Hotkeys and modes

Abe is driven by global hotkeys that work in any app, even when Abe’s window is closed.

Default hotkeys

Action	Windows / Linux	macOS	What it does
Dictate	`Ctrl` + `Alt` + `Space`	`Ctrl` + `Option` + `Space`	Hold to talk (push-to-talk), or press once to start and again to stop (toggle mode).
Paste last	`Ctrl` + `Alt` + `V`	`Ctrl` + `Option` + `V`	Insert your most recent transcription again at the cursor.
Voice Transform	`Ctrl` + `Alt` + `T`	`Ctrl` + `Option` + `T`	Select text, then hold and speak an instruction to rewrite it.

The defaults use Ctrl + Alt combinations so they don’t collide with common app shortcuts such as paste-as-plain-text or reopen-tab.

Push-to-talk vs toggle

Choose in Settings → Transcription → Push-to-Talk.

Push-to-talk (on, the default): hold the hotkey while you speak and release it to stop. Best for short bursts and quick replies. Nothing is recorded unless you’re holding the keys.
Toggle (off): press the hotkey once to start recording and again to stop. Better for long dictation where holding keys gets tiring.

In both modes, recording also stops automatically at the Max Duration limit (5 minutes by default, see Settings).

Paste last

Ctrl + Alt + V inserts your most recent transcription again at the cursor. Handy when text landed in the wrong window, or you want the same sentence in two places.

Paste Last remembers the latest transcription in memory only, so it’s forgotten when Abe restarts. If there’s nothing to paste yet, Abe shows “No transcription to paste”. Older transcriptions are in the app’s History view.

Changing a hotkey

Open Settings and find Shortcuts.
Click the shortcut you want to change (Record, Paste Last or Transform).
Press the new combination, then release all keys to save it.

Shortcuts can use keyboard keys and mouse buttons, including the side buttons on many mice.

Tips for choosing a hotkey

Include at least one modifier (Ctrl, Alt/Option, Shift) so you don’t trigger it while typing.
Avoid shortcuts your most-used apps already rely on.
For push-to-talk, pick something comfortable to hold with one hand.
A spare mouse side button makes a great push-to-talk key.

The recording overlay

While you record, a small floating overlay shows a live level meter, then a spinner while your audio is transcribed. Transform recordings use a distinct colour so you can tell the two apart. When idle, a small pill shows Abe’s status, for example Ready or Local.

You can drag the overlay wherever you like and right-click it to lock or unlock its position. Turn it off, or reset its position, in Settings → Advanced → Appearance.