Keyboard & Triggers

FloWords responds to keyboard shortcuts and mouse buttons to start/stop recording. Configure triggers that fit your workflow.

Default Trigger

FloWords comes with a default trigger:

Trigger	Action
F5	Toggle recording (press to start, press again to stop)

Trigger Modes

Toggle Mode

Press once to start recording, press again to stop. Best for longer dictation.

Hold Mode

Hold to record, release to stop. Best for quick notes and precise control.

Toggle Mode (Default)

Press trigger key → Recording starts
Speak your content
Press trigger key again → Recording stops
Transcription is pasted

Best for:

Long dictation sessions
When you need both hands free
Thoughtful, paced speaking

Hold Mode

Press and hold trigger key → Recording starts
Speak while holding
Release trigger key → Recording stops
Transcription is pasted

Best for:

Quick notes and commands
Rapid-fire dictation
When you want precise control
Push-to-talk style

Configuring Triggers

Change Primary Trigger

Open Settings (⌘,)
Go to Trigger Keys tab
Click on current trigger (e.g., “F5”)
Press your new desired key/combination
Confirm the change

Enable Hold Mode

Open Settings > Trigger Keys
Find Trigger Behavior section
Toggle Hold to Record ON
Close Settings

Multiple Triggers

FloWords supports up to 5 different triggers. This allows:

Different triggers for different purposes
Backup triggers if one conflicts
Trigger per recording mode

Adding Additional Triggers

Go to Settings > Trigger Keys
Click Add Trigger
Record the new trigger
Configure its behavior (toggle/hold)
Save

Example Multi-Trigger Setup

Trigger	Mode	Purpose
F5	Toggle	General dictation
Mouse Button 4	Hold	Quick notes
Ctrl+Shift+R	Toggle	Recording with enhancement
F6	Toggle	Recording without enhancement

Supported Trigger Types

Keyboard Keys

Function keys: F1-F12
Letter keys: A-Z (with modifiers)
Number keys: 0-9 (with modifiers)
Special keys: Space, Tab, Caps Lock, etc.

Modifier Combinations

Modifier	macOS Symbol
Command	⌘
Option	⌥
Control	⌃
Shift	⇧

Examples:

⌘ + Shift + D
⌃ + Space
⌥ + F1

Mouse Buttons

Button 4 (back button on mice with extra buttons)
Button 5 (forward button)
Middle click (scroll wheel click)

Trigger Requirements

Accessibility Permission

For triggers to work globally, FloWords needs Accessibility permission:

Open System Settings
Go to Privacy & Security > Accessibility
Enable FloWords
Restart FloWords if prompted

Conflict Resolution

If a trigger conflicts with another app:

FloWords shows a warning
You can choose to override or select different trigger
System shortcuts (like ⌘Q) cannot be used

Reserved Keys

Some keys cannot be used as triggers:

Escape (reserved for cancel)
⌘Q (system quit)
⌘Tab (app switching)
Power/Eject buttons

Advanced Trigger Options

Per-Trigger Settings

Each trigger can have unique settings:

Setting	Description
Mode	Toggle or Hold
Enhancement	Enable/disable AI enhancement
Prompt	Specific enhancement prompt
Sound	Audio feedback on activation

Double-Press Actions

Configure what happens on double-press:

Action	Behavior
Cancel Recording	Stop without transcribing
Toggle Enhancement	Switch enhancement on/off
Change Model	Quick model switch

Best Practices

Choosing Good Triggers

DO use:

Rarely used function keys (F5, F6)
Extra mouse buttons
Unique modifier combinations
Keys that don’t conflict with your apps

DON’T use:

Common shortcuts (⌘C, ⌘V)
Keys you use for typing
System-reserved shortcuts
Keys that conflict with your main apps

Ergonomic Considerations

Place triggers within easy reach
Consider single-hand operation
Mouse buttons for hold mode
Keyboard for toggle mode

Workflow Integration

Workflow	Recommended Trigger
General dictation	F5 (toggle)
Quick notes	Mouse button (hold)
Coding	⌘⇧D (toggle)
Email	F6 (toggle)
Chat	Mouse button 4 (hold)

Troubleshooting

Trigger Not Working

Check Accessibility permission is granted
Verify FloWords is running
Check for key conflicts with other apps
Try a different trigger
Restart FloWords

Trigger Works Inconsistently

Some apps may capture keys before FloWords
Try different key combination
Check if issue is app-specific
Use mouse button as alternative

Mouse Button Not Detected

Ensure mouse drivers are installed
Some mice require additional software
Try different button assignment
Check mouse in System Settings

Delay Before Recording Starts

Normal: Brief delay is expected
Long delay: Check system performance
Check if other audio apps are running
Try restarting FloWords

Quick Reference

Keyboard Shortcuts

Action	Default	Customizable
Start/Stop Recording	F5	Yes
Cancel Recording	Esc	No
Open Settings	⌘,	No
Quick Model Switch	-	Yes
Toggle Enhancement	-	Yes

Trigger States

State	Indicator
Ready	Normal menu bar icon
Recording	Animated icon + recorder visible
Processing	Loading indicator
Complete	Brief checkmark

Next Steps

Configure the Recorder interface
Review All Shortcuts for the complete list