OpenTypeless for Windows: Setup, Hotkeys, and Text Insertion

Typeless has its own Windows app. This guide sets up a separate product, OpenTypeless, for desktop dictation. Start with one short sentence in a plain text field, then test the applications you actually use. For the official Typeless app, follow its own download and setup documentation.

Before you start

You need a working microphone, the Windows desktop app, and an available speech-to-text (STT) route. BYOK requires the credentials and account access for your selected provider. The MIT desktop license, provider usage charges, and hosted service plans are separate. A local route needs its own running compatible service and suitable machine resources.

1. Download and open the Windows build

Use the project download page and choose the Windows release asset for your machine. Install it and open OpenTypeless once before configuring a global shortcut. When upgrading an existing installation, preserve your configuration and check the release notes instead of importing an unrelated installer or configuration.

2. Check microphone access and input

In Windows Settings, open Privacy & security > Microphone on Windows 11, or Privacy > Microphone on Windows 10. Allow microphone access and desktop app access where those controls are available. In System > Sound > Input, select your microphone and confirm that the input meter responds. Check mute switches and reconnect a headset if Windows receives silence.

3. Configure the speech-to-text route

In the speech recognition settings, select a supported provider and enter its required key, model, and endpoint settings. Test the route, then dictate a short non-sensitive sentence. An authentication or quota error belongs to the provider configuration; an empty recording belongs to the microphone path. For local STT, configure a Custom Whisper-compatible endpoint and make sure that service is running.

4. Configure and check AI polishing

If you use AI polishing, configure its LLM provider separately and test that connection. Compare the recognized text with the polished result: check names, numbers, negation, code identifiers, and meaning. Local polishing can use Ollama, but a local LLM does not make a cloud STT route local. Inspect both configured endpoints when the processing destination matters. Local STT uses a running Custom Whisper-compatible endpoint; Ollama is the separate local LLM route for text polishing.

5. Test the hotkey and recording mode

Open the hotkey settings and use the shortcut and recording mode shown in your installed version. Test whether holding, releasing, or pressing again starts and stops recording as configured. Change a conflicting shortcut, save it, and retry while your editor or browser is focused. A shortcut working in the app does not prove that another application will receive the final text.

6. Verify text insertion in each application

First focus an empty plain text field and dictate one sentence. Check that the result reaches the intended field without replacing unrelated selected text, then test undo. Repeat in a browser form and your daily editor or chat app. If transcription succeeds but nothing is inserted, check focus, editable-field support, the configured insertion mode, and any difference in application privilege level. Avoid repeatedly dictating into an unfocused window.

If the first dictation fails

• No audio: check the Windows input meter, selected microphone, mute switch, and desktop microphone permission.
• No hotkey response: check the saved binding, recording mode, shortcut conflict, and any registration error.
• STT error: check the selected route, credentials, endpoint, model availability, quota, and connection.
• Polishing error or changed meaning: check the separate LLM connection and compare the transcript before changing the prompt or model.
• Text exists but is not inserted: check the active field and insertion settings; retry in a simple text field to isolate the destination application.

Your setup completion checklist

• The selected microphone receives a short sentence and recording stops when expected.
• The speech route returns a readable transcript; the polishing route, if used, preserves your intended meaning.
• Your saved shortcut works in the applications you use without a conflicting action.
• The final text appears in the intended field and you have checked selection and undo behavior.
• You know which endpoints process audio and text, and which provider or hosted plan pays for the usage.

Open the guide for the step you need