Documentation

Everything you need to get started with Finch

Quick Start

  1. 1

    Install Finch

    Download and run the installer from the download page

  2. 2

    Complete Setup

    Choose local (free, private) or cloud (fast) transcription

  3. 3

    Start Dictating

    Hold Ctrl + ` and speak. Release to transcribe.

Getting Started

Installation, setup, and your first dictation

Recording Modes

Push-to-talk, toggle, and voice-activated modes

Transcription

Local and cloud engines, model sizes, GPU acceleration

AI Features

Text cleanup, context detection, smart formatting

Voice Commands

Keyboard commands and AI-powered actions

Dictionary & Snippets

Custom vocabulary and text expansion

Privacy Mode

True offline operation, zero network access

Settings

Hotkeys, preferences, backup, and updates

Troubleshooting

Common issues and solutions

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Looking for the complete documentation?

View Full User Guide on GitHub

Frequently Asked Questions

Which transcription engine should I use?

Local: Best for privacy, offline use, and no ongoing costs. Requires model download (142 MB - 1.5 GB).

Groq: Best for speed. Free API key, fastest cloud processing.

OpenAI: Best for accuracy. Paid API, highest quality.

Can I use Finch offline?
Yes! Download a local Whisper model and Finch works completely offline. No internet required.
What does Privacy Mode do?

Privacy Mode guarantees zero network connections. When enabled:

  • Forces local-only transcription (no cloud APIs)
  • Disables LLM text processing (no AI cleanup)
  • Disables AI voice commands
  • Blocks automatic update checks
  • Skips history saving

Perfect for air-gapped environments or users who need complete offline operation.

How do I change the hotkey?
Right-click the Finch button → Settings → Hotkey → Click "Change Hotkey" → Press your new key combination.
What's the maximum recording length?
Finch supports recordings up to 3 minutes. A warning appears at 2 minutes 50 seconds.
Is my voice data stored?

Audio: Never saved to disk. Processed in memory and cleared.

Transcripts: Optionally saved in local history (can be disabled in Privacy Mode).

How do I get a Groq API key?
  1. Visit console.groq.com
  2. Create a free account
  3. Go to API Keys
  4. Create a new key (starts with gsk_)
  5. Paste it in Finch Settings → Transcription