Add support for ctrl, shift and alt keys.

Add support for using ctrl, shift and alt as key modifiers. So you can now achieve ctrl+c by using "<leftCtrlOn>c<leftCtrlOff>".

Updated documentation for new key stroke tokens.

builder/parallels/common/step_type_boot_command.go

@@ -186,6 +186,13 @@ func scancodes(message string) []string {
 	special["<pageUp>"] = []string{"49", "c9"}
 	special["<pageDown>"] = []string{"51", "d1"}
 
+	special["<leftAlt>"] = []string{"38", "b8"}
+	special["<leftCtrl>"] = []string{"1d", "9d"}
+	special["<leftShift>"] = []string{"2a", "aa"}
+	special["<rightAlt>"] = []string{"e038", "e0b8"}
+	special["<rightCtrl>"] = []string{"e01d", "e09d"}
+	special["<rightShift>"] = []string{"36", "b6"}
+
 	shiftedChars := "!@#$%^&*()_+{}:\"~|<>?"
 
 	scancodeIndex := make(map[string]uint)
@@ -214,6 +221,78 @@ func scancodes(message string) []string {
 	for len(message) > 0 {
 		var scancode []string
 
+		if strings.HasPrefix(message, "<leftAltOn>") {
+			scancode = []string{"38"}
+			message = message[len("<leftAltOn>"):]
+			log.Printf("Special code '<leftAltOn>' found, replacing with: 38")
+		}
+
+		if strings.HasPrefix(message, "<leftCtrlOn>") {
+			scancode = []string{"1d"}
+			message = message[len("<leftCtrlOn>"):]
+			log.Printf("Special code '<leftCtrlOn>' found, replacing with: 1d")
+		}
+
+		if strings.HasPrefix(message, "<leftShiftOn>") {
+			scancode = []string{"2a"}
+			message = message[len("<leftShiftOn>"):]
+			log.Printf("Special code '<leftShiftOn>' found, replacing with: 2a")
+		}
+
+		if strings.HasPrefix(message, "<leftAltOff>") {
+			scancode = []string{"b8"}
+			message = message[len("<leftAltOff>"):]
+			log.Printf("Special code '<leftAltOff>' found, replacing with: b8")
+		}
+
+		if strings.HasPrefix(message, "<leftCtrlOff>") {
+			scancode = []string{"9d"}
+			message = message[len("<leftCtrlOff>"):]
+			log.Printf("Special code '<leftCtrlOff>' found, replacing with: 9d")
+		}
+
+		if strings.HasPrefix(message, "<leftShiftOff>") {
+			scancode = []string{"aa"}
+			message = message[len("<leftShiftOff>"):]
+			log.Printf("Special code '<leftShiftOff>' found, replacing with: aa")
+		}
+
+		if strings.HasPrefix(message, "<rightAltOn>") {
+			scancode = []string{"e038"}
+			message = message[len("<rightAltOn>"):]
+			log.Printf("Special code '<rightAltOn>' found, replacing with: e038")
+		}
+
+		if strings.HasPrefix(message, "<rightCtrlOn>") {
+			scancode = []string{"e01d"}
+			message = message[len("<rightCtrlOn>"):]
+			log.Printf("Special code '<rightCtrlOn>' found, replacing with: e01d")
+		}
+
+		if strings.HasPrefix(message, "<rightShiftOn>") {
+			scancode = []string{"36"}
+			message = message[len("<rightShiftOn>"):]
+			log.Printf("Special code '<rightShiftOn>' found, replacing with: 36")
+		}
+
+		if strings.HasPrefix(message, "<rightAltOff>") {
+			scancode = []string{"e0b8"}
+			message = message[len("<rightAltOff>"):]
+			log.Printf("Special code '<rightAltOff>' found, replacing with: e0b8")
+		}
+
+		if strings.HasPrefix(message, "<rightCtrlOff>") {
+			scancode = []string{"e09d"}
+			message = message[len("<rightCtrlOff>"):]
+			log.Printf("Special code '<rightCtrlOff>' found, replacing with: e09d")
+		}
+
+		if strings.HasPrefix(message, "<rightShiftOff>") {
+			scancode = []string{"b6"}
+			message = message[len("<rightShiftOff>"):]
+			log.Printf("Special code '<rightShiftOff>' found, replacing with: b6")
+		}
+
 		if strings.HasPrefix(message, "<wait>") {
 			log.Printf("Special code <wait> found, will sleep 1 second at this point.")
 			scancode = []string{"wait"}

