Assistant Mode
Use Respond output to ask questions and keep answers inside the recorder.
What Assistant Mode Is
Assistant Mode is a Mode configured with AI Enhancement and Output -> Respond. Instead of pasting text into the active app, VoiceInk shows the AI response inside the recorder.
The starter Assistant Mode uses the Assistant prompt and is designed for short questions, summaries, and follow-ups.
Respond output is available only when the Mode has AI Enhancement enabled, a selected prompt, and a connected compatible provider. VoiceInk Refine cannot provide Respond output. Respond Modes cannot be set as the default Mode.
Follow-ups
When an assistant response is visible and the recorder is idle, starting another recording continues the same assistant session. You can also type a follow-up in the recorder's assistant panel.
Closing the recorder resets the active assistant conversation. It does not delete the turns already saved in History.
History
Assistant turns are saved in History. The detail panel can show the transcription model, enhancement model, prompt, Mode, timing, and AI request data when available.
Difference From Enhancement
Enhancement rewrites your dictated text and usually pastes it.
Assistant Mode treats your speech as a question or instruction and returns an answer in the recorder.
Set Up and Scope
Edit a Mode, enable AI Enhancement, choose a compatible provider and the Assistant prompt, then set Advanced → Output → Respond. Enable only the context sources the task needs.
Assistant returns text answers. It does not automatically control apps or execute shell actions. Use Custom Command output for an explicitly configured local delivery workflow.
The website's Ask AI sidebar answers documentation questions using the website integration. It is separate from this Mode and does not use your app's provider key or saved Assistant conversation.