[Delays in replacements] Espanso doesn't support replacements which include delays. A solution is to ignore Espanso's own replace and use another tool to inject characters. Similar methods are available for Windows PowerShell using e.g.: (New-Object -ComObject wscript.shell).SendKeys #espanso #python

delays-characters.yml

# Espanso trigger to be used in conjunction with the script test_pynput.py
# Uses the Python pynput library to inject text, instead of Espanso. Enables the 
# addition of pauses (sleep) and <Tab> etc. keys and can include Espanso {{variables}}
# See https://pynput.readthedocs.io/en/latest/keyboard.html#controlling-the-keyboard
# Supports type, tap, press, release, and sleep
# Whilst you can add to the replace:, anything there will be injected AFTER the script's
# output

  - trigger: :delay
    replace: '{{output}}'
    vars:
      - name: trig
        type: echo
        params:
          echo: :delay # This must match the trigger text
      - name: input
        type: echo
        params:
          echo: |      # Amend the contents below to suit, adding variables etc.
            type Hello, World!
            tap enter
            type Pausing for one second
            tap enter
            sleep 1    
            type How are you?
            tap space
            press shift
            type I am a bot
            release shift
            tap enter
            type The trigger was {{trig}}
            tap enter
      - name: output
        type: script
        params:
          args:
            - python
            - '%CONFIG%/scripts/test_pynput.py' 
            - '{{trig}}'
            - '{{input}}'

test_pynput.py

# Place this script "test_pynput.py" in your espanso/scripts directory
# Intended for use with the "Delays in replacements, generic" yml file.
# https://pastebin.com/edit/c4QHdnc8
# Uses the Python pynput library to inject text, instead of Espanso. Enables the 
# addition of pauses (sleep) and <Tab> etc. keys and can include Espanso {{variables}}
# See https://pynput.readthedocs.io/en/latest/keyboard.html#controlling-the-keyboard
# Supports type, tap, press, release, and sleep

# Place this script "test_pynput.py" in your espanso/scripts directory

import argparse, time
from pynput.keyboard import Controller, Key

# Initialize the keyboard controller
keyboard = Controller()

def parse_and_execute_commands(commands):
    lines = commands.strip().splitlines()

    for line in lines:
        line = line.strip()
        if line.startswith('type'):
            text = line[len('type '):].strip()
            keyboard.type(text)
        
        elif line.startswith('tap'):
            key_name = line[len('tap '):].strip().lower()
            key = getattr(Key, key_name, key_name)
            keyboard.tap(key)
        
        elif line.startswith('press'):
            key_name = line[len('press '):].strip().lower()
            key = getattr(Key, key_name, key_name)
            keyboard.press(key)

        elif line.startswith('release'):
            key_name = line[len('release '):].strip().lower()
            key = getattr(Key, key_name, key_name)
            keyboard.release(key)
        
        elif line.startswith('sleep'):
            time_to_sleep = float(line[len('sleep '):].strip())
            time.sleep(time_to_sleep)

def main():
    # Set up argument parsing
    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description="Execute keyboard automation commands.")
    parser.add_argument('trig', type=str, help='The trigger key to simulate.')
    parser.add_argument('input', type=str, help='The input commands to execute.')
    args = parser.parse_args()

    # Press backspace key as many times as the length of trig
    for _ in args.trig: keyboard.tap(Key.backspace)

    # Parse and execute the input commands
    if args.input:
        parse_and_execute_commands(args.input)
    else:
        print("No input provided.")

    # Replace trigger for Espanso to remove after the script
    keyboard.type(args.trig)

if __name__ == "__main__":
    main()

This is now available as an Espanso package.
Install with espanso install delays-characters.