Mastering Simulated Keystrokes in XMBC: Hotkeys & Macros Guide

Advanced Tutorial • Compatible with XMBC v2.20.5 • 9 min read

Simulated Keystrokes & Macros Guide - xmousebuttoncontrol.com

While X-Mouse Button Control provides dozens of pre-configured dropdown commands like Copy, Paste, and Play/Pause, its most versatile capability is the Simulated Keystrokes engine. With Simulated Keystrokes, you can transform a single mouse click into complex key combinations, formatted text strings, or custom timed macros.

How to Access Simulated Keystrokes

  1. Open the XMBC Setup window from your system tray.
  2. Select the profile you wish to configure (e.g., Default or a game-specific profile).
  3. Next to your desired mouse button (e.g., Mouse Button 4), click the dropdown menu and select Simulated Keystrokes.
  4. A configuration dialog box will appear with an entry field and several trigger modes.

Understanding the 9 Trigger Methods

XMBC gives you granular control over when and how keys are sent through the "How to send the simulated key strokes" dropdown:

Trigger Method Description Best Used For
1. As mouse button is pressed Sends keystrokes immediately on physical press down. Quick actions, weapon switches, shortcuts.
2. As mouse button is released Sends keystrokes when releasing the physical button. Actions requiring deliberate confirmation.
3. During (press on down, release on up) Holds the keyboard key down as long as the mouse button is held. Push-to-Talk (Discord), ADS (Aim Down Sights), sprint.
4. In another thread as button is pressed Executes asynchronously without waiting for completion. Long macros or delayed sequences.
5. Sticky (toggle on click) First click holds the key down; second click releases it. Continuous run/crouch, sticky modifiers.
6. Repeatedly while the button is down Auto-repeats keystrokes continuously until released. Rapid semi-auto firing, repeated scrolling.

Essential Keystroke Tags & Syntax

To simulate special non-alphanumeric keyboard keys, enclose the key name in curly braces {}:

  • {CTRL}, {LCTRL}, {RCTRL} – Control key
  • {ALT}, {LALT}, {RALT} – Alt key
  • {SHIFT}, {LSHIFT}, {RSHIFT} – Shift key
  • {WIN} – Windows Key
  • {TAB}, {ENTER}, {ESC}, {SPACE} – Utility keys
  • {WAITMS:200} – Pauses macro execution for 200 milliseconds
  • {PRESS} and {RELEASE} – Explicitly triggers down and up events for granular sequence control

Practical Real-World Macro Examples

1. Close Current Tab / Window:

{CTRL}w  – Closes active browser or editor tab instantly.

2. Open Windows Task Manager:

{CTRL}{SHIFT}{ESC}  – Directly launches Task Manager.

3. Push-to-Talk for Discord:

Set the trigger method to Method 3 (During) and enter your Discord push-to-talk key (e.g. {F13} or {F24}). Your microphone remains open only while holding the side mouse button.

4. Rapid Copy-Paste Sequence:

{CTRL}c{WAITMS:50}{CTRL}v  – Copies and immediately duplicates selection.

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