> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.openwhispr.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Dictation

> Use voice-to-text dictation with a global hotkey in any app.

OpenWhispr captures your voice through a global hotkey and pastes the transcribed text at your cursor. It works in any app — email, chat, code editors, documents.

## How it works

1. Press your hotkey (Globe/Fn on macOS, Ctrl+Win/Ctrl+Super on Windows and Linux)
2. Speak naturally — the panel shows a recording animation
3. Press the hotkey again to stop
4. Text is transcribed and automatically pasted at your cursor

## Hotkey options

Change your hotkey in **Settings > Hotkey**. You can use any single key or compound combinations like `Ctrl+Shift+K`.

Each action's hotkey supports **multiple bindings** — click **Add another hotkey** to trigger the same action (dictation, agent, voice agent, or meeting) from more than one key or keyboard.

| Platform | Default      | Notes                                                   |
| -------- | ------------ | ------------------------------------------------------- |
| macOS    | Globe/Fn key | Globe key uses the bundled native listener              |
| Windows  | Ctrl+Win     | Supports push-to-talk (hold to record, release to stop) |
| Linux    | Ctrl+Super   | GNOME or X11 sessions may fall back to F8/F9            |

## Activation modes

* **Tap-to-talk** — press once to start, press again to stop (default on all platforms)
* **Push-to-talk** — hold to record, release to stop (Windows only, requires native binary)

## Auto-paste

After transcription, text is automatically pasted at your cursor location. This requires:

* **macOS** — Accessibility permission (System Settings > Privacy > Accessibility)
* **Windows** — works out of the box
* **Linux** — native paste binary included; falls back to `xdotool`, `wtype`, or `ydotool`

You can disable auto-paste in settings if you prefer to paste manually with `Ctrl+V`.

## Auto-pause media

OpenWhispr automatically pauses media playback (Spotify, Apple Music, etc.) during dictation and resumes when you're done. Toggle this in **Settings > General**.