Fact-checked · Last verified August 24, 2026

How to dictate in VS Code
with its built-in on-device speech model

VS Code includes voice dictation by default for chat, the Agents window, editors, and terminals, using an on-device speech model by default. Start it from the Voice command or shortcut; use WhisperJot when you want one dictation workflow that continues outside VS Code.

Get WhisperJot Try the browser demo
Voice dictation

The built-in option

VS Code's built-in voice dictation is a strong on-device option and is enabled by default. It works in chat, the Agents window, editors, and terminals without sending audio to an online service by default. Native support covers Windows x64 and Arm64, Apple-silicon Macs, and Linux x64 or Arm64 with glibc 2.34 or newer. On web, Intel Macs, 32-bit systems, and Alpine Linux, Microsoft directs users to its VS Code Speech extension.

  1. Put the text cursor in VS Code chat, the Agents window, an editor, or a terminal.
  2. Run Voice: Start Dictation in Editor from the Command Palette, or press Ctrl+Alt+V on Windows and Linux or Cmd+Opt+V on macOS.
  3. Speak your text, then stop dictation and review what the on-device speech model entered in the active surface.
One hotkey across apps

Dictate in VS Code with WhisperJot

  1. Install WhisperJot and position the caret in the VS Code editor, integrated terminal, chat, or other writable field.
  2. Press ⌥Space on macOS, Ctrl+Alt+Space on Windows or Linux, or hold fn on a Mac to begin capturing speech.
  3. Read the live partials in the floating HUD, use a command such as “new paragraph” if needed, and finish to inject the processed text.
  4. Switch to an issue tracker, Slack, a browser, or email and invoke the identical WhisperJot shortcut in the newly focused app.

The same voice outside VS Code

VS Code already offers good local dictation; WhisperJot's added value is carrying one hotkey into other focused desktop applications.

Stack-aware vocabulary

Custom vocabulary can include framework names, identifiers, and technical terms that recur in your development work.

Speech cleanup controls

Filler removal, automatic punctuation and capitalization, plus commands such as “all caps” help turn spoken thoughts into usable text.

Injection tuned per app

Per-app injection overrides let VS Code use insertion behavior suited to an editor while neighboring applications retain their own settings.

Questions

Straight answers.

Does VS Code have built-in voice dictation?

Current VS Code releases include voice dictation and enable it by default for chat, the Agents window, editors, and terminals. The feature uses an on-device speech model by default, so audio is not sent to an online service in that configuration. It is a capable native choice for supported platforms.

What is the shortcut for VS Code voice dictation?

Place the cursor in a supported VS Code surface, then press Ctrl+Alt+V on Windows or Linux, or Cmd+Opt+V on macOS. You can also open the Command Palette and run Voice: Start Dictation in Editor. VS Code's voice documentation covers additional voice controls and current availability details.

Which platforms support VS Code's on-device dictation?

VS Code lists native support for Windows x64 and Arm64, macOS on Apple silicon, and Linux x64 or Arm64 with glibc 2.34 or later. Unsupported platforms—including VS Code for the web, Intel Macs, 32-bit systems, and Alpine Linux—can use Microsoft's VS Code Speech extension instead.

Why use WhisperJot if VS Code already has good dictation?

VS Code's built-in dictation is already a solid, on-device default inside the editor. WhisperJot is useful when your spoken workflow also crosses into Slack, browsers, email, and other desktop apps. It additionally offers custom vocabulary, filler removal, voice commands, per-app tone, and per-app injection overrides under one global shortcut.

Can WhisperJot recognize programming identifiers in VS Code?

You can add framework names, project terms, and identifiers to WhisperJot's custom vocabulary. This provides context for terms that may not appear in general speech. As with any dictation output, review code and terminal commands before running them, especially where punctuation or an exact identifier changes behavior.

Sources, checked August 24, 2026: VS Code voice docs. Vendor features change — check each product's documentation for current behavior.

Browse WhisperJot use cases, compare dictation apps, or check the system requirements.

Dictate in VS Code and everywhere else.

One $99/year plan includes unlimited dictation across your focused desktop apps.

Get WhisperJot — $99/year