> ## 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.

# Quickstart

> Get Hermes running and dictate your first sentence in under 5 minutes.

## Get started in 5 minutes

This guide walks you through downloading Hermes, setting it up, and speaking your first dictation.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Download and install">
    Download Hermes from [hermesvoice.com](https://hermesvoice.com) and drag it to your Applications folder.

    Launch Hermes from your Applications folder or Spotlight.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Grant permissions">
    Hermes needs a few macOS permissions to work. You'll be prompted for each one:

    | Permission           | Why it's needed                |
    | -------------------- | ------------------------------ |
    | **Microphone**       | To hear your voice             |
    | **Accessibility**    | To type text into apps for you |
    | **Input Monitoring** | To detect your hotkey anywhere |

    <Tip>
      **Screen Recording** is optional but recommended. It lets Hermes see what app you're using for smarter formatting.
    </Tip>

    Click "Allow" for each permission prompt, or grant them manually in **System Settings → Privacy & Security**.

    <Card title="Having trouble with permissions?" icon="circle-question" href="/setup/permissions">
      See our detailed permissions guide for step-by-step instructions.
    </Card>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set your hotkey">
    Choose the key that starts and stops dictation. The default is the **Fn** key.

    **Why Fn?**

    * It's easy to reach
    * You probably don't use it for anything else
    * No modifier keys needed

    To change it, go to **Settings → Keyboard Shortcuts**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Speak your first sentence">
    Open any app where you can type—Notes, Mail, Slack, or even a text field in your browser.

    1. **Press and hold your hotkey** (Fn by default)
    2. **The Hermes bar appears** at the bottom of your screen
    3. **Speak naturally**: "Hey, just wanted to follow up on our conversation from yesterday. Let me know when you have time to chat."
    4. **Release the hotkey** when you're done
    5. **Watch your text appear**, formatted and ready

    <Note>
      Speak naturally. Say "um" if you want. Pause to think. Hermes cleans it all up.
    </Note>
  </Step>
</Steps>

## What just happened?

When you dictated, Hermes:

1. **Transcribed** your speech to text in real-time
2. **Cleaned up** filler words like "um" and "uh"
3. **Detected context** (which app you're in)
4. **Applied AI formatting** for proper punctuation and capitalization
5. **Inserted the text** at your cursor

All of this happens in about a second.

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Learn about dictation" icon="microphone" href="/features/dictation">
    Tips for speaking, double-tap for long dictations, and more.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Understand AI formatting" icon="wand-magic-sparkles" href="/features/ai-formatting">
    How Hermes knows to format emails differently than Slack messages.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Set up triggers" icon="bolt" href="/triggers/overview">
    Automate actions like web searches, window management, and more.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Customize your dictionary" icon="book" href="/customization/dictionary">
    Teach Hermes names, technical terms, and custom spellings.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>