Modes
VoiceInk Modes
Configure VoiceInk for different apps, tasks, and workflows.
What a Mode Does
A Mode tells VoiceInk how to behave for a dictation session. It can control transcription, AI enhancement, context, output behavior, triggers, and the shortcut that starts recording directly with that Mode.
Create different Modes when different tasks need different behavior.
Examples:
- A simple dictation Mode for fast everyday notes.
- An email Mode that turns rough speech into polished email text.
- A rewrite Mode that uses selected text as context.
- An assistant Mode that answers inside the recorder instead of pasting.
When to Create a Mode
Create a Mode when a workflow needs its own behavior. That might be a different prompt, a different transcription model, a different language, or a different output style.
You can switch Modes manually, assign a Mode shortcut, or let VoiceInk choose a Mode automatically with triggers.
Starter Modes
VoiceInk can create starter Modes during setup:
| Mode | Default behavior |
|---|---|
| Dictation | Fast transcription with no AI enhancement. Pastes the transcript and is the default Mode. |
| Enhancement | Cleans up dictated text with AI, using selected text and screen context when available. |
| Drafts email text with AI. It can use selected text, clipboard text, and screen context. | |
| Rewrite | Rewrites selected or dictated text with AI. It uses selected text as the main context. |
| Assistant | Answers in the recorder with Respond output instead of pasting into the active app. |
What a Mode Can Control
| Area | What It Controls |
|---|---|
| Triggers | Apps, websites, spoken word triggers, suggested trigger groups, and keyboard shortcut. |
| Transcription | Model, realtime behavior, language, and formatting. |
| AI Enhancement | Provider, model, prompt, and whether enhancement is enabled. |
| Context | Selected text, clipboard text, and screen text used by AI enhancement. |
| Output | Decide whether the final text is pasted, shown as a recorder response, or sent to a custom command. |
| Auto Send | Press Return, Shift+Return, or Command+Return after pasted text. |
| Default | Use this Mode when no app or website trigger matches. |
| Enabled | Turn a Mode on or off without deleting it. |