Free Mac dictation guide

Free Mac dictation setup, tuned to you.

GapShap is a free private dictation app for Mac. Two settings make it feel like yours: the shortcut that starts recording and the dictionary that teaches it your names, links, sign-offs, and repeated phrases.

Set shortcut Add dictionary item

Settings Guide

Before you start

Open GapShap from the menu bar.

Click the mic in your Mac menu bar.

GapShap opens a compact panel with recent transcripts, