Using the Scratchpad
The Scratchpad is TalkWriter's built-in writing space. It gives you a dedicated area to dictate, type, and edit text — all without leaving the app. Think of it as a focused notepad designed for voice-first workflows.
What Is the Scratchpad?
While TalkWriter can insert dictated text into any application on your Mac, the Scratchpad is its native editor. It is ideal for:
- Drafting content before pasting it elsewhere
- Quick notes during calls or meetings
- Focused writing where you want zero distractions
- Testing dictation to fine-tune your dictionary and settings
How to Open the Scratchpad
There are three ways to open it:
| Method | How |
|---|---|
| Menu bar | Click the TalkWriter icon and select Open Scratchpad |
| Keyboard shortcut | Press Cmd + Shift + S (customizable in Keyboard Shortcuts) |
| Dock icon | Click the TalkWriter icon in your Dock |
Dictating in the Scratchpad
- Open the Scratchpad
- Press and hold your Push-to-Talk key (default: Right Option key) or click the microphone button
- Speak naturally — your words appear in real time
- Release the key or click the microphone again to stop
Dictated text flows into the Scratchpad at the current cursor position, just like typing.
Typing in the Scratchpad
You can also type directly. The Scratchpad supports standard text editing:
- Cut, copy, paste (Cmd + X / C / V)
- Undo and redo (Cmd + Z / Cmd + Shift + Z)
- Select all (Cmd + A)
Mixing Dictation and Typing
The Scratchpad is designed for a hybrid workflow. Dictate a rough draft, then switch to the keyboard to refine it. Your text snippets work in the Scratchpad too — type a trigger and it expands automatically.
Use the Scratchpad as a staging area. Dictate your thoughts freely, edit for clarity, then copy the polished text into your destination app.
Key Features
Live Word Count
A word count is displayed at the bottom of the Scratchpad window. It updates in real time as you dictate or type.
Auto-Save
The Scratchpad automatically saves your work. If you close the window or quit TalkWriter, your text is preserved and waiting when you return.
AI Polish
If AI Polish is enabled, dictated text is automatically cleaned up — filler words removed, punctuation added, and grammar corrected.
New Session
Click the New Session button in the toolbar to archive the current content and start a blank session. Your previous work is saved in Session History.
Each Scratchpad session is saved to your session history. You can always go back and find past work.
FAQ
Is the Scratchpad just for dictation? No. You can type, paste, and edit text freely — dictation is simply one way to get text into it.
Does the Scratchpad support rich text formatting? The Scratchpad is a plain text editor optimized for speed. For rich formatting, dictate in the Scratchpad and paste into your preferred word processor.
Can I have multiple Scratchpad windows open? TalkWriter uses a single Scratchpad window. Start a new session to archive your current work and begin fresh.
Where is my Scratchpad text stored? Content is stored locally on your Mac. See Data Retention for full privacy details.