> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.stenox.app/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Hotkeys & Recording Modes

> Configure keyboard shortcuts and recording modes

## Default Hotkeys

Stenox comes with four configurable hotkeys for different actions:

| Action               | Default Hotkey      | Description                         |
| -------------------- | ------------------- | ----------------------------------- |
| **Hold-to-Record**   | `fn` (Globe key)    | Hold to record, release to process  |
| **Toggle Recording** | `Option + Space`    | Press to start, press again to stop |
| **Cancel Recording** | `Escape`            | Cancel the current recording        |
| **Feedback**         | `Right ⌘ + Right ⌥` | Send feedback directly to the team  |

<Note>
  All hotkeys can be customized in **Settings → Hotkeys**.
</Note>

## Recording Modes

Stenox supports two recording modes:

### Push-to-Talk (Default)

Hold the hotkey while speaking, release when done.

**How it works:**

1. Press and **hold** the hotkey (default: `fn`)
2. Speak your message while holding
3. **Release** the hotkey to stop recording
4. Stenox processes and inserts the text

**Best for:**

* Quick dictations
* Precise control over recording duration
* Preventing accidental recordings

### Toggle Mode

Press once to start recording, press again to stop.

**How it works:**

1. **Press** the hotkey once to start recording
2. Speak your message (hands-free)
3. **Press** the hotkey again to stop
4. Stenox processes and inserts the text

**Best for:**

* Longer dictations
* Hands-free operation
* When you can't hold a key continuously

<Tip>
  Enable Toggle Mode in **Settings → Hotkeys** by toggling "Toggle Mode" on.
</Tip>

## Hotkey Details

### Hold-to-Record Hotkey

The primary hotkey for starting recordings.

**Default:** `fn` (Globe key on Apple keyboards)

**Behavior:**

* **Push-to-Talk mode:** Hold to record, release to process
* **Toggle mode:** Press to start/stop recording

**Customization options:**

* Single modifier key (fn, Control, Option, Command)
* Modifier + key combination (e.g., `Control + R`)

<Warning>
  The `fn` key only works on Apple keyboards. If you're using a non-Apple keyboard, configure a different hotkey in Settings.
</Warning>

### Toggle Recording Hotkey

An alternative hotkey that always uses toggle behavior.

**Default:** `Option + Space`

**Behavior:**

* Press once to start recording
* Press again to stop recording
* Works regardless of your main recording mode setting

**Use case:** Quick toggle access even when Push-to-Talk is your primary mode.

### Cancel Recording Hotkey

Immediately cancel the current recording without processing.

**Default:** `Escape`

**Behavior:**

* Stops recording immediately
* Discards the audio (no transcription)
* Returns to idle state

**Use case:** Made a mistake or changed your mind mid-recording.

### Feedback Hotkey

Send feedback directly to the Stenox team using voice.

**Default:** `Right ⌘ + Right ⌥` (Right Command + Right Option)

**Behavior:**

* Opens the feedback interface
* Record your feedback with voice
* Automatically transcribed and sent

<Tip>
  Use the feedback hotkey to report bugs, suggest features, or share your experience. Your voice feedback is transcribed and sent directly to the team.
</Tip>

## Customizing Hotkeys

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Stenox Settings">
    Click the Stenox menu bar icon → **Settings**
  </Step>

  <Step title="Navigate to Hotkeys">
    Select the **Hotkeys** tab
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click on a hotkey to change it">
    Click the hotkey field you want to customize
  </Step>

  <Step title="Press your new key combination">
    Press the key or combination you want to use
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save">
    The hotkey is saved automatically
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Hotkey Tips

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Avoid conflicts" icon="triangle-exclamation">
    Check that your hotkey doesn't conflict with other apps or system shortcuts.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Use modifiers" icon="keyboard">
    Modifier combinations (like `Control + R`) are less likely to conflict.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Left vs Right modifiers" icon="left-right">
    Stenox can distinguish between left and right modifier keys for more options.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Test in different apps" icon="window">
    Make sure your hotkey works in all the apps you use for dictation.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Hotkey doesn't work" icon="keyboard">
    **Possible causes:**

    * Another app is using the same hotkey
    * Accessibility permission not granted
    * Stenox not running in background
    * Using fn with a non-Apple keyboard

    **Solutions:**

    * Try a different hotkey combination
    * Check **System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility** for Stenox
    * Ensure Stenox icon appears in menu bar
    * Use `Option + Space` instead of `fn` for non-Apple keyboards
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="fn key not detected" icon="globe">
    The `fn` (Globe) key is specific to Apple keyboards and may not work with:

    * Third-party keyboards
    * Some external Apple keyboards
    * Keyboards with fn mapped to other functions

    **Solution:** Use `Option + Space` or another key combination instead.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Hotkey works in some apps but not others" icon="window">
    Some apps capture hotkeys before Stenox can receive them.

    **Solutions:**

    * Try a different hotkey combination
    * Check the app's keyboard shortcuts settings
    * Use a more unique combination (e.g., `Control + Shift + R`)
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Cancel hotkey doesn't work" icon="xmark">
    Ensure you're pressing the cancel hotkey **during** an active recording.

    **Note:** The cancel hotkey only works while recording is in progress. If you're in idle state, there's nothing to cancel.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Recommended Setups

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Quick notes (Push-to-Talk)" icon="bolt">
    **Hotkey:** `fn` (default)
    **Mode:** Push-to-Talk

    Hold fn, speak briefly, release. Perfect for short messages and quick notes.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Long dictation (Toggle)" icon="file-lines">
    **Hotkey:** `Option + Space`
    **Mode:** Toggle

    Press to start, speak at length, press to stop. Ideal for paragraphs and longer content.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Coding & terminals" icon="code">
    **Hotkey:** `Control + Shift + R`
    **Mode:** Push-to-Talk

    Avoids conflicts with common IDE shortcuts. Hold while dictating comments or documentation.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Non-Apple keyboard" icon="keyboard">
    **Hotkey:** `Option + Space` or `Control + Space`
    **Mode:** Either

    Works reliably across all keyboard types.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Your First Dictation" icon="microphone" href="/first-dictation">
    Practice using your hotkeys with step-by-step guidance.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Create Profiles" icon="layer-group" href="/profiles/creating-profiles">
    Set up different hotkeys for different apps.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Add Vocabulary" icon="book" href="/setup/vocabulary">
    Improve transcription accuracy with custom terms.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Troubleshooting" icon="wrench" href="/guides/troubleshooting">
    Solve common issues with hotkeys and recording.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>