Command reference
The current local command dictionary contains only your custom and auto-learned entries. There are no enabled bundled command packs, starter presets, or 108-entry built-in catalog. The mappings below are examples to create yourself; a fresh installation does not automatically execute them.
Add a user phrase
Section titled “Add a user phrase”- Open Settings → Voice commands and leave Enable voice commands on.
- Allow the required action type under Actions.
- Open Custom Command Dictionary, enter phrases, and choose the action, target, and optional app scope.
- Save, then speak the phrase using the command hotkey (default
Middle mouse button). First check the target app’s actual keyboard shortcut and effect.
Actions you can configure directly
Section titled “Actions you can configure directly”| Example phrase | Editor action | Content / target | Example scope |
|---|---|---|---|
copy |
Hotkey | ⌘C |
Empty: global |
insert email |
Insert text | you@example.com |
Global |
open GitHub |
Open app / URL | https://github.com |
Global |
open Notes |
Open app / URL | Notes |
Global |
open report |
Open file | ~/Documents/report.pdf |
Global; use an existing file |
run daily report |
Shortcut | Daily report |
Global; match an existing shortcut name |
new tab |
Hotkey | ⌘T |
com.apple.Safari |
address bar |
Hotkey | ⌘L |
com.apple.Safari |
command palette |
Hotkey | ⌘⇧P |
com.microsoft.VSCode |
The foreground app handles injected hotkeys. Different apps or custom bindings may produce different effects. An empty Bundle ID makes a phrase global; an app Bundle ID restricts matching to that foreground app. Disabling an action capability blocks corresponding dictionary actions.
Actions available through the intent model
Section titled “Actions available through the intent model”Trial / Pro can enable an intent model and parse free-form speech with a configured cloud or on-device LLM. It can return hotkeys, text insert, floating answers, selection rewrite, open targets, Shortcuts, and system control. Floating answers, selection rewrite, and system control are not manual dictionary action choices. Eligible system actions can become auto-learned entries after successful execution.
System control includes volume / brightness, media playback, lock / sleep, timers, window layout, reminders, and calendar events. Results depend on model parsing, enabled capabilities, macOS permissions, and the target environment. These are examples, not guaranteed built-in phrases.
Countdowns, Clock alarms and reminders
Section titled “Countdowns, Clock alarms and reminders”Countdowns and Pomodoro timers temporarily run inside VoiceHotkey and do not appear in macOS Clock. Only one runs at a time; starting another replaces it. Quitting VoiceHotkey stops the countdown, and Mac sleep may delay its alert.
“Cancel timer” cancels only the VoiceHotkey countdown and reports failure if none is running.
Clock alarms use macOS Clock. In Settings → Voice commands → Clock alarms, import VoiceHotkey Alarms v1, allow the initial Clock/Automation prompts, then select Check connection. Keep the helper name and only one copy. System actions must be enabled.
Use these explicit Chinese or English commands:
- “Set an alarm for 7:30 AM” / “设置一个7:30的闹钟”
- “List alarms” / “列出闹钟”
- “Disable the alarm at 7:30 AM” / “关闭7:30的闹钟”
- “Delete the alarm at 7:30 AM” / “删除7:30的闹钟”
HH:mm uses 24-hour time; spoken hours need AM/PM. Cancel means disable. Deletion shows the target and asks for confirmation; Clock may also ask. No match or several alarms at the same time causes no mutation; use Clock to choose further. Each operation is read back and unconfirmed mutations are never retried automatically.
Set dates, recurrence, Clock timers and other alarm wording in Clock. Ringing during real sleep, with the lid closed, or while locked has not been verified. Alarm requests never become internal countdowns or reminders.
Requests such as “Remind me to submit the documents tomorrow afternoon” still create items in macOS Reminders, separately from countdowns and alarms.