Text where the caret is
Unlike Agent-only voice input, WhisperJot can type into a focused editor location, comment, commit message, or other writable Cursor control.
Fact-checked · Last verified August 24, 2026
How to dictate in Cursor
How to dictate in Cursor
beyond the Agent prompt
Cursor provides native voice input for the AI Agent prompt, activated by holding Ctrl+M in the Agents window, but it is not general editor dictation. For spoken text in code files, comments, commit messages, or other apps, use OS dictation or WhisperJot with the target field focused.
Voice input (Agent prompt)
The built-in option
Cursor added native voice input with Cursor 2.0 and later updated it in the 3.1 changelog. It records while Ctrl+M is held in the Agents window and turns the full clip into an Agent prompt after release. This is a convenient way to talk to the Agent, but it does not provide general speech-to-text in a code file or arbitrary Cursor field. OS dictation and system-wide tools cover those other text-entry locations. Cursor has not documented where this transcription is processed in the cited materials.
- Open Cursor's Agents window and place focus in the Agent prompt.
- Press and hold Ctrl+M while speaking, then release it so Cursor can transcribe the complete clip into the prompt.
One hotkey across apps
Dictate in Cursor with WhisperJot
- Launch WhisperJot, open Cursor, and click where text belongs—such as an editor comment, Agent prompt, or commit-message field.
- Begin with ⌥Space on macOS or Ctrl+Alt+Space on Windows and Linux; Mac users can alternatively hold fn.
- Say the passage or prompt while the floating HUD shows partial results, then stop to place the cleaned transcription in the selected field.
- Repeat that hotkey after moving to any other focused desktop application; no Cursor extension is involved.
Identifiers in your vocabulary
Teach custom vocabulary the names used by your codebase so uncommon packages, symbols, and product terms receive added context.
Local engines for offline work
WhisperJot processes speech on-device by default with its local engines, which run fully offline following the roughly 2.3 GB model download.
Not confined to an Agent box
A single activation shortcut follows you from Cursor into a terminal app, project notes, code review, or team conversation.
Questions
Straight answers.
Does Cursor have built-in voice input?
Yes, but it is scoped to the AI Agent prompt. In the Agents window, press and hold Ctrl+M while speaking, then release it. Cursor processes the full recorded clip into prompt text. This native feature does not act as general dictation inside code files or every arbitrary text field.
How do I dictate directly into the Cursor code editor?
Cursor's cited voice feature targets the Agent prompt rather than the code editor. To dictate at an editor caret, focus the desired location and use operating-system dictation or a system-wide tool such as WhisperJot. Always inspect dictated code or commands carefully before saving or executing the result.
Can I use the VS Code Speech extension in Cursor?
Cursor does not verify support for Microsoft's VS Code Speech extension in the cited materials, so this guide does not rely on that route. For editor-wide voice entry, use macOS Dictation, Windows voice typing, or a separate system-wide dictation application whose supported fields and operating systems are documented.
Where does Cursor process Agent voice transcription?
The Cursor 3.1 changelog describes holding Ctrl+M and batch-transcribing the complete clip, but the cited Cursor materials do not say where that speech transcription runs. Avoid assuming it is local or cloud-based. Consult Cursor's current documentation and privacy information if processing location affects your decision.
Can WhisperJot dictate in Cursor without an extension?
WhisperJot types into the Cursor field that has focus and does not require a Cursor extension. Its local engines process speech on-device by default and can work fully offline after the initial model download. Custom vocabulary can provide context for recurring project identifiers and technical terms.
Sources, checked August 24, 2026: Cursor 3.1 changelog, Cursor 2.0 announcement. Vendor features change — check each product's documentation for current behavior.
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