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

# Getting Started

> Learn the different ways to open and interact with Alter on your Mac

<Info>
  **New to Alter?** This guide covers the three main ways to open and use Alter on your Mac.
</Info>

## Three Ways to Open Alter

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="The Notch" icon="computer-mouse">
    Hover over your Mac's camera notch
  </Card>

  <Card title="Keyboard Shortcut" icon="keyboard">
    Press `Alt + Space` (or your custom hotkey)
  </Card>

  <Card title="Voice Command" icon="microphone">
    Hold `Fn` key and speak
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

### The Notch

The easiest way to open Alter is to hover your mouse over the camera notch at the top of your screen.

<Frame>
  ![Open Alter by hovering over the notch](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/rkBSeIydJg.gif)
</Frame>

<Tip>
  **External monitors:** On an external screen, you can hover anywhere on the top bar except directly on the mic icon.
</Tip>

***

### Hotkey - Alter Quick Menu

Press your keyboard shortcut to open Alter instantly from any app.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Use the default shortcut">
    Press `Alt + Space` to open the quick menu
  </Step>

  <Step title="Or use your custom hotkey">
    If you've changed it in settings, use your configured combination
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  **Customize your shortcut:** Go to **Settings > General > Quick Access** to change the hotkey to something else.
</Note>

***

### Voice Command

Control Alter hands-free using your voice.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion icon="message-circle" title="Speech-to-Prompt (Hold to Speak)">
    Perfect for quick commands and questions:

    1. **Hold** the mic icon or press and hold your voice hotkey (default: `Fn`)
    2. **Speak** your prompt naturally
    3. **Release** to send immediately

    <Frame>
      ![Hold to speak demonstration](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/ry2fML1dJe.gif)
    </Frame>

    <Tip>
      The currently active window is automatically selected as context when you use speech-to-prompt.
    </Tip>
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion icon="mic" title="Dictate Mode (Click to Start/Stop)">
    Best for longer text input:

    1. **Click once** on the mic icon to start recording
    2. **Speak** your content
    3. **Click again** to stop and process

    <Info>
      Your transcript appears in the context section of Alter, ready to be sent as a prompt or edited.
    </Info>
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Note>
  **Configure voice settings:** Go to **Settings > Dictation > Shortcut** to customize your voice hotkey.
</Note>

***

## Mouse Interaction

### Text Selection

Select any text on your Mac to instantly invoke the **Alter Floating Menu**.

<Card title="Floating Menu Features" icon="menu">
  * Shows system Alter actions
  * Favorite actions appear at the top
  * Quick access to common operations
</Card>

### Right-Click Menu

Right-click on any file or folder and select **Add to Alter** to send it as context.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Find your file">
    Locate the file or folder in Finder
  </Step>

  <Step title="Right-click">
    Open the context menu
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select 'Add to Alter'">
    The file appears in your context section
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## What's Next?

Now that you know how to open Alter, explore these guides:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Core Features" icon="sparkles" href="/getting-started/core-features">
    Discover AppSense, Follow Mode, Workspaces, and Actions
  </Card>

  <Card title="Window Types" icon="window" href="/getting-started/window-types-notch-hub-panels">
    Learn about the Hub and Quick Panel interfaces
  </Card>

  <Card title="Use Flow" icon="wand-magic-sparkles" href="/workflows/use-flow-orchestration">
    Set up intelligent tool orchestration and improve accuracy
  </Card>

  <Card title="Best Context Habits" icon="compress" href="/how-to/managing-context-window">
    Learn how to keep conversations fast and reliable
  </Card>
</CardGroup>