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FluidVoice uses a global hotkey to start voice capture from any app on your Mac. Press your chosen key combination, speak, and your transcribed text lands wherever your cursor is—no switching windows, no clicking. This page explains how to set your hotkeys, choose an activation mode, and avoid conflicts with other apps.

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Primary and Secondary Hotkey Slots

FluidVoice gives you two independent hotkey slots:
  • Primary Dictation Shortcut — your main trigger for dictation. This is the hotkey you’ll use the vast majority of the time.
  • Secondary Dictation Shortcut — an optional second trigger you can assign to a different dictation profile or mode. For example, use your primary hotkey for casual dictation and your secondary for a formal-tone prompt profile.
Both slots are configured independently and can use entirely different key combinations.

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How to Set a Hotkey

1

Open Settings

Click the FluidVoice icon in your menu bar, then select Settings.
2

Go to the Global Hotkey section

Go to Shortcuts.
3

Add a new Shortcut, or change current shortcut

Click the Change button to change your Hotkey shortcut, or select the Add shortcut button to add an additional Primary Dictation Shortcut
4

Press your desired key combination

Press the key or key combination you want to use. FluidVoice records it immediately. The field updates to show the captured shortcut.
The Option key (⌥) alone is the recommended default. It’s easy to reach, rarely conflicts with other apps, and is comfortable to hold during longer dictations. Other great options include ⌥Space and ⌥⌘D.

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Hotkey Activation Modes

FluidVoice supports three activation modes. Choose the one that fits how you dictate:

Hold to Record

Hold to record, release to stop. Recording runs only while you keep the key pressed. Ideal for short, focused bursts.

Toggle

Tap once to start, tap again to stop. Great for longer dictations where you don’t want to hold a key down.

Automatic (Both)

Tap to toggle, hold for push-to-talk. FluidVoice detects your intent and switches modes accordingly.
To change the activation mode, go to Settings → Hotkeys and select your preferred mode from the Activation Mode picker.

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Avoiding Conflicts with Other Apps

Global hotkeys intercept key combinations system-wide, so it’s important to pick a combination that doesn’t collide with shortcuts in apps you use regularly. Tips for conflict-free hotkeys:
  • Use ⌥ (Option) alone. Few apps claim the bare Option key as a global shortcut.
  • Avoid ⌘-based combinations like ⌘Space (Spotlight) or ⌘⇧4 (screenshot).
  • Check your other apps. Password managers, clipboard tools, and launcher apps often register their own global shortcuts. Open each app’s settings to verify.
  • Use the secondary slot for a less-used combination rather than fighting for a prime key combo.
If FluidVoice detects that your primary and secondary shortcuts conflict with each other, it displays a warning in Settings.