Clabrate turns your voice into clean, finished text right where your cursor already is — in any app on your Mac. There is no window to switch to and nothing to copy and paste. You hold a key, you talk, and the words land.
The core loop: Hold → Talk → Insert
- Hold the dictation key — by default that’s the right ⌥ Option key, on the right side of your space bar.
- Talk normally while you hold it. A small floating HUD shows that Clabrate is listening.
- Insert — release the key. A moment later your words are typed in at the cursor, in whatever app you’re using: Notes, Slack, Mail, your code editor, a browser text box, anywhere.
That’s the whole product. Everything else — enhancement, the assistant, shortcuts — builds on this one loop.
What makes it different
- It types where you already are. Clabrate inserts text at your cursor instead of making you dictate into its own box and copy it out.
- It runs on your Mac. Speech is transcribed on-device using Apple-silicon acceleration. Nothing about your voice has to leave the machine.
- It’s private by default. No analytics, no tracking, no accounts required to dictate. The only things that ever leave your Mac are app/model downloads, license checks, and anything you explicitly opt into — like a cloud AI model.
- It’s optional, layer by layer. Raw transcription is the default. AI enhancement, the voice assistant, and cloud models are all opt-in extras you turn on if and when you want them.
Note: Clabrate is a native macOS app for Apple silicon (M1 or newer), on macOS 11 Big Sur or later. It works fully offline in its default mode.
Where to go next
- New here? Start with Install & permissions, then Your first dictation.
- Want to understand the keys and modes? Read Dictation basics.
- Care about what stays on your device? See Privacy & your data.
Common questions
Do I have to talk to an AI? No. Out of the box Clabrate just transcribes what you say — raw text, no rewriting. AI enhancement is off until you turn it on.
Does it work in every app? Yes — anywhere you can type, Clabrate can insert text, once you grant Accessibility permission.
Is it always listening? No. It only listens while you hold (or toggle on) the dictation key. The rest of the time the microphone is idle.