> ## 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.

# Dictate from Shortcuts

> Use the Dictate with Pipit action in Apple's Shortcuts app to send what you say into any shortcut.

The **Dictate with Pipit** action starts a Pipit dictation from Apple's Shortcuts app. You speak, stop with your Pipit shortcut, and the text goes to the next step of your shortcut instead of being pasted.

## What the action does

* When the shortcut reaches the action, Pipit starts recording and the overlay appears, as it does when you press your shortcut.
* Press your **Dictate** shortcut (**Fn/Globe** by default) to stop. Press **Esc** to cancel.
* The action gives back your text as **Dictated Text**, which the next actions can use. Nothing is pasted.
* Pipit's main window doesn't open. If Pipit isn't running, Shortcuts starts it in the background.

Pipit has to be set up first, with Microphone and Accessibility turned on. See [Permissions](https://pipit.mintlify.site/permissions.md).

## Options

Click the action's options to change them.

| Option | Choices |
| - | - |
| **Cleanup** | **As configured in Pipit** (the default): the same as your Dictate shortcut. **Pipit Engine only (no AI)**: never uses AI cleanup. **AI cleanup**: always uses AI cleanup. |
| **Time Limit** | How many seconds the recording may run before Pipit cancels it. |

**AI cleanup** only works when AI cleanup is turned on and set up. See [AI cleanup](https://pipit.mintlify.site/ai-cleanup.md).

## Example: dictate a new note

This shortcut turns what you say into a new note in Notes.

**1. Create a shortcut**

Open the Shortcuts app and click **+** to make a new shortcut.

**2. Add the Pipit action**

In the action list on the right, search for "Pipit" and add **Dictate with Pipit**.

**3. Add the note**

Search for "Create Note" and add it below. Its text should be **Dictated Text**. If it isn't, click the text field and choose **Dictated Text**.

**4. Run it**

Run the shortcut, say your note, then press your **Dictate** shortcut. A new note appears with your words.

You can swap **Create Note** for any action that takes text, such as **Send Message** or **Copy to Clipboard**. To run the shortcut from the keyboard, add a keyboard shortcut in the shortcut's details.

## If the action fails

The shortcut stops and shows a message that says what to do: finish setting up Pipit, turn on a permission (see [Permissions](https://pipit.mintlify.site/permissions.md)), wait for the voice model to download, or set up [AI cleanup](https://pipit.mintlify.site/ai-cleanup.md).

If you see "The dictation ran too long without being stopped, so Pipit cancelled it.", stop with your **Dictate** shortcut sooner, or raise **Time Limit**.


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