builder/qemu/step_type_boot_command.go

@@ -136,6 +136,12 @@ func vncSendString(c *vnc.ClientConn, original string) {
 	special["<end>"] = 0xFF57
 	special["<pageUp>"] = 0xFF55
 	special["<pageDown>"] = 0xFF56
+	special["<leftAlt>"] = 0xFFE9
+	special["<leftCtrl>"] = 0xFFE3
+	special["<leftShift>"] = 0xFFE1
+	special["<rightAlt>"] = 0xFFEA
+	special["<rightCtrl>"] = 0xFFE4
+	special["<rightShift>"] = 0xFFE2
 
 	shiftedChars := "~!@#$%^&*()_+{}|:\"<>?"
 
@@ -144,6 +150,174 @@ func vncSendString(c *vnc.ClientConn, original string) {
 		var keyCode uint32
 		keyShift := false
 
+		if strings.HasPrefix(original, "<leftAltOn>") {
+			keyCode = special["<leftAlt>"]
+			original = original[len("<leftAltOn>"):]
+			log.Printf("Special code '<leftAltOn>' found, replacing with: %s", keyCode)
+
+			c.KeyEvent(keyCode, true)
+			time.Sleep(time.Second / 10)
+
+			// qemu is picky, so no matter what, wait a small period
+			time.Sleep(100 * time.Millisecond)
+
+			continue
+		}
+
+		if strings.HasPrefix(original, "<leftCtrlOn>") {
+			keyCode = special["<leftCtrlOn>"]
+			original = original[len("<leftCtrlOn>"):]
+			log.Printf("Special code '<leftCtrlOn>' found, replacing with: %s", keyCode)
+
+			c.KeyEvent(keyCode, true)
+			time.Sleep(time.Second / 10)
+
+			// qemu is picky, so no matter what, wait a small period
+			time.Sleep(100 * time.Millisecond)
+
+			continue
+		}
+
+		if strings.HasPrefix(original, "<leftShiftOn>") {
+			keyCode = special["<leftShiftOn>"]
+			original = original[len("<leftShiftOn>"):]
+			log.Printf("Special code '<leftShiftOn>' found, replacing with: %s", keyCode)
+
+			c.KeyEvent(keyCode, true)
+			time.Sleep(time.Second / 10)
+
+			// qemu is picky, so no matter what, wait a small period
+			time.Sleep(100 * time.Millisecond)
+
+			continue
+		}
+
+		if strings.HasPrefix(original, "<leftAltOff>") {
+			keyCode = special["<leftAltOff>"]
+			original = original[len("<leftAltOff>"):]
+			log.Printf("Special code '<leftAltOff>' found, replacing with: %s", keyCode)
+
+			c.KeyEvent(keyCode, false)
+			time.Sleep(time.Second / 10)
+
+			// qemu is picky, so no matter what, wait a small period
+			time.Sleep(100 * time.Millisecond)
+
+			continue
+		}
+
+		if strings.HasPrefix(original, "<leftCtrlOff>") {
+			keyCode = special["<leftCtrlOff>"]
+			original = original[len("<leftCtrlOff>"):]
+			log.Printf("Special code '<leftCtrlOff>' found, replacing with: %s", keyCode)
+
+			c.KeyEvent(keyCode, false)
+			time.Sleep(time.Second / 10)
+
+			// qemu is picky, so no matter what, wait a small period
+			time.Sleep(100 * time.Millisecond)
+
+			continue
+		}
+
+		if strings.HasPrefix(original, "<leftShiftOff>") {
+			keyCode = special["<leftShiftOff>"]
+			original = original[len("<leftShiftOff>"):]
+			log.Printf("Special code '<leftShiftOff>' found, replacing with: %s", keyCode)
+
+			c.KeyEvent(keyCode, false)
+			time.Sleep(time.Second / 10)
+
+			// qemu is picky, so no matter what, wait a small period
+			time.Sleep(100 * time.Millisecond)
+
+			continue
+		}
+
+		if strings.HasPrefix(original, "<rightAltOn>") {
+			keyCode = special["<rightAltOn>"]
