> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/jo-inc/camofox-browser/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Type text

> Type text into an input field or textarea

## Endpoint

```
POST /tabs/:tabId/type
```

Types text into an input element using either an element reference from the snapshot or a CSS selector.

## Authentication

No authentication required. All endpoints use `userId` for session isolation.

## Path parameters

<ParamField path="tabId" type="string" required>
  The unique identifier of the tab
</ParamField>

## Body parameters

<ParamField body="userId" type="string" required>
  User identifier for session isolation
</ParamField>

<ParamField body="ref" type="string">
  Element reference from snapshot (e.g., `e1`, `e2`). Either `ref` or `selector` is required.
</ParamField>

<ParamField body="selector" type="string">
  CSS selector for the target element. Either `ref` or `selector` is required.
</ParamField>

<ParamField body="text" type="string" required>
  The text to type into the element
</ParamField>

<ParamField body="pressEnter" type="boolean" default="false">
  Whether to press Enter after typing the text (useful for search boxes)
</ParamField>

<ParamField body="timeout" type="integer" default="10000">
  Maximum time in milliseconds to wait for the element
</ParamField>

## Response

<ResponseField name="ok" type="boolean">
  Always `true` on success
</ResponseField>

## Behavior

The `/type` endpoint uses Playwright's `.fill()` method, which:

1. Clears the existing value in the input field
2. Types the new text
3. Triggers appropriate input events (`input`, `change`, etc.)
4. Works with `<input>`, `<textarea>`, and `contenteditable` elements

If `pressEnter` is true, the endpoint will additionally call `/press` with `key=Enter` after typing.

## Special characters

The `text` parameter supports all Unicode characters. For special keys (Tab, Escape, Arrow keys, etc.), use the `/press` endpoint instead.

## Error codes

* `400` - Missing required parameter (`userId`, `text`, or both `ref` and `selector`)
* `404` - Tab not found
* `500` - Type failed (element not found, timeout, unknown ref)

## Error messages

* **Unknown ref**: `Unknown ref: e99`
* **Element not found**: `Timeout 10000ms exceeded`
* **Element not editable**: `Element is not an input, textarea, or contenteditable`

## Examples

### Type into search box by reference

```bash theme={null}
curl -X POST http://localhost:9377/tabs/abc123/type \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "userId": "agent1",
    "ref": "e3",
    "text": "headless browser automation"
  }'
```

```json theme={null}
{
  "ok": true
}
```

### Type and submit search

```bash theme={null}
curl -X POST http://localhost:9377/tabs/abc123/type \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "userId": "agent1",
    "ref": "e3",
    "text": "weather forecast",
    "pressEnter": true
  }'
```

```json theme={null}
{
  "ok": true
}
```

### Type by CSS selector

```bash theme={null}
curl -X POST http://localhost:9377/tabs/abc123/type \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "userId": "agent1",
    "selector": "input[name=email]",
    "text": "user@example.com"
  }'
```

### Type with custom timeout

```bash theme={null}
curl -X POST http://localhost:9377/tabs/abc123/type \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "userId": "agent1",
    "ref": "e5",
    "text": "delayed input",
    "timeout": 15000
  }'
```

## Related endpoints

* **POST /tabs/:tabId/press** - Press special keys (Enter, Tab, Escape, etc.)
* **POST /tabs/:tabId/click** - Click an element before typing
* **GET /tabs/:tabId/snapshot** - Get element references for interactive elements

## Tab locking

Type operations are serialized per tab to prevent race conditions. If another operation is in progress, the request will wait up to 30 seconds before proceeding.

## Best practices

1. Always call `/snapshot` after navigation to get fresh element refs
2. Use `ref` (not `selector`) when possible - refs target semantic roles (textbox, searchbox)
3. For search forms, use `pressEnter: true` instead of separate click on submit button
4. Clear existing values are automatically cleared before typing
5. For multi-step forms, wait for page ready after each submit