Dictation & audio files

Use Quick Record for live dictation and Upload File for recordings you already have. Both can use your selected speech engine.

Record from another app#

Set your microphone in Settings → Recording and configure Settings → Hotkeys. Focus the app where you want the result, then use the recording shortcut.

• Toggle: press once to start and again to stop.
• Push and hold: hold the shortcut while speaking; release it to stop.

After stopping, OpenWhisper transcribes the recording and follows your clipboard and auto-paste preferences. Supported engines show a live preview while you speak.

Default shortcuts#

You can change these in Settings → Hotkeys.

If your keyboard has no number pad, assign a different recording shortcut. Profile-specific shortcuts always toggle, independently of the standard recording mode.

Configure auto-paste#

Use Settings → General to control clipboard and auto-paste behavior. On macOS, Set up auto-paste identifies the app that needs Accessibility permission.

On X11 Linux, global hotkeys also reach the focused application. Omarchy supports desktop shortcuts and auto-paste on supported Hyprland versions. Other native Wayland desktops use focused-window shortcuts and manual paste.

If a shortcut or auto-paste fails, try the in-app recording button and manual copy first, then follow Troubleshooting.

Transcribe existing files#

Open Upload File and select one audio file or a queue. You can keep results separate or combine them. Upload results remain in the app with Copy buttons; they do not follow dictation's automatic paste behavior.

Choose an engine that supports uploads in Choosing a model. Using a cloud engine sends the audio to that provider.

Find and export past transcripts#

History lets you search saved transcripts, retranscribe recordings, and export Markdown, plain text, or JSON. Export dialogs support selection, date filters, and combined or separate files.

Use plain text for a readable transcript, Markdown when you want formatting, and JSON when you need structured saved fields. Exports reference recordings where applicable; they do not include the audio files and are not a portable recording backup.

See the export format reference for the exact fields included in each format.