Quick Start Video
New to TalkWriter? This page walks you through the key sections of our getting-started video. Follow along to go from installation to your first polished dictation in under five minutes.
Video Guide Sections
0:00 — Welcome & Overview
What TalkWriter is and what it does: a macOS voice dictation app that transcribes your speech and polishes it with AI. You will learn about the Fn key trigger, the pill overlay, and how text appears wherever your cursor is.
Key takeaway: TalkWriter works in any macOS app. No copy-pasting needed.
0:45 — Download & Install
How to download the correct DMG for your Mac (Apple Silicon or Intel), open the installer, and drag TalkWriter to your Applications folder.
Key takeaway: Check Apple menu > About This Mac to see whether you need the arm64 or x64 build.
See also: Download & Install
1:30 — First Launch & Permissions
Granting the two required macOS permissions (Microphone and Accessibility) and signing in with Google or email.
Key takeaway: Both permissions are required. Without them, TalkWriter cannot hear you or paste text.
See also: First Setup
2:15 — Your First Dictation
Pressing the Fn key, speaking a sentence, and watching TalkWriter transcribe, polish, and paste your text. Demonstrates the before-and-after of AI Polish.
Key takeaway: Speak naturally. Do not worry about punctuation or filler words. TalkWriter handles it.
See also: Your First Dictation
3:00 — Understanding the Pill Overlay
What the floating pill shows: idle state, listening animation, processing spinner, and pasting confirmation. How to read the waveform for audio feedback.
Key takeaway: The pill is your real-time status indicator. If the waveform is flat, TalkWriter is not hearing you clearly.
See also: Understanding the Pill
3:45 — Push-to-Talk vs Live Mode
The difference between the two dictation modes. Push-to-Talk (hold Fn) is best for short bursts. Live mode (toggle Fn) is best for long-form writing.
Key takeaway: Start with Push-to-Talk. Switch to Live mode when you are comfortable dictating for longer periods.
See also: Live vs PTT
4:15 — Pro Features Preview
A quick look at TalkTone (writing style adaptation) and Banglish (Bangla via English letters). Both require a Pro subscription.
Key takeaway: The free plan gives you 2,000 words/week with AI Polish. Pro adds unlimited words, TalkTone, and Banglish for $9.99/month.
See also: Free vs Pro
4:45 — Next Steps
Where to go from here: explore the Scratchpad, set up your Dictionary, create Snippets, and customize your settings.
Timestamped Quick Reference
| Time | Topic | Related Article |
|---|---|---|
| 0:00 | Welcome & overview | What Is TalkWriter? |
| 0:45 | Download & install | Download & Install |
| 1:30 | Permissions & sign-in | First Setup |
| 2:15 | First dictation | Your First Dictation |
| 3:00 | Pill overlay | Understanding the Pill |
| 3:45 | PTT vs Live mode | Live vs PTT |
| 4:15 | Pro features | Free vs Pro |
| 4:45 | Next steps | Keyboard Shortcuts |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch the video? The video is available on the TalkWriter website and YouTube channel. Check talkwriter.ai for the latest link.
Is there a text-only version of this guide? Yes. Every section above links to a detailed written article. You do not need to watch the video to learn TalkWriter.
I followed the video but dictation is not working. What should I check? Verify your permissions are granted (First Setup) and that your microphone is working (Microphone Best Practices).
Was this helpful? Let us know at support@talkwriter.ai