Voice typing in VS Code on a Mac (Dictation + Voice Type)                        Skip to main content




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Voice typing in VS Code on a Mac
Use macOS Dictation anywhere you can type in VS Code, or use Voice Type for a dedicated hotkey that works across apps.
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Last updated: 2025-12-27  VS Code doesn’t need a special dictation feature on macOS. If your cursor is in an editor, terminal input, commit message box, or PR description field in the browser, you can dictate with system-wide Dictation.

Option A: Use built-in macOS Dictation (fastest setup)

Open System Settings → Keyboard → Dictation → switch Dictation On.

Confirm the Dictation shortcut (often Fn twice).

In VS Code, click where you want text (comment/docstring/commit message).

Start Dictation, speak, then stop to insert the text.
Tip: Dictation is best for prose (comments, READMEs, changelogs). For raw code syntax, most developers still type.

Option B: Use Voice Type (better daily workflow)

Install Voice Type from the Mac App Store.

Set a hold‑to‑dictate hotkey that won’t collide with VS Code shortcuts.

Hold the hotkey to dictate; release to finalize.
This is especially helpful when you jump between VS Code, GitHub, Linear/Jira, Slack, and docs — the hotkey stays the same everywhere.

High-conversion use cases in VS Code (what to dictate)

Function/class comments and docstrings (first draft)

Commit messages (short but easy to overthink)

Changelogs and release notes

PR review comments (explain the why, then edit)

Troubleshooting (mic permissions)

System Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone → allow VS Code (and Voice Type if you use it).

Dictation not working on Mac (checklist)

Sources

Apple: Dictate messages and documents on Mac

Apple: Control access to the microphone on Mac

VS Code Docs: Voice support

VS Code Docs: Accessibility in Visual Studio Code


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