+			original = original[len("<rightAltOn>"):]
+			log.Printf("Special code '<rightAltOn>' found, replacing with: %s", keyCode)
+
+			c.KeyEvent(keyCode, true)
+			time.Sleep(time.Second / 10)
+
+			// qemu is picky, so no matter what, wait a small period
+			time.Sleep(100 * time.Millisecond)
+
+			continue
+		}
+
+		if strings.HasPrefix(original, "<rightCtrlOn>") {
+			keyCode = special["<rightCtrlOn>"]
+			original = original[len("<rightCtrlOn>"):]
+			log.Printf("Special code '<rightCtrlOn>' found, replacing with: %s", keyCode)
+
+			c.KeyEvent(keyCode, true)
+			time.Sleep(time.Second / 10)
+
+			// qemu is picky, so no matter what, wait a small period
+			time.Sleep(100 * time.Millisecond)
+
+			continue
+		}
+
+		if strings.HasPrefix(original, "<rightShiftOn>") {
+			keyCode = special["<rightShiftOn>"]
+			original = original[len("<rightShiftOn>"):]
+			log.Printf("Special code '<rightShiftOn>' found, replacing with: %s", keyCode)
+
+			c.KeyEvent(keyCode, true)
+			time.Sleep(time.Second / 10)
+
+			// qemu is picky, so no matter what, wait a small period
+			time.Sleep(100 * time.Millisecond)
+
+			continue
+		}
+
+		if strings.HasPrefix(original, "<rightAltOff>") {
+			keyCode = special["<rightAltOff>"]
+			original = original[len("<rightAltOff>"):]
+			log.Printf("Special code '<rightAltOff>' found, replacing with: %s", keyCode)
+
+			c.KeyEvent(keyCode, false)
+			time.Sleep(time.Second / 10)
+
+			// qemu is picky, so no matter what, wait a small period
+			time.Sleep(100 * time.Millisecond)
+
+			continue
+		}
+
+		if strings.HasPrefix(original, "<rightCtrlOff>") {
+			keyCode = special["<rightCtrlOff>"]
+			original = original[len("<rightCtrlOff>"):]
+			log.Printf("Special code '<rightCtrlOff>' found, replacing with: %s", keyCode)
+
+			c.KeyEvent(keyCode, false)
+			time.Sleep(time.Second / 10)
+
+			// qemu is picky, so no matter what, wait a small period
+			time.Sleep(100 * time.Millisecond)
+
+			continue
+		}
+
+		if strings.HasPrefix(original, "<rightShiftOff>") {
+			keyCode = special["<rightShiftOff>"]
+			original = original[len("<rightShiftOff>"):]
+			log.Printf("Special code '<rightShiftOff>' found, replacing with: %s", keyCode)
+
+			c.KeyEvent(keyCode, false)
+			time.Sleep(time.Second / 10)
+
+			// qemu is picky, so no matter what, wait a small period
+			time.Sleep(100 * time.Millisecond)
+
+			continue
+		}
+
 		if strings.HasPrefix(original, "<wait>") {
 			log.Printf("Special code '<wait>' found, sleeping one second")
 			time.Sleep(1 * time.Second)

builder/virtualbox/common/step_type_boot_command.go

@@ -141,6 +141,12 @@ func scancodes(message string) []string {
 	special["<end>"] = []string{"4f", "cf"}
 	special["<pageUp>"] = []string{"49", "c9"}
 	special["<pageDown>"] = []string{"51", "d1"}
+	special["<leftAlt>"] = []string{"38", "b8"}
+	special["<leftCtrl>"] = []string{"1d", "9d"}
+	special["<leftShift>"] = []string{"2a", "aa"}
+	special["<rightAlt>"] = []string{"e038", "e0b8"}
+	special["<rightCtrl>"] = []string{"e01d", "e09d"}
+	special["<rightShift>"] = []string{"36", "b6"}
 
 	shiftedChars := "~!@#$%^&*()_+{}|:\"<>?"
 
@@ -170,6 +176,78 @@ func scancodes(message string) []string {
 	for len(message) > 0 {
 		var scancode []string
 
+		if strings.HasPrefix(message, "<leftAltOn>") {
+			scancode = []string{"38"}
+			message = message[len("<leftAltOn>"):]
+			log.Printf("Special code '<leftAltOn>' found, replacing with: 38")
+		}
+
+		if strings.HasPrefix(message, "<leftCtrlOn>") {
+			scancode = []string{"1d"}
+			message = message[len("<leftCtrlOn>"):]
+			log.Printf("Special code '<leftCtrlOn>' found, replacing with: 1d")
+		}
+
+		if strings.HasPrefix(message, "<leftShiftOn>") {
+			scancode = []string{"2a"}
+			message = message[len("<leftShiftOn>"):]
+			log.Printf("Special code '<leftShiftOn>' found, replacing with: 2a")
+		}
+
+		if strings.HasPrefix(message, "<leftAltOff>") {
+			scancode = []string{"b8"}
+			message = message[len("<leftAltOff>"):]
+			log.Printf("Special code '<leftAltOff>' found, replacing with: b8")
+		}
+
+		if strings.HasPrefix(message, "<leftCtrlOff>") {
+			scancode = []string{"9d"}
+			message = message[len("<leftCtrlOff>"):]
+			log.Printf("Special code '<leftCtrlOff>' found, replacing with: 9d")
+		}
+
+		if strings.HasPrefix(message, "<leftShiftOff>") {
+			scancode = []string{"aa"}
+			message = message[len("<leftShiftOff>"):]
+			log.Printf("Special code '<leftShiftOff>' found, replacing with: aa")
+		}
+
+		if strings.HasPrefix(message, "<rightAltOn>") {
+			scancode = []string{"e038"}
+			message = message[len("<rightAltOn>"):]
+			log.Printf("Special code '<rightAltOn>' found, replacing with: e038")
+		}
+
+		if strings.HasPrefix(message, "<rightCtrlOn>") {
+			scancode = []string{"e01d"}
+			message = message[len("<rightCtrlOn>"):]
+			log.Printf("Special code '<rightCtrlOn>' found, replacing with: e01d")
+		}
+
+		if strings.HasPrefix(message, "<rightShiftOn>") {
+			scancode = []string{"36"}
+			message = message[len("<rightShiftOn>"):]
+			log.Printf("Special code '<rightShiftOn>' found, replacing with: 36")
+		}
+
+		if strings.HasPrefix(message, "<rightAltOff>") {
+			scancode = []string{"e0b8"}
+			message = message[len("<rightAltOff>"):]
+			log.Printf("Special code '<rightAltOff>' found, replacing with: e0b8")
+		}
+
+		if strings.HasPrefix(message, "<rightCtrlOff>") {
+			scancode = []string{"e09d"}
+			message = message[len("<rightCtrlOff>"):]
+			log.Printf("Special code '<rightCtrlOff>' found, replacing with: e09d")
+		}
+
+		if strings.HasPrefix(message, "<rightShiftOff>") {
+			scancode = []string{"b6"}
+			message = message[len("<rightShiftOff>"):]
+			log.Printf("Special code '<rightShiftOff>' found, replacing with: b6")
+		}
+
 		if strings.HasPrefix(message, "<wait>") {
 			log.Printf("Special code <wait> found, will sleep 1 second at this point.")
 			scancode = []string{"wait"}

builder/vmware/common/step_type_boot_command.go

@@ -159,6 +159,12 @@ func vncSendString(c *vnc.ClientConn, original string) {
 	special["<end>"] = 0xFF57
 	special["<pageUp>"] = 0xFF55
 	special["<pageDown>"] = 0xFF56
+	special["<leftAlt>"] = 0xFFE9
+	special["<leftCtrl>"] = 0xFFE3
+	special["<leftShift>"] = 0xFFE1
+	special["<rightAlt>"] = 0xFFEA
+	special["<rightCtrl>"] = 0xFFE4
+	special["<rightShift>"] = 0xFFE2
 
 	shiftedChars := "~!@#$%^&*()_+{}|:\"<>?"
 
@@ -167,6 +173,138 @@ func vncSendString(c *vnc.ClientConn, original string) {
 		var keyCode uint32
 		keyShift := false
 
+		if strings.HasPrefix(original, "<leftAltOn>") {
+			keyCode = special["<leftAlt>"]
+			original = original[len("<leftAltOn>"):]
+			log.Printf("Special code '<leftAltOn>' found, replacing with: %s", keyCode)
+
+			c.KeyEvent(keyCode, true)
+			time.Sleep(time.Second / 10)
+
+			continue
+		}
+
+		if strings.HasPrefix(original, "<leftCtrlOn>") {
+			keyCode = special["<leftCtrlOn>"]
+			original = original[len("<leftCtrlOn>"):]
+			log.Printf("Special code '<leftCtrlOn>' found, replacing with: %s", keyCode)
+
+			c.KeyEvent(keyCode, true)
+			time.Sleep(time.Second / 10)
+
+			continue
+		}
+
+		if strings.HasPrefix(original, "<leftShiftOn>") {
+			keyCode = special["<leftShiftOn>"]
+			original = original[len("<leftShiftOn>"):]
+			log.Printf("Special code '<leftShiftOn>' found, replacing with: %s", keyCode)
+
+			c.KeyEvent(keyCode, true)
+			time.Sleep(time.Second / 10)
+
+			continue
+		}
+
+		if strings.HasPrefix(original, "<leftAltOff>") {
+			keyCode = special["<leftAltOff>"]
+			original = original[len("<leftAltOff>"):]
+			log.Printf("Special code '<leftAltOff>' found, replacing with: %s", keyCode)
+
+			c.KeyEvent(keyCode, false)
+			time.Sleep(time.Second / 10)
+
+			continue
+		}
+
+		if strings.HasPrefix(original, "<leftCtrlOff>") {
+			keyCode = special["<leftCtrlOff>"]
+			original = original[len("<leftCtrlOff>"):]
+			log.Printf("Special code '<leftCtrlOff>' found, replacing with: %s", keyCode)
+
+			c.KeyEvent(keyCode, false)
+			time.Sleep(time.Second / 10)
+
+			continue
+		}
+
+		if strings.HasPrefix(original, "<leftShiftOff>") {
+			keyCode = special["<leftShiftOff>"]
+			original = original[len("<leftShiftOff>"):]
+			log.Printf("Special code '<leftShiftOff>' found, replacing with: %s", keyCode)
+
+			c.KeyEvent(keyCode, false)
+			time.Sleep(time.Second / 10)
+
+			continue
+		}
+
+		if strings.HasPrefix(original, "<rightAltOn>") {
+			keyCode = special["<rightAltOn>"]
+			original = original[len("<rightAltOn>"):]
+			log.Printf("Special code '<rightAltOn>' found, replacing with: %s", keyCode)
+
+			c.KeyEvent(keyCode, true)
+			time.Sleep(time.Second / 10)
+
+			continue
+		}
+
+		if strings.HasPrefix(original, "<rightCtrlOn>") {
+			keyCode = special["<rightCtrlOn>"]
+			original = original[len("<rightCtrlOn>"):]
+			log.Printf("Special code '<rightCtrlOn>' found, replacing with: %s", keyCode)
+
+			c.KeyEvent(keyCode, true)
+			time.Sleep(time.Second / 10)
+
+			continue
+		}
+
+		if strings.HasPrefix(original, "<rightShiftOn>") {
+			keyCode = special["<rightShiftOn>"]
+			original = original[len("<rightShiftOn>"):]
+			log.Printf("Special code '<rightShiftOn>' found, replacing with: %s", keyCode)
+
+			c.KeyEvent(keyCode, true)
+			time.Sleep(time.Second / 10)
+
+			continue
+		}
+
+		if strings.HasPrefix(original, "<rightAltOff>") {
+			keyCode = special["<rightAltOff>"]
+			original = original[len("<rightAltOff>"):]
+			log.Printf("Special code '<rightAltOff>' found, replacing with: %s", keyCode)
+
+			c.KeyEvent(keyCode, false)
+			time.Sleep(time.Second / 10)
+
+			continue
+		}
+
+		if strings.HasPrefix(original, "<rightCtrlOff>") {
+			keyCode = special["<rightCtrlOff>"]
+			original = original[len("<rightCtrlOff>"):]
+			log.Printf("Special code '<rightCtrlOff>' found, replacing with: %s", keyCode)
+
+			c.KeyEvent(keyCode, false)
+			time.Sleep(time.Second / 10)
+
+			continue
+		}
+
+		if strings.HasPrefix(original, "<rightShiftOff>") {
+			keyCode = special["<rightShiftOff>"]
+			original = original[len("<rightShiftOff>"):]
+			log.Printf("Special code '<rightShiftOff>' found, replacing with: %s", keyCode)
+
+			c.KeyEvent(keyCode, false)
+			time.Sleep(time.Second / 10)
+
+			continue
+		}
+
 		if strings.HasPrefix(original, "<wait>") {
 			log.Printf("Special code '<wait>' found, sleeping one second")
 			time.Sleep(1 * time.Second)

