Default Shortcuts
| Action | macOS | Windows | Mode |
|---|
| Transcribe | Fn | Ctrl + Shift | Hold to record |
| AI Processing | Alt + Shift | Alt + Shift | Hold to record |
| Hands-Free | Fn + Control | Ctrl + H | Toggle on/off |
| Start Notes | Cmd + Shift + N | Alt + N | Toggle (disabled by default) |
Customizing Shortcuts
- Go to Settings > Shortcuts
- Click the shortcut field for any action
- Press your desired key combination
- The new shortcut is saved immediately
Alternative Shortcuts
Adding multiple shortcuts for the same action is a
Pro feature. Free plan supports one shortcut per action.
- Main transcription:
Fn
- Alternative transcription:
Ctrl + Space
Each alternative can independently toggle AI Enhancement on or off.
Supported Keys
Modifier Keys
- Control (left/right distinguished)
- Shift (left/right distinguished)
- Alt/Option (left/right distinguished)
- Command/Windows (left/right distinguished)
- Fn (macOS only)
- Middle mouse button
- M4 (Back button)
- M5 (Forward button)
M4 and M5 are usually mapped to “back” and “forward” for browser navigation by default. Most mice ship with vendor software (Logitech Options, Razer Synapse, SteelSeries Engine, MX Master apps, and so on) where you can remap any button to a different action or shortcut combination. Point M4 or M5 to your Vowen shortcut and you can trigger transcription or hands-free recording with a single click.
Mouse buttons work as toggle shortcuts (press to start, press again to stop) rather than hold-to-record.
Per-Shortcut AI Override
Each shortcut has its own AI Enhancement setting:
| Setting | Behavior |
|---|
| Always on | This shortcut always enhances the transcription |
| Always off | This shortcut never enhances the transcription |
Hands-Free Mode
Hands-free mode is a toggle: press the shortcut once to start recording, press the same shortcut again to stop. Additional options:
- Auto-deactivate on mouse/keystroke: stops recording when you click or type (Settings > Recording)
- Escape to cancel: press Escape to discard the active recording without transcribing it. Vowen offers an undo so you can continue the recording if you pressed Escape by accident
- Upgrade mid-recording: while in regular transcription mode, pressing the hands-free shortcut upgrades to hands-free
In regular (push-to-talk) mode, simply release the shortcut key to end the recording and trigger transcription.
Pro tip: Set push-to-talk to Fn and hands-free to Fn + Ctrl. Hold Fn to start dictating; if the thought runs long, tap Ctrl and release both keys. You’re in hands-free without lifting a finger.
Left vs Right Modifier Keys
Vowen distinguishes between left and right modifier keys. This means you can set:
Left Alt + Space for transcriptionRight Alt + Space for AI processing
Conflict Resolution
If two shortcuts share a common prefix (e.g., Fn and Fn + Control), Vowen uses a 500ms grace period to detect which one you intended. The more specific shortcut wins.
Application Shortcuts (macOS)
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|
Cmd + , | Open Settings |
Cmd + Q | Quit Vowen |
Cmd + W | Close current window |
Cmd + H | Hide Vowen |
