> ## 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.

# Dictation

> Voice commands, speech-to-text, and advanced dictation features

<Info>
  **Speak naturally, work faster.** Alter's dictation goes beyond simple transcription with intelligent voice commands and text transformation.
</Info>

## Voice Triggers

Voice Triggers let you activate any Alter Action using just your voice. Say a magic word or phrase to instantly trigger configured actions.

### How Voice Triggers Work

<Steps>
  <Step title="Set up triggers">
    In the Action Editor, assign a trigger word or phrase to any Alter Action
  </Step>

  <Step title="Hold to speak">
    Hold your voice hotkey (default: `Fn` key) or the mic icon
  </Step>

  <Step title="Say the trigger">
    Speak your trigger word or phrase (e.g., "Hey Charlie", "Hey Google")
  </Step>

  <Step title="Release">
    Let go of the hotkey – the action fires immediately
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Practical Examples

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Personal Assistant" icon="user">
    "Hey Charlie" – Start a conversation with your Mental Model expert
  </Card>

  <Card title="Web Search" icon="search">
    "Hey Google" – Trigger a web search action
  </Card>

  <Card title="Translation" icon="languages">
    "Hey Translate" – Activate your translation action
  </Card>

  <Card title="Custom Actions" icon="wand">
    Create triggers for any frequently-used action
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

### Setting Up Voice Triggers

<Frame>
  <div className="embed-container">
    <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Gc9IKXpbSWc" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen />
  </div>
</Frame>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Action Editor">
    From the Alter menu, select "Action Editor"
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose an Action">
    Select the action you want to trigger by voice
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add Voice Trigger">
    In the action settings, add your trigger word or phrase
  </Step>

  <Step title="Test It Out">
    Hold your voice hotkey and say the trigger word to activate
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Best Practices

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion icon="ruler" title="Keep triggers short">
    2-3 words work best for quick recognition
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion icon="fingerprint" title="Make them unique">
    Avoid common phrases you might say in conversation
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion icon="volume-2" title="Use clear pronunciation">
    Choose words that are easy to say and distinguish
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion icon="layers" title="Combine with context">
    Voice triggers work great with text selections or current app context
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Note>
  Voice triggers use speech-to-prompt (hold to speak), making them perfect for quick voice-activated workflows.
</Note>

***

## Dictation Modes

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Speech-to-Prompt">
    **Perfect for quick voice commands:**

    1. **Hold** your configured hotkey (default: `Fn` key) or mic icon
    2. **Speak** your command naturally
    3. **Release** to process immediately

    <Tip>
      The currently active window is automatically selected as context.
    </Tip>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Dictation Mode">
    **Ideal for longer text input:**

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

    <Info>
      Perfect for drafting emails, documents, or longer prompts.
    </Info>
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Voice-Powered Text Transformation

Transform any selected text using voice commands:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Select text">
    Select text anywhere on your Mac
  </Step>

  <Step title="Hold and speak">
    Hold the record button (or `Fn` key)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Give command">
    Speak transformation commands like:
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Example Commands

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Tone Changes" icon="palette">
    "Rewrite in friendly tone"<br />
    "Make this more professional"
  </Card>

  <Card title="Content Expansion" icon="expand">
    "Create counter arguments"<br />
    "Add my thoughts: \[input]"
  </Card>

  <Card title="Translation" icon="languages">
    "Translate to Spanish"<br />
    "Convert to French"
  </Card>

  <Card title="Formatting" icon="type">
    "Format as bullet points"<br />
    "Make this a summary"
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Info>
  **System-wide power:** This feature works with any text selection, making it incredibly useful for editing documents, emails, or any text content.
</Info>

***

## Language Settings

### Automatic Language Detection

When set to "Automatic," Alter detects the language you're speaking and processes it accordingly.

<Note>
  Auto-detection doesn't work with all languages and depends on the underlying engine. Set your language explicitly if you have accuracy issues.
</Note>

### Custom Word Recognition

Add technical terms and vocabulary to improve recognition:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Settings">
    Go to **Settings > Dictation > Dictionary**
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add words">
    Enter words separated by commas
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save">
    Changes apply immediately
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Card title="When to Use" icon="book">
  * Acronyms and abbreviations
  * Company and product names
  * Technical terminology
  * Proper nouns
  * Industry-specific jargon
</Card>

### Dictation Replacements

Automatically transform words and phrases during dictation:

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion icon="settings" title="How to Set Up">
    1. Navigate to **Settings > Voice > Replacements**
    2. Create pairs of "spoken phrase" → "written text"
    3. Replacements apply automatically at the end of dictation
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion icon="list" title="Practical Examples">
    | Spoken         | Written          |
    | -------------- | ---------------- |
    | "altair"       | "Alter"          |
    | "CTA"          | "call-to-action" |
    | "discord link" | Full Discord URL |
    | "jay son"      | "JSON"           |
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Technical Writing" icon="code">
    Fix misheard code terms
  </Card>

  <Card title="Professional" icon="briefcase">
    Standardize company names
  </Card>

  <Card title="Personal" icon="user">
    Voice shortcuts for signatures
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Note>
  Replacements apply to both regular dictation and speech-to-prompt, ensuring consistency across all voice input.
</Note>

***

## Processing Options

Choose how Alter processes your voice input:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Cloud Processing" icon="cloud">
    **Highest accuracy**, fast processing<br />
    Uses cloud-based speech recognition<br />
    <span className="text-sm text-gray-500">Best for: Most users, accuracy-critical work</span>
  </Card>

  <Card title="Local (Apple)" icon="apple">
    **Privacy-focused**, on-device<br />
    Uses Apple's speech recognition<br />
    <span className="text-sm text-gray-500">Best for: Privacy-conscious users</span>
  </Card>

  <Card title="Local (Whisper)" icon="cpu">
    **Maximum privacy**, OpenAI Whisper<br />
    Runs locally, speed depends on model<br />
    <span className="text-sm text-gray-500">Best for: Offline work, sensitive content</span>
  </Card>

  <Card title="Whisper Pro" icon="zap">
    **Advanced local processing**<br />
    10-second transcripts for any length<br />
    <span className="text-sm text-gray-500">Best for: Meetings, long recordings</span>
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

### Whisper Pro Setup

Get meeting transcripts in just **10 seconds** regardless of length:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Settings">
    Navigate to **Settings > Dictation**
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Whisper Pro">
    In the **Voice Processor** dropdown, choose "Whisper Pro"
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose model">
    We recommend **Whisper Large V3** (626MB) for optimal speed/accuracy
  </Step>

  <Step title="Download">
    Click **Download** and wait for completion
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  **Perfect for:** Back-to-back meetings, high-volume meeting days, offline transcription needs
</Tip>

***

## Configuration

### Global Voice Hotkey

| Setting  | Default          | Options             |
| -------- | ---------------- | ------------------- |
| **Key**  | `Fn`             | Any key combination |
| **Hold** | Speech-to-prompt | Quick commands      |
| **Tap**  | Dictation mode   | Longer input        |

Customize in **Settings > Dictation > Shortcut**

### Clipboard Integration

When enabled, dictated text is automatically copied to your clipboard for easy pasting into any application.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Settings">
    Go to **Settings > Dictation**
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enable clipboard">
    Toggle "Copy to clipboard" option
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Related Resources

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Meetings" icon="users" href="/workflows/meetings">
    Record and transcribe meetings
  </Card>

  <Card title="Settings" icon="settings" href="/how-to/settings-guide">
    Configure dictation options
  </Card>

  <Card title="Keyboard Shortcuts" icon="keyboard" href="/references/shortcuts">
    Voice hotkey reference
  </Card>

  <Card title="Troubleshooting" icon="wrench" href="/common-issues/mic-not-transcribing">
    Fix microphone issues
  </Card>
</CardGroup>