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

# Dictation

> How to use voice dictation in Hermes—speaking tips, the Hermes bar, and viewing your history.

## How dictation works

Hermes listens to your voice, transcribes it in real-time, formats the text intelligently, and inserts it wherever your cursor is. The whole process takes about a second.

```
You speak → Hermes transcribes → AI formats → Text appears
```

## Starting and stopping dictation

### Press and hold (default)

1. **Press your hotkey** (Fn by default) and hold it down
2. **Speak** while holding the key
3. **Release the key** when you're done
4. Text is processed and inserted

This is the default mode—quick and intuitive for short dictations.

### Double-tap for long dictations

For longer dictations where holding a key is uncomfortable:

1. **Double-tap your hotkey** quickly
2. **Speak freely** without holding anything
3. **Tap the hotkey once** to stop

<Tip>
  Double-tap mode is great for writing long emails, taking notes in meetings, or journaling.
</Tip>

***

## The Hermes bar

When you start dictating, the Hermes bar appears on your screen. It shows:

* **Audio waveform** — Visual feedback that Hermes is hearing you
* **Live transcription** — Your words appear as you speak
* **Status indicators** — Recording, processing, or ready

### Moving the bar

Drag the Hermes bar to reposition it. You can place it:

* **Top Middle** or **Bottom Middle**
* **Any of the 4 corners**

Drag it off the edge of the screen to hide it.

***

## Speaking tips

### Speak naturally

Don't try to sound like a robot. Hermes is trained on natural speech:

* **Pause to think** — It's fine to take a moment
* **Say filler words** — "Um", "uh", "like" are automatically removed
* **Vary your pace** — You don't need to speak slowly or rush

### Don't say punctuation

Unlike older dictation systems, you don't need to say "period" or "comma". Hermes adds punctuation based on context:

| You say                  | Hermes writes             |
| ------------------------ | ------------------------- |
| "Hi how are you"         | "Hi, how are you?"        |
| "Let me know thanks"     | "Let me know. Thanks!"    |
| "The meeting is at 3 pm" | "The meeting is at 3 PM." |

### Numbers are converted automatically

| You say                                        | Hermes writes         |
| ---------------------------------------------- | --------------------- |
| "twenty three"                                 | "23"                  |
| "one hundred dollars"                          | "\$100"               |
| "call me at five five five one two three four" | "Call me at 555-1234" |

***

## Supported languages

Hermes supports dictation in 100+ languages using Whisper.

**Popular languages:**

* English (US, UK, Australian)
* Spanish
* French
* German
* Italian
* Portuguese
* Dutch
* And many more

Set your language in **Settings → Dictation**, or use **Auto** to let Hermes detect it automatically.

***

## Viewing your history

Every dictation is saved to your history. To view past dictations:

1. Open the Hermes app
2. Go to the **Home** or **History** section
3. Browse your recent dictations

From history, you can:

* **Copy** a past dictation
* **Delete** dictations you don't need
* **Save as a note** for longer-term storage

***

## Related features

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="AI Formatting" icon="wand-magic-sparkles" href="/features/ai-formatting">
    How Hermes formats your text based on context.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Keyboard Shortcuts" icon="keyboard" href="/features/hotkeys">
    All available hotkeys and how to customize them.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Dictionary" icon="book" href="/customization/dictionary">
    Teach Hermes custom words and pronunciations.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Notes" icon="note-sticky" href="/features/notes">
    Save and organize your dictations.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>