Installing Talkie
Download the signed Mac build from the Talkie downloads page. You can also install it with `curl -fsSL go.usetalkie.com/install | bash`. The command downloads the app, installs the command-line tools, and launches Talkie.
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Common topics.
16 articles across 5 sections. Each entry stands on its own.
01 / GETTING STARTED
Your first dictation
Press the global hotkey (default: Option+D) from anywhere on your Mac to start dictating. Speak naturally. Talkie transcribes locally on your device using the Neural Engine. Press the hotkey again or click the menu bar icon to stop. Your text is copied to the clipboard automatically.
Keyboard shortcuts
Option+D starts/stops dictation. Option+T opens Talkie. You can customize these in Talkie Settings > Shortcuts. The global hotkey works system-wide, even when Talkie is in the background.
02 / PLANNED MAC OFFER
Is the paid Mac offer active?
No. The current Mac build is free to download. The planned offer is a 7-day free trial, then $39 USD as a one-time payment. Checkout and license activation are not active yet.
How will the trial work?
Starts after the first successful dictation. No Talkie account or payment card to start. No automatic charge. These rules describe the planned offer, not the current build.
What will happen after the trial?
New dictation stops after the trial until you buy a license. Existing recordings, transcripts, and exports stay available. This behavior must be implemented and tested before the paid offer starts.
Are the mobile apps part of the Mac license?
Talkie Phone and the Apple Watch app are free. They do not require a Mac license.
03 / DATA & PRIVACY
Where is my data stored?
Your Talkie library is stored in a local SQLite database on your Mac. If you enable iCloud sync, Apple stores the synced copy in your private CloudKit container. Talkie does not operate a server for your synced library.
Syncing across devices
Talkie uses Apple iCloud and CloudKit to sync between your devices. Enable sync in Settings > iCloud. All synced devices must use the same Apple ID.
Setting up API keys
Go to Settings > API Keys. Enter your OpenAI or Anthropic key. Talkie stores the key in the macOS Keychain and reads it when you use the provider. Talkie does not send the key to a Talkie server.
04 / ADVANCED
Using the CLI
The Talkie CLI lets you capture and transcribe from the terminal. Run `talkie capture` to record, `talkie list` to see recent captures, and `talkie transcribe` to process audio files. Run `talkie --help` for all commands.
Workflows & automation
Workflows let you run AI actions on your transcriptions. You can summarize, extract action items, translate, or send data to external services. Create workflows in Settings > Workflows or use a built-in template.
Mobile capture
Use Talkie for iPhone to capture voice memos when you are away from your Mac. If you enable iCloud sync, recordings can sync to your Mac for local transcription.
05 / TROUBLESHOOTING
Microphone not working
Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone and ensure Talkie is enabled. If the hotkey does not trigger recording, check System Settings > Privacy & Security > Accessibility. Restart Talkie after granting permissions.
Sync issues
Ensure all devices are on the same Apple ID with iCloud Drive enabled. Check Settings > iCloud in Talkie to confirm sync is active. If data is not appearing, try toggling sync off and on. Large recordings may take a few minutes to sync.
App will not launch or crashes
Download the current signed build again and reinstall it. If you use the command-line tools, run `talkie doctor` to diagnose issues. Check Console.app for crash logs. Talkie requires macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later.
· STILL NEED HELP
CHANNEL · 01 / EMAIL
Send a message.
Reach the team at hello@usetalkie.com. Include your macOS version and a short description. We will reply by email.
OPEN MAILCHANNEL · 02 / REFERENCE
Read the docs.
Long-form documentation, CLI reference, and security architecture for engineers who want to know exactly what Talkie does and where data lives.