website/source/docs/builders/parallels-iso.html.md

@@ -256,10 +256,30 @@ proper key:
 
 -   `<pageUp>` `<pageDown>` - Simulates pressing the page up and page down keys.
 
+-   `<leftAlt>` `<rightAlt>`  - Simulates pressing the alt key.
+
+-   `<leftCtrl>` `<rightCtrl>` - Simulates pressing the ctrl key.
+
+-   `<leftShift>` `<rightShift>` - Simulates pressing the shift key.
+
+-   `<leftAltOn>` `<rightAltOn>`  - Simulates pressing and holding the alt key.
+
+-   `<leftCtrlOn>` `<rightCtrlOn>` - Simulates pressing and holding the ctrl key. 
+
+-   `<leftShiftOn>` `<rightShiftOn>` - Simulates pressing and holding the shift key.
+
+-   `<leftAltOff>` `<rightAltOff>`  - Simulates releasing a held alt key.
+
+-   `<leftCtrlOff>` `<rightCtrlOff>` - Simulates releasing a held ctrl key.
+
+-   `<leftShiftOff>` `<rightShiftOff>` - Simulates releasing a held shift key.
+
 -   `<wait>` `<wait5>` `<wait10>` - Adds a 1, 5 or 10 second pause before
     sending any additional keys. This is useful if you have to generally wait
     for the UI to update before typing more.
 
+When using modifier keys `ctrl`, `alt`, `shift` ensure that you release them, otherwise they will be held down until the machine reboots. Use lowercase characters as well inside modifiers. For example: to simulate ctrl+c use `<leftCtrlOn>c<leftCtrlOff>`.
+
 In addition to the special keys, each command to type is treated as a
 [configuration template](/docs/templates/configuration-templates.html). The
 available variables are:

website/source/docs/builders/qemu.html.md

@@ -354,6 +354,24 @@ by the proper key:
 
 -   `<pageUp>` `<pageDown>` - Simulates pressing the page up and page down keys.
 
+-   `<leftAlt>` `<rightAlt>`  - Simulates pressing the alt key.
+
+-   `<leftCtrl>` `<rightCtrl>` - Simulates pressing the ctrl key.
+
+-   `<leftShift>` `<rightShift>` - Simulates pressing the shift key.
+
+-   `<leftAltOn>` `<rightAltOn>`  - Simulates pressing and holding the alt key.
+
+-   `<leftCtrlOn>` `<rightCtrlOn>` - Simulates pressing and holding the ctrl key. 
+
+-   `<leftShiftOn>` `<rightShiftOn>` - Simulates pressing and holding the shift key.
+
+-   `<leftAltOff>` `<rightAltOff>`  - Simulates releasing a held alt key.
+
+-   `<leftCtrlOff>` `<rightCtrlOff>` - Simulates releasing a held ctrl key.
+
+-   `<leftShiftOff>` `<rightShiftOff>` - Simulates releasing a held shift key.
+
 -   `<wait>` `<wait5>` `<wait10>` - Adds a 1, 5 or 10 second pause before
     sending any additional keys. This is useful if you have to generally wait
     for the UI to update before typing more.
@@ -361,6 +379,8 @@ by the proper key:
 -   `<waitXX> ` - Add user defined time.Duration pause before sending any
     additional keys. For example `<wait10m>` or `<wait1m20s>`
 
