coinp4:<amount>

Arguments

amount (optional, default: 1) The number of coins to insert.

Omit the amount to insert one coin.

Advanced Arguments

Argument	Type	Default	Description
when	expression	-	Conditional execution (see Expressions)

Examples

Insert 1 coin for player 1:

**input.coinp1:1

Insert 3 coins for player 2:

**input.coinp2:3

Insert 1 coin for player 3:

**input.coinp3:1

Insert 1 coin for player 4:

**input.coinp4:1

Insert 2 coins for each player:

**input.coinp1:2||**input.coinp2:2||**input.coinp3:2||**input.coinp4:2

info

These commands press the 5, 6, 7, or 8 key for players 1 through 4, which are standard coin insert keys for MiSTer arcade cores and MAME. If it doesn't work, try mapping the coin insert keys manually.