Getting Started
Up and running in under 2 minutes.
Download & Install
Open the DMG, drag Auris to Applications, launch from Spotlight or Applications folder.
Grant Permissions
Voice Model Downloads
The on-device transcription model (~200MB) downloads automatically on first launch. Takes about 30 seconds.
Press & Speak
Hold your hotkey (default: ⌥ Option), speak naturally, release. Text appears wherever your cursor is.
Dictation vs AI Command
Two modes, one hotkey each.
Dictation
You talk, it types.
AI Command
You instruct, it acts.
When to use which?
Screen-Aware AI
AI Command can see your screen. No screenshots to take, no copy-pasting errors into ChatGPT.
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".
Workspace
A persistent AI chat panel that floats above your apps. Research, iterate, and execute — all in one place.
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
| ⌥ | Dictation (hold to record) |
| ⌘+⌥ | AI Command (select text first) |
| ⌥+⇧+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
| Fast | ~0.5s | Quick replies |
| Balanced | ~1s | Everyday use |
| Premium | ~2s | Important emails |
| Best | ~3s | Critical writing |
📝 Text & Snippets
- Snippets — 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
- Transcription model — Parakeet v3 (multilingual) or Fast 110M (English, fastest)
- Sound pack — Glass (subtle) or Marimba (playful)
- Voice calibration — read a passage to measure accuracy
Per-App Intelligence
Set it once, forget it forever. Auris adapts automatically.
Configure in Settings → AI → App Overrides. Each app can have its own tone, tier, and mode.
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 ~0.5s after pressing the hotkey. The mic needs a moment to activate.
🔄 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 dictation 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.
Dictation misses the first word
Start speaking slightly after pressing the hotkey (~0.5 seconds). The mic needs a moment to activate. Adjust minimum key time in Settings → Shortcuts.
"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.
Model download stuck
Check your internet connection. The model (~200MB) downloads on first launch. Restart Auris to retry.
Screen-Aware is slow
Expected — image processing adds 10-15 seconds. Use Best or Premium tier for better visual analysis. Turn off Screen-Aware when you don't need it.