+When using modifier keys `ctrl`, `alt`, `shift` ensure that you release them, otherwise they will be held down until the machine reboots. Use lowercase characters as well inside modifiers. For example: to simulate ctrl+c use `<leftCtrlOn>c<leftCtrlOff>`.
+
 In addition to the special keys, each command to type is treated as a
 [configuration template](/docs/templates/configuration-templates.html). The
 available variables are:

website/source/docs/builders/virtualbox-iso.html.md

@@ -290,10 +290,30 @@ by the proper key:
 
 -   `<pageUp>` `<pageDown>` - Simulates pressing the page up and page down keys.
 
+-   `<leftAlt>` `<rightAlt>`  - Simulates pressing the alt key.
+
+-   `<leftCtrl>` `<rightCtrl>` - Simulates pressing the ctrl key.
+
+-   `<leftShift>` `<rightShift>` - Simulates pressing the shift key.
+
+-   `<leftAltOn>` `<rightAltOn>`  - Simulates pressing and holding the alt key.
+
+-   `<leftCtrlOn>` `<rightCtrlOn>` - Simulates pressing and holding the ctrl key. 
+
+-   `<leftShiftOn>` `<rightShiftOn>` - Simulates pressing and holding the shift key.
+
+-   `<leftAltOff>` `<rightAltOff>`  - Simulates releasing a held alt key.
+
+-   `<leftCtrlOff>` `<rightCtrlOff>` - Simulates releasing a held ctrl key.
+
+-   `<leftShiftOff>` `<rightShiftOff>` - Simulates releasing a held shift key.
+
 -   `<wait>` `<wait5>` `<wait10>` - Adds a 1, 5 or 10 second pause before
     sending any additional keys. This is useful if you have to generally wait
     for the UI to update before typing more.
 
+When using modifier keys `ctrl`, `alt`, `shift` ensure that you release them, otherwise they will be held down until the machine reboots. Use lowercase characters as well inside modifiers. For example: to simulate ctrl+c use `<leftCtrlOn>c<leftCtrlOff>`.
+
 In addition to the special keys, each command to type is treated as a
 [configuration template](/docs/templates/configuration-templates.html). The
 available variables are:

website/source/docs/builders/vmware-iso.html.md

@@ -314,10 +314,30 @@ by the proper key:
 
 -   `<pageUp>` `<pageDown>` - Simulates pressing the page up and page down keys.
 
+-   `<leftAlt>` `<rightAlt>`  - Simulates pressing the alt key.
+
+-   `<leftCtrl>` `<rightCtrl>` - Simulates pressing the ctrl key.
+
+-   `<leftShift>` `<rightShift>` - Simulates pressing the shift key.
+
+-   `<leftAltOn>` `<rightAltOn>`  - Simulates pressing and holding the alt key.
+
+-   `<leftCtrlOn>` `<rightCtrlOn>` - Simulates pressing and holding the ctrl key. 
+
+-   `<leftShiftOn>` `<rightShiftOn>` - Simulates pressing and holding the shift key.
+
+-   `<leftAltOff>` `<rightAltOff>`  - Simulates releasing a held alt key.
+
+-   `<leftCtrlOff>` `<rightCtrlOff>` - Simulates releasing a held ctrl key.
+
+-   `<leftShiftOff>` `<rightShiftOff>` - Simulates releasing a held shift key.
+
 -   `<wait>` `<wait5>` `<wait10>` - Adds a 1, 5 or 10 second pause before
     sending any additional keys. This is useful if you have to generally wait
     for the UI to update before typing more.
 
+When using modifier keys `ctrl`, `alt`, `shift` ensure that you release them, otherwise they will be held down until the machine reboots. Use lowercase characters as well inside modifiers. For example: to simulate ctrl+c use `<leftCtrlOn>c<leftCtrlOff>`.
+
 In addition to the special keys, each command to type is treated as a
 [configuration template](/docs/templates/configuration-templates.html). The
 available variables are: