Quick Reference

Keyboard Shortcuts & Voice Commands

Master Vocalinux with keyboard shortcuts and voice commands. New installs default to push-to-talk (hold Right Alt), or switch to toggle mode (double-tap), then apply voice commands for editing and formatting.

Quick Start

Hold Right Alt
Push-to-Talk: Speak While Held

Right Alt is the Option key on Mac-layout keyboards. Toggle mode is also available: double-tap your configured key to start/stop. You can switch modes and keys in Settings.

Voice commands can be enabled or disabled from Settings depending on your workflow.

Dictation Controls

Hold Right Alt

Push-to-talk (default): speak while held

Release to stop · Option on Mac-layout keyboards

Double-tap key

Toggle mode: start/stop dictation

Optional — switch in Settings

Settings

Choose Left/Right Ctrl, Alt, or Shift in Settings

Modifier key side selection

PTT

v0.10.1+ includes fixes for premature transcription during PTT silence

Improved push-to-talk reliability

Voice Commands

"new line"

Insert a new line

Say this phrase

"new paragraph"

Insert a new paragraph

Say this phrase

"delete that"

Delete last phrase

Also: "scratch that"

"select all"

Select all text

Voice command

"copy this"

Copy selection

Voice command

"paste here"

Paste clipboard

Voice command

"undo"

Undo last action

Voice command

"redo"

Redo last action

Voice command

Settings Toggle

Enable/disable voice commands

Optional in v0.8.0-beta

Voice Commands

Voice commands are optional since v0.8.0 - auto-enabled for VOSK, disabled for Whisper by default

Engine-specific defaults

Audio Feedback

Settings Toggle

Enable/disable sound effects from Settings dialog

Audio feedback control

v0.9.0+

Sound effects now toggleable - smooth gliding tones for start/stop

Pleasant audio cues

Tray Icon Actions

Left Click

Toggle dictation

On tray icon

Right Click

Open context menu

Settings, quit, etc.

Configuration

Config File

~/.config/vocalinux/config.json

Manual editing

Customizing Shortcuts

You can customize the activation shortcut in the settings panel or by editing the configuration file directly:

~/.config/vocalinux/config.json

Open Vocalinux and access Settings from the tray icon to change keyboard shortcuts through the GUI.

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to common questions about Vocalinux features and usage.

View FAQ

Troubleshooting

Having issues? Find solutions to common problems and fixes.

Get Help