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

# Your first dictation

> Hold or tap your shortcut, speak, and your words appear where you're typing.

Pipit types what you say into whatever app you're in. You need the **Microphone** and **Accessibility** permissions first; see [Permissions](https://pipit.mintlify.site/permissions.md).

## Dictate

**1. Click into a text field**

Any app works: a message, an email, a document, a search box.

**2. Hold your Dictate key and speak**

The Dictate key is **Fn/Globe** by default. Keep holding it while you talk.

**3. Release the key**

Pipit transcribes what you said and pastes it where your cursor is.

For longer dictations, give the key a quick tap instead of holding it. Pipit keeps listening hands-free until you tap the key again.

## What the overlay shows

A small pill appears on screen while Pipit is listening. It moves with your voice, so you can tell Pipit hears you.

When you stop, the pill shows **transcribing…** until your text is pasted. On first use you may also see **model downloading…** or **initializing model…** while the voice model gets ready. See [Voice model and languages](https://pipit.mintlify.site/voice-models.md).

## Cancel a dictation

Press **Esc** while Pipit is listening. Nothing is pasted, and a **Transcript cancelled** card appears. Click **Undo** on the card if you change your mind: Pipit transcribes that recording and pastes it after all.

## Paste your last dictation again

Press **⌃⌘V** to paste your latest dictation again, in any app. This also works when a paste went to the wrong place. You can also choose **Paste Last Dictation** from the Pipit menu bar icon.

## When the text couldn't be pasted

If Pipit can't paste, for example because no text field was selected or you switched apps, a card shows your text instead of losing it. It says what happened, such as **No text field to paste into**.

* Click **Copy** to put the text on your clipboard, then paste it yourself.
* Or click where the text should go and press **⌃⌘V** later.

If the card says **Pipit needs Accessibility to paste**, click **Open Settings** and turn Pipit on. See [Permissions](https://pipit.mintlify.site/permissions.md).

## Choose your microphone

Go to **Home** > **Audio Input** > **Input Device**. **System Default** uses whatever microphone macOS is set to. Pick a specific microphone to have Pipit always use it. If that microphone is disconnected, Pipit goes back to **System Default**.

## Move the overlay

Go to **Home** > **App Preferences** > **Overlay position** and choose **Bottom center**, **Bottom right**, **Bottom left**, **Top right**, or **Top left**.

You can also drag it: while the overlay is showing, move your pointer near it and drag the handle that appears. It settles in the nearest of the five positions, and Pipit remembers it. Right-click the handle to pick a position from a menu.

## Change the overlay's look

Click the theme menu at the bottom of **Home**. Under **Overlay**, choose **Standard**, a dark, mostly solid overlay, or **Glass**, a see-through overlay that follows what's behind it. **Glass** needs macOS 26 or later; on earlier versions both look the same.

## Sounds and media

Both are in **Home** > **App Preferences** and are on by default.

* **Sound Effects**: a soft chime when dictation starts and stops.
* **Pause Media While Dictating**: pauses music and video while you talk, then resumes it. When it's off, Pipit lowers the volume instead.

## Next

* Change your Dictate key, or add Enhance and Draft keys: [Shortcuts](https://pipit.mintlify.site/shortcuts.md).
* Teach Pipit names and words it gets wrong: [Dictionary](https://pipit.mintlify.site/dictionary.md).


This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.