Quick Start
Make your first recording in 2 minutes
This guide will have you dictating text in under 2 minutes.
Step 1: Launch Yap
Open Yap from your Applications folder (macOS), Start Menu (Windows), or application launcher (Linux).
You’ll see the main window with:
- Home — Recording controls and status
- Settings — Configure transcription and hotkeys
- History — View past transcriptions
Step 2: Download a Model (Local Mode)
If you’re using local transcription (the default):
- Go to Settings
- Under Transcription Provider, ensure “Local” is selected
- Click on a model to download it
We recommend starting with base.en — it’s a good balance of speed and accuracy.
| Model | Size | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| tiny.en | ~75 MB | Quick dictation, low-power devices |
| base.en | ~150 MB | Daily use (recommended) |
| small.en | ~500 MB | Better accuracy |
| medium.en | ~1.5 GB | High accuracy |
| large-v3 | ~3 GB | Maximum accuracy |
Step 3: Grant Permissions (macOS)
On first recording, macOS will prompt for permissions:
- Microphone — Click “Allow” when prompted
- Accessibility — Go to System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility, and enable Yap
See the Permissions Guide for detailed instructions.
Step 4: Record Your First Dictation
- Open any application where you want to type (e.g., Notes, TextEdit, your browser)
- Click where you want the text to appear
- Press the Right Option key (⌥) to start recording
- Speak clearly into your microphone
- Press Right Option again to stop
The transcribed text will automatically paste where your cursor is!
Hotkey Options
You can change the recording hotkey in Settings:
| Hotkey | Key |
|---|---|
| Right Option | ⌥ (right side) |
| Left Option | ⌥ (left side) |
| Fn Key | fn |
| Double-tap Right Option | Quick double-tap |
Tips for Better Transcription
- Speak clearly — Natural pace, clear pronunciation
- Reduce background noise — Find a quiet spot
- Use an external mic — Better audio = better transcription
- Choose the right model — Larger models are more accurate