Shortcuts & recording

Default hotkeys

Defaults from first launch (AppConfig; rebind under Settings → Shortcuts):

Mode	Default	Role
Voice typing	⌃⌥Space (Control + Option + Space)	Primary dictation
Direct Voice Typing	Unbound by default	Skips polish; inserts the raw transcript
Voice command	⌃⌥C (Control + Option + C)	Dictionary / LLM intent
Voice translation	⌃⌥⇧Space (Control + Option + Shift + Space)	Transcribe → translate → insert

Each mode also supports an optional secondary chord (unbound by default).

Don’t confuse the defaults

⌃⌥C is the command hotkey, not dictation. Dictation defaults to ⌃⌥Space (with Control) so plain ⌥Space is free for IMEs.

Trigger modes and hold threshold

Each hotkey slot can independently choose a trigger mode (HotkeyTriggerMode) in Shortcuts settings:

Trigger mode	Behavior
Hold or toggle (default)	Tap to start/stop; hold to talk and release to finish (threshold ~350ms, customizable)
Toggle	Each press toggles recording on/off; releasing never ends
Hold	Push-to-talk (PTT) only; record while held, release ends immediately
Double-click	Rapid double press toggles recording; single press is ignored

Only one mode records at a time:

• If a toggle session is already live, holding the same mode’s hold-only secondary chord ends that session on release (no nested PTT).
• Pressing a different mode’s binding while busy is ignored and shows a busy hint (finish or press Esc) so typing / command / translation don’t collide.

Modifier keys, mouse middle click & trackpad gestures

In addition to standard keyboard chords, VoiceHotkey also supports:

• Single modifier keys: Bind an individual modifier (with distinct left/right ⌘ Command, ⌥ Option, ⌃ Control, ⇧ Shift, as well as Caps Lock or Fn) directly as the hotkey.
• Mouse middle click: Use the mouse scroll-wheel middle click as a primary or secondary trigger.
• Trackpad gestures: Support 3-finger, 4-finger, 5-finger taps, and 4-finger/5-finger Force Clicks.

Quick Send

Press Return while recording to finish, insert, and simulate Return (chat / agent boxes).

Toggle under Settings → General. This is separate from the Insert & send output action (always send after every insert).

Recording overlay

A status HUD (levels / phase) appears while recording. Newer macOS may use Liquid Glass styling.

Cancel

While the HUD is up (recording, recognizing, polish, or result), Escape cancels (toggle under Settings → General → Cancel recording with Escape), or use voicehotkey://cancel. The HUD close control always works. See Deeplinks.

Menu bar icon

Under Settings → General you can show/hide the menu bar icon and set Menu bar icon style: Color (brand mark) or Black & white (template that matches the menu bar). The app keeps at least Dock or menu bar so Settings stays reachable.