> For AI agents: the complete documentation index is available at https://rstest.rs/llms.txt, the full documentation bundle is available at https://rstest.rs/llms-full.txt.

# Keyboard


[Added in v0.12.5](https://github.com/web-infra-dev/rstest/releases/tag/v0.12.5)

`page.keyboard` sends native keyboard input to the currently focused element. Use it to test shortcuts, keyboard navigation, and interactions that move focus between elements.

Unlike `locator.press()`, which focuses the matching element first, `page.keyboard` uses the current focus without selecting an element. In headed mode, Rstest focuses the test's runner iframe before starting input if the outer test UI has taken focus. Moving focus outside the iframe can clear its focused element; focus the desired element explicitly before continuing to type.

Keyboard input shares the browser page's focus and modifier state. Run focus-dependent interactions sequentially, and await each press before changing focus or navigating. If another task moves focus or the runner reloads during a press, its remaining events follow the browser's current focus, including during headed watch updates. Run invalidation drops queued presses that have not started; it cannot cancel or roll back native input already in progress.

## press

- **Type:** `(key: string, options?: BrowserKeyboardPressOptions) => Promise<void>`

Press and release a key, or a combination such as `Shift+ArrowLeft` or `ControlOrMeta+A`. With the Playwright provider, key names follow [Playwright keyboard syntax](https://playwright.dev/docs/api/class-keyboard#keyboard-press). `ControlOrMeta` resolves to `Meta` on macOS and `Control` on other platforms. Modifiers in a combination are released after the key press.

`BrowserKeyboardPressOptions` accepts:

- `delay?: number`: Time in milliseconds between keydown and keyup. Defaults to `0`.

```ts
import { page } from '@rstest/browser';

await page.getByLabel('Search').focus();
await page.keyboard.press('ControlOrMeta+A');
await page.keyboard.press('Backspace');
await page.keyboard.press('Escape', { delay: 20 });
```

## tab

- **Type:** `(options?: BrowserKeyboardTabOptions) => Promise<void>`

Move focus using native Tab navigation. The browser determines focus order, including skipping disabled elements.

`BrowserKeyboardTabOptions` accepts:

- `shift?: boolean`: Move backwards with Shift+Tab. Defaults to `false`.

```ts
import { page } from '@rstest/browser';
import { expect } from '@rstest/core';

await page.getByLabel('Email').focus();
await page.keyboard.tab();
await expect.element(page.getByLabel('Password')).toBeFocused();
await page.keyboard.tab({ shift: true });
await expect.element(page.getByLabel('Email')).toBeFocused();
```

`tab()` is equivalent to `press('Tab')`; `tab({ shift: true })` is equivalent to `press('Shift+Tab')`. Focus can leave a component or iframe when navigation reaches its boundary, following browser behavior.

`BrowserKeyboard`, `BrowserKeyboardPressOptions`, and `BrowserKeyboardTabOptions` are exported from `@rstest/browser`.