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

# Settings

<div style={{ marginTop: "-1rem" }}>
  The settings window is where you configure Vowen. Most options live in their own dedicated pages in the sidebar; this page covers the overall layout and the handful of settings that affect Vowen itself rather than a specific feature.
</div>

## Opening Settings

* Click the Vowen icon in the menu bar (macOS) or system tray (Windows) and choose **Open Settings**
* Use `Cmd+,` (macOS) when the Vowen window is already in focus. Since Vowen is a background app, the menu bar route is usually the faster way in.

## Sidebar Navigation

The main sidebar has four top-level sections:

| Section    | What's There                           |
| ---------- | -------------------------------------- |
| Home       | Voice log, daily activity, quick stats |
| Notes      | Meeting notes list and recordings      |
| Transcribe | Manual file transcription              |
| Settings   | All configuration options              |

## Settings Pages

Inside the Settings section, each page covers a specific area:

* **General:** theme, startup, text insertion method, restore clipboard, sound effects, recording indicator
* **Audio:** input device selection and testing
* **Models:** download and manage transcription models
* **Shortcuts:** configure keyboard shortcuts (alternative / multiple shortcuts are Pro)
* **AI Setup:** connect AI providers, select models (Custom API and multiple providers are Pro)
* **Language:** set transcription language (Translate-to-English is Pro)
* **Recording:** VAD, silence detection, hands-free options, real-time preview (Pro), mute background audio (Pro), idle pill
* **Tones:** per-app writing style profiles (free includes 1 tone, unlimited on Pro)
* **Dictionary:** custom vocabulary, threads, expansions (free includes 1 custom expansion), auto-add corrections (Pro)
* **Workflows:** voice-triggered automations (free includes 3 workflows + 1 custom utility), webhooks / scripts inside workflows are Pro
* **Memory:** persistent AI context (free includes 3 items, unlimited on Pro)
* **Integrations:** Obsidian, webhooks, and notes integrations (Pro)
* **Privacy:** data handling preferences, import/export data (Pro)
* **Sync:** cloud sync setup (Pro)
* **Account:** license activation and plan management

## Menu Bar (macOS) and System Tray (Windows)

Vowen lives in your menu bar on macOS and your system tray on Windows. Right-click the icon to:

* See current recording status
* Switch microphone
* Switch transcription model
* Start or stop meeting notes
* Open settings
* Copy last transcription
* Quit the app

## Text Insertion

Vowen can deliver your transcription using either the **paste method** (simulates `Cmd+V` / `Ctrl+V`) or **direct insertion** (types each character as if you were typing it).

The paste method is fast but overwrites your clipboard; enable **Restore clipboard after paste** in the same settings page to put your previous clipboard contents back automatically. Direct insertion is the right choice on non-QWERTY keyboard layouts (AZERTY, QWERTZ, Dvorak) or in apps that block standard paste.

See [Text Insertion Methods](/transcription/how-it-works#text-insertion-methods) for the full explanation.

## Themes

Vowen supports Light and Dark themes. Change it in **Settings > General > Theme**.

## Hide Dock Icon (macOS)

If you prefer Vowen to be a pure background app without a Dock icon, enable **Settings > General > Hide Dock Icon**. The app stays accessible from the menu bar.

## Idle Pill

Turn on **Show idle pill** in **Settings > Recording** to keep a small minimized bar pinned to the edge of your screen when you're not recording. Hover it to expand and start a recording without reaching for a shortcut. It's off by default.