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Native System Speech-to-Text (STT) & Voice Dictation Guide

This guide covers how to enable and use the native, built-in speech-to-text (voice dictation) engines on both macOS and Windows.

With native dictation enabled, you can speak directly into any terminal, code editor, browser input, Slack message, or document across your operating system without needing third-party software or active cloud subscriptions.

Part 1: macOS Native Dictation

macOS includes on-device neural dictation that works in every application, including Terminal, iTerm2, VS Code, and Valstorm Desktop.

1. Enabling Dictation on macOS

  1. Open System Settings (Apple Menu  → System Settings).
  2. In the left sidebar, click Keyboard.
  3. Scroll down to the Dictation section and toggle Dictation to On.
  4. If prompted, confirm Enable Dictation.

2. Configuring Your Shortcut

In the same Dictation settings:

  • Shortcut: Select your preferred activation method:
    • Press Fn (Globe 🌐) Key Twice (Default & Recommended)
    • Press Control Key Twice
    • Press Either Command Key Twice
    • Customize (set any hotkey combo you want)
  • Language: Ensure your primary spoken language (e.g., English - United States) is selected.

3. How to Use in Terminal & Any App

  1. Click into your Terminal, shell prompt, or any text field.
  2. Press the shortcut (e.g., tap Fn / Globe 🌐 twice).
  3. A floating microphone icon will appear next to your cursor.
  4. Speak naturally (e.g., "git status and press enter" or "create a new pull request for authentication").
  5. Press Fn / Globe 🌐 again (or Esc / Return) to finish dictation.

4. Essential macOS Dictation Commands for Developers

macOS understands formatting and punctuation voice commands:

To Insert / FormatWhat to Say
New Line / Enter"New line" or "New paragraph"
Punctuation"Period", "Comma", "Colon", "Semicolon"
Quotes & Brackets"Open quote" / "Close quote", "Open bracket" / "Close bracket"
Code Symbols"Hyphen", "Underscore", "Slash", "Backslash", "Tilde", "Pipe"
ALL CAPS"All caps [word]" (e.g., "All caps API" → API)
snake_case / No Spaces"No space on [text] no space off"
Delete / Backspace"Delete that"

Part 2: Windows 11 & Windows 10 Native Voice Typing

Windows includes Windows Voice Typing (powered by Microsoft Speech Services) that works universally across Windows Terminal, PowerShell, CMD, VS Code, and all desktop applications.

1. Enabling Voice Typing on Windows

  1. Open Settings (Press Win + I).
  2. Go to Time & language → Speech.
  3. Under Speech recognition, ensure microphone access is allowed.
  4. Go to Privacy & security → Microphone and ensure Let apps access your microphone is toggled On.

2. Triggering Voice Typing

  • Universal Shortcut: Press Windows Key + H (Win + H).

3. Enabling Auto-Punctuation & Launcher Bar

  1. Press Win + H anywhere to bring up the Voice Typing bar.
  2. Click the Settings (Gear ⚙️) icon on the small floating bar.
  3. Toggle Auto-punctuation to On (Windows will automatically insert periods and commas based on your pauses).
  4. Toggle Voice typing launcher to On if you want the mic icon to automatically appear whenever you focus a text box.

4. How to Use in Windows Terminal & Apps

  1. Click into Windows Terminal, PowerShell, Command Prompt, or any input.
  2. Press Win + H.
  3. The Voice Typing overlay will appear and display "Listening...".
  4. Speak your text or commands.
  5. Press Win + H again (or click the microphone icon) to stop.

5. Essential Windows Voice Typing Commands

To Insert / FormatWhat to Say
New Line / Enter"New line" or "Press Enter"
Punctuation"Period", "Comma", "Exclamation mark", "Question mark"
Symbols"Hyphen", "Underscore", "Forward slash", "Backslash", "At sign" (@), "Hash" (#)
Select & Edit"Select previous word", "Clear selection", "Delete that"
Pause Dictation"Stop listening" or "Pause voice typing"

Summary: Built-in OS Dictation vs. Cloud STT (Deepgram Nova-3 / Whisper)

FeatureBuilt-in OS Dictation (macOS / Windows)Cloud STT (Deepgram Nova-3 / Azure / Whisper)
Cost100% Free & Built-inAPI usage cost per audio minute
SetupBuilt into macOS & Windows settingsRequires API keys and background integration
AvailabilityWorks across every desktop app and terminalWorks in supported apps or via custom background daemons
Offline SupportYes (Runs on-device via Apple Neural Engine / Windows Speech)No (Requires internet / WebSocket stream)
Code & Technical VocabularyGood for natural English and standard shell wordsExceptional (Optimized for complex variables, APIs, and dev jargon)
LatencyInstantaneous streamingUltra-low latency (~200ms WebSocket)
  • For general terminal usage, quick notes, Slack messages, and fast prompt writing: Use your OS native shortcut (Fn twice on Mac, Win + H on Windows).
  • For Valstorm in-app document authoring and AI Chat sessions: Use the unified Cmd + M / Ctrl + M shortcut to leverage high-accuracy Deepgram Nova-3 real-time transcription directly inside the BOS workspace.