2026.6.4
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Send keys

This action sends one or more keys to an LCN module, which runs the commands bound to those keys. You provide the keys as a string of key identifiers, for example a1a5d8.

You can send the keys immediately or defer them. For deferred sending, set a Time and Time unit, and use the hit key state.

Using this action from the user interface

If you prefer building automations and scripts visually, Home Assistant walks you through this action step by step. You pick what to target, tweak a few options, and save. No YAML knowledge required.

To send keys from an automation or a script:

  1. Go to Settings > Automations & scenes.
  2. Open an existing automation or script, or select Create automation > Create new automation.
  3. If you’re setting up a new automation, add a trigger in the When section. Scripts don’t need a trigger. They run when something else calls them.
  4. In the Then do section, select Add action.
  5. From the search box, search for and select LCN: Send keys.
  6. Select the LCN module or group in the Device field and enter the Keys to send.
  7. Select Save.

This action does not support targets. Instead, you select the LCN module or group through the Device field.

Options in the UI

Device (Required)

The LCN module or group to send the command to.
Keys (Required)

The keys to send, as a string of key identifiers, for example a1a5d8.
State (Optional)

The key state upon sending. One of: hit, make, break, dontsend. Defaults to hit. For deferred sending, only hit is allowed.
Time (Optional)

The send delay. When set, the keys are sent deferred.
Time unit (Optional)

The time unit of the send delay. Defaults to seconds.

Using this action in YAML

If you work directly in YAML, or you want to know exactly what Home Assistant does under the hood, this section has the technical reference. It lists the field names you use in YAML, their types, and which ones are required.

In YAML, refer to this action as lcn.send_keys. A basic example looks like this:

ActionActions are used in several places in Home Assistant. As part of a script or automation, actions define what is going to happen once a trigger is activated. In scripts, an action is called *sequence*. [Learn more] 
action: lcn.send_keys
data:
  device_id: 91aa039a2fb6e0b9f9ec7eb219a6b7d2
  keys: a1a5d8
  state: hit

This sends keys a1, a5, and d8 to the selected module immediately.

To send the same keys five seconds later:

ActionActions are used in several places in Home Assistant. As part of a script or automation, actions define what is going to happen once a trigger is activated. In scripts, an action is called *sequence*. [Learn more] 
action: lcn.send_keys
data:
  device_id: 91aa039a2fb6e0b9f9ec7eb219a6b7d2
  keys: a1a5d8
  time: 5
  time_unit: s

Options in YAML

device_id string Required

The device ID of the LCN module or group.

keys string Required

The keys to send, as a string of key identifiers, for example a1a5d8. See Keys.

state string

The key state upon sending. See States. If not provided, it is assumed to be hit. For deferred sending, only hit is allowed.

time integer

The send delay. When set, the keys are sent deferred. If not provided, it is assumed to be 0.

time_unit string

The time unit of the send delay. See Variables and units. If not provided, it is assumed to be seconds.

Try it yourself

Ready to test this? Open Developer tools > Actions, search for this action, fill in the fields, and select Perform action. You see what happens on your actual entitiesAn entity represents a sensor, actor, or function in Home Assistant. Entities are used to monitor physical properties or to control other entities. An entity is usually part of a device or a service. [Learn more] without writing a line of YAML.

Still stuck?

The Home Assistant community is quick to help: join Discord for real-time chat, post on the community forum with the action you’re calling and what you expected to happen, or share on our subreddit /r/homeassistant.

Tip

AI assistants like ChatGPT or Claude can also explain actions or suggest the right one when you describe what you want in plain language.

Related actions

These actions work well alongside this one:

  • Lock keys: Sets the key lock states.

  • PCK: Sends an arbitrary PCK command.