Getting Started
Start with free voice dictation. Add Pro for AI refinement, commands, and Workspace.
You’ll need macOS 15 or later and a Mac with Apple Silicon. See the permission walkthrough.
Download & Install
Open the DMG, drag Auris to Applications, launch from Spotlight or Applications folder.
Grant Permissions
Let Auris get ready
Stay connected to the internet while Auris completes its first-time setup. Once it is ready, free dictation works offline.
Press & Speak
Hold your hotkey (default: ⌥ Option), speak naturally, release. Text appears wherever your cursor is.
Voice Typing vs AI Command
Dictate new words with Voice Typing, or ask AI to work with existing text using AI Command. AI Workspace, for ongoing conversations, is covered below.
Voice Typing
You talk, it types.
AI Command
You instruct, it acts.
Requires: Pro and an internet connection
When to use which?
Supported languages
Speak in your language. Auris takes care of detection automatically.
Auris automatically detects the language you speak and transcribes on your Mac. Speak naturally in any of these 25 languages.
- Bulgarian
- Croatian
- Czech
- Danish
- Dutch
- English
- Estonian
- Finnish
- French
- German
- Greek
- Hungarian
- Italian
- Latvian
- Lithuanian
- Maltese
- Polish
- Portuguese
- Romanian
- Russian
- Slovak
- Slovenian
- Spanish
- Swedish
- Ukrainian
All 25 languages are included in Free voice dictation. AI translation is a separate Pro feature.
After initial setup, Raw dictation works offline. Review transcripts before sharing them, especially names and technical terms.
Screen-Aware AI
With Pro, enable screen context when you want AI Command to understand an error or interface. It is optional; ordinary voice dictation does not need Screen Recording permission.
Enable it
Settings → AI → Screen-Aware AI Command → toggle on. Grant Screen Recording permission.
Choose capture mode
Just ask
Use AI Command as usual. Say "explain this", "what's wrong here", or "guide me through this".
AI Workspace
A Pro AI chat panel that floats above your apps. Speak or type, ask follow-ups, and keep the conversation going. AI responses require internet.
Open Workspace
Hold Control. With text selected → opens with that context. Without selection → fresh chat.
What you can do
Conversation
Multi-turn chat with memory. Ask follow-ups, go deeper, refine answers.
Research
Ask questions, get answers. Follow up with "show me a comparison table" or "explain step 3 in detail."
Iterate on Text
Select text → open Workspace → "make shorter", "more formal", "translate to Spanish." Keep refining.
Screen-Aware Questions
Attach a screenshot (camera icon) and ask "what's wrong here?" or "explain this diagram."
Run Actions
Open apps, search the web, run Shortcuts, adjust settings, execute scripts (with confirmation).
Interface
Keyboard Shortcuts
| Control (hold) | Open Workspace + dictate |
| Enter | Send message |
| ↑ / ↓ | Cycle input history |
| ⌘+N | New conversation |
| Escape | Close Workspace |
Tips
📋 Select text first
The AI gives much better answers when it has context about what you're working on.
📸 Use screenshots
Error messages, UI bugs, diagrams — attach a capture and ask about it.
🔄 Iterate freely
"Shorter", "more formal", "add bullets", "now in Spanish." Each builds on the last.
🆕 New Chat for new topics
Start fresh to prevent context confusion when switching tasks.
Settings
Customize everything to your workflow.
Shortcuts
| ⌥ | Voice Typing (hold to record) |
| ⌘+⌥ | AI Command (select text first) |
| Control | Open AI Workspace and dictate |
| ⌥+⇧+V | Paste last transcript |
| ⌘+⌥+R | Refine selection (no voice) |
| ⇧+Hotkey | Raw mode (bypass AI) |
Double-tap lock: tap twice to start hands-free recording, tap again to stop.
AI Refinement · Pro
| Balanced | Everyday use |
| Best | Most capable option |
Response time varies with your connection and request. Raw mode bypasses AI and remains free.
Text & Voice Shortcuts
- Voice Shortcuts — voice-triggered text expansions. Say "my email" → pastes your email address.
- Word Removals — auto-strip filler words (um, uh, like, you know)
- Word Remappings — auto-correct misheard terms (e.g., "cloud watch" → "CloudWatch")
- Always copy to clipboard — keep transcript on clipboard after paste
Voice & Mic
- Input device — select mic from dropdown
- Sound pack — Glass (subtle) or Marimba (playful)
- Voice calibration — read a passage to measure accuracy
Choose a style for each app
Open Settings → AI → Per-App Overrides and choose an app. Set its mode, style, tone, and quality. Enabled overrides apply when you dictate in that app; otherwise Auris uses your global settings.
These are example preferences you can choose. Pro is required for AI refinement. Raw dictation stays free in every app.
For AI tools such as Claude Code or Codex, Raw keeps your prompt’s wording. To bypass refinement temporarily, hold Shift with your Voice Typing hotkey.
Tips & Tricks
🎧 Use a headset
A boom mic close to your mouth = better accuracy + you can speak quietly. Any USB or wired headset works great.
🔇 Speak naturally
Don't over-enunciate. Conversational volume is perfect with a headset. The AI handles the rest.
Pause briefly before speaking
Wait for the recording indicator before speaking so the start of your sentence is captured.
🔄 Use follow-ups
After an AI Command response, use AI Command again: "make it shorter", "more formal", "add examples".
⇧ Raw mode shortcut
Hold Shift + your Voice Typing hotkey to bypass all AI refinement. Pure transcription, zero latency.
📋 Refine without voice
Select text → press ⌘+⌥+R to refine with AI. No speaking needed — great for cleaning up typed text.
Troubleshooting
Text doesn't paste into the active app
Check that Accessibility permission is granted in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility. Restart Auris after granting.
Hotkey doesn't work in some apps
Ensure Input Monitoring permission is granted. Some apps with custom input handling may interfere — try a different hotkey combination in Settings → Shortcuts.
Voice Typing misses the first word
Wait for the recording indicator before speaking. Adjust minimum key time in Settings → Shortcuts if the key releases too soon.
"Copied to clipboard" instead of pasting
Auris detected no editable text field is focused (e.g., you're on the desktop or in Finder). Your text is on the clipboard — click into a text field and press ⌘+V.
First-time setup is stuck
Check your internet connection and available storage, then restart Auris to retry. Keep your Mac connected until setup completes. If it still cannot finish, contact support.
Screen-Aware is slow
Images take additional processing time. Check your internet connection and turn screen context off when your question only needs text.