Remote engines

Use another computer's OpenWhisper speech engine from your laptop or another client. Both computers run OpenWhisper; the host supplies the model and transcription hardware.

Prepare the host#

On the computer with the engine:

1. Choose and download a working speech model and its runtime.
2. Open Settings → Dictation → Remote engine.
3. Enable Share this computer's engine and choose Pair a device.
4. Note the host address and six-digit pairing code. Allow OpenWhisper through the firewall if Windows asks.

Keep the host running and reachable while the client uses it.

Pair the client#

On the other computer, open the same Remote engine settings page. Enter the host address and code, then choose Pair. Confirm that both screens display the same identity code.

Choose Use for dictation, or select Remote computer as the recording engine. The host's selected engine handles transcription; the client exposes its supported language choices and preview behavior.

Use meetings and host models#

For meetings, choose Remote computer under Settings → Meeting Mode → Voice & speakers → Speech engine. The host model must support meetings.

Manage host models lets a client choose or download a host model and install speech runtimes when the host has enabled Allow paired computers to manage models.

Choose where records are kept#

Use Settings → Dictation → Remote engine → Where records are kept to choose This computer, the host, or Both. This computer is the default.

Records are saved on the client first, then transferred when host storage is enabled. Interrupted transfers resume when the host becomes reachable. This storage choice is separate from permission for a host to query the client's history.

Audio goes to the host for transcription. The connection is encrypted and limited to authorized computers. You can revoke a computer's access under Paired computers.

Connect away from home#

Install Tailscale on both computers. Hosts on your tailnet appear in the app. Computers on the same Tailscale account can connect without a pairing code when the host allows it.

The host still needs to be awake, running OpenWhisper, and reachable. Follow Troubleshooting if the connection fails.