# command_text (client)

Source: https://ref.dm-lang.org/client/var/command_text

### Default value
> null

> [!note]
> 
> In BYOND 4.0 this var is deprecated. The [command](https://ref.dm-lang.org/skin/param/command.md) parameter for an [Input control](https://ref.dm-lang.org/skin/control/input.md) can be set to `!command` (`!` in front of your default command) which does the same thing.

This text is placed onto the command line, to be followed by whatever the user may type. It is usually the name of a verb followed by a space, such as `"say "`. The user can clear this and enter a different command by hitting backspace, escape, delete, or `/`.

```dm
client
   command_text = "say "

   verb/say(T as text)
      world << "[usr] says, '[T]'"
```

It is also possible to turn on macro mode, in which each keypress executes a [keyboard macro](https://ref.dm-lang.org/client/var/script/macro.md), by setting `command_text` to `".alt "`. That stands for the *Alt* key, which can be used to execute macros in normal mode.

This variable could also be used to create a specialized command prompt. For example, a traditional style MUD command-line could be implemented like this:

```dm
client
   command_text = "> "
   verb/command(C as command_text)
      set name = ">"
      usr << "Your command: [C]"
```

This example uses the `command_text` input type, which accepts raw text, with no quoting, escaping, or translating, so that you can invent whatever syntax you want.

### See also
- [arguments (verb)](https://ref.dm-lang.org/verb/arguments/index.md)
- [command parameter](https://ref.dm-lang.org/skin/param/command.md)
- [macros (client script)](https://ref.dm-lang.org/client/var/script/macro.md)
- [Input control (skin)](https://ref.dm-lang.org/skin/control/input.md)
- [command parameter (skin)](https://ref.dm-lang.org/skin/param/command.md)
- [macros (skin)](https://ref.dm-lang.org/skin/macros.md)