Keyboard Shortcuts

Vox provides customizable keyboard shortcuts for voice recording. Configure them to match your workflow and preferences.

Default Shortcuts

Access shortcut settings from Settings → Shortcuts.

Recording Methods

Vox supports two recording methods, each with its own customizable shortcut:

Hold Mode

Default: ⌘ + Space

Hold the key combination to record, release to stop and transcribe.

Best for:

• Quick, short transcriptions
• Natural start/stop control
• Single-handed operation

Toggle Mode

Default: ⌘ + ⌥ + Space

Press once to start recording, press again to stop and transcribe.

Best for:

• Longer dictation sessions
• When you need both hands free while speaking
• Continuous recording without holding a key

Choose Your Method

Use Hold mode for quick voice commands and short notes. Use Toggle mode when transcribing longer content where holding a key would be uncomfortable.

Customizing Shortcuts

Future Customization

Vox allows you to customize these shortcuts to match your workflow. Additional shortcut customization options may be added in future updates.

How to Change a Shortcut

1. Navigate to Settings → Shortcuts
2. Click on the shortcut field you want to change (Hold mode or Toggle mode)
3. Press your desired key combination
4. The new shortcut is saved automatically

Modifier Keys

You can use any combination of modifier keys:

• ⌘ Command
• ⌥ Option (Alt)
• ⌃ Control
• ⇧ Shift

Combined with any letter, number, or special key.

Examples

Common configurations:

• ⌘ + ⌃ + Space - Command + Control + Space
• ⌃ + R - Control + R
• ⌥ + V - Option + V
• ⌘ + ⇧ + D - Command + Shift + D

Shortcut Conflicts

Avoid shortcuts already used by your operating system or other applications. If a shortcut doesn't work, check your system's keyboard shortcut settings for conflicts.

Restoring Defaults

If you want to return to the default shortcuts:

1. Navigate to Settings → Shortcuts
2. Click Restore Defaults
3. Your shortcuts will be reset to:
   • Hold mode: ⌘ + Space
   • Toggle mode: ⌘ + ⌥ + Space

Common Shortcut Conflicts

macOS: Spotlight Search

macOS uses ⌘ + Space for Spotlight by default. If you want to use this for Vox:

Option 1: Change Spotlight shortcut

1. Open System Preferences → Keyboard → Shortcuts
2. Select "Spotlight" from the left sidebar
3. Change "Show Spotlight search" to a different shortcut

Option 2: Use a different Vox shortcut

• Choose an alternative like ⌃ + Space or ⌘ + ⌥ + Space

Windows: Common Conflicts

Windows uses Win + H for voice typing and Ctrl + Space for input method switching. If your Vox shortcut conflicts:

1. Choose a different Vox shortcut
2. Or disable the conflicting Windows shortcut in Settings → Keyboard

Alfred, Raycast, or Other Launchers

Many launcher apps use similar shortcuts. To avoid conflicts:

1. Check your launcher's shortcut settings
2. Either change the launcher's shortcut or Vox's shortcut
3. Ensure no two shortcuts overlap

International Keyboards

Some keyboard layouts use modifier keys differently:

• Test your shortcuts after setting them
• Consider using less common combinations
• Avoid shortcuts that conflict with input method switching

Recording Behavior

Hold Mode Behavior

1. Press and hold your shortcut
2. HUD appears showing recording status
3. Speak your message
4. Release the key
5. Transcription processes and pastes automatically

Visual Feedback

The HUD shows real-time recording status. The tray icon also changes to indicate recording.

Toggle Mode Behavior

1. Press your shortcut once
2. HUD appears showing recording status
3. Speak your message (hands-free)
4. Press the shortcut again to stop
5. Transcription processes and pastes automatically

Recording Feedback Sounds

Vox plays audio feedback when recording starts and stops:

Configure these sounds in Settings → General → Recording Feedback:

• Start sound: "Tap" (when recording begins)
• Stop sound: "Ping" (when recording ends)
• Alert sound: "Error" (on errors or issues)

See Recording Feedback for more details.

Accessibility Features

Single-Handed Operation

Hold mode is designed for single-handed use:

• Use your thumb to hold the shortcut
• Speak naturally
• Release when done

Hands-Free Recording

Toggle mode allows completely hands-free recording:

• Press once to start
• Speak as long as needed
• Press again when finished

Custom Shortcuts for Accessibility

If you have mobility limitations, consider:

• Using large, easy-to-press key combinations
• Placing shortcuts on keys you can easily reach
• Using toggle mode to avoid holding keys
• Combining with voice control or switch control features

Tips and Best Practices

Start Recording First, Then Speak

To capture your full message:

1. Press your recording shortcut
2. Wait for the start sound
3. Begin speaking
4. This prevents cutting off the beginning of your transcription

Use Toggle Mode for Long Dictation

When transcribing documents or lengthy content:

• Use Toggle mode to avoid hand fatigue
• Take natural pauses between sentences
• Press the shortcut again when finished

Test Before Important Work

Before transcribing critical content:

1. Test your shortcut with a simple phrase
2. Verify the transcription is accurate
3. Check that text pastes correctly
4. Then proceed with your actual transcription

Shortcut Placement

Choose shortcuts that:

• Are easy to remember
• Don't conflict with apps you use frequently
• Are comfortable to press in your normal working position
• Work across all applications you use

Troubleshooting

Shortcut Not Working

1. Check for conflicts: Look in System Preferences → Keyboard → Shortcuts
2. Restart Vox: Quit completely and relaunch
3. Try a different shortcut: Some combinations don't work on all keyboards
4. Check permissions: Ensure Accessibility permission is granted

Recording Doesn't Stop (Toggle Mode)

If toggle mode doesn't stop recording:

• Press the shortcut again firmly
• Check the HUD for visual confirmation
• Ensure you're using the same shortcut to stop as you used to start
• Restart Vox if the issue persists

Recording Stops Immediately (Hold Mode)

If hold mode stops too quickly:

• Ensure you're holding the key, not just tapping it
• Check that key repeat is enabled in System Preferences → Keyboard
• Try toggle mode if hold mode is unreliable
• Test with a different shortcut combination

Shortcut Works Sometimes But Not Always

This usually indicates a conflict with another application:

1. Identify which app causes the conflict
2. Check that app's shortcuts
3. Change either Vox's shortcut or the other app's shortcut
4. Apps like IDEs, terminal emulators, and browsers often have many shortcuts

Advanced Usage

Context-Specific Shortcuts

While Vox doesn't support per-app shortcuts natively, you can:

• Use tools like Keyboard Maestro or BetterTouchTool to create context-specific shortcuts
• Set different shortcuts for different work modes
• Use system-wide shortcuts that don't conflict with your primary applications

Multiple Recording Modes

Some users configure workflows using both modes:

• Hold mode for quick inline comments and short notes
• Toggle mode for longer-form dictation and documentation

Integration with Other Tools

Vox shortcuts work well with:

• Text editors and IDEs
• Note-taking apps like Obsidian, Notion, or Apple Notes
• Communication tools like Slack, Discord, or email
• Code documentation and commenting workflows

Next Steps

• Configure the HUD to show recording status
• Set up AI Enhancement for better transcription quality
• Add custom words to improve accuracy
• Grant required permissions if shortcuts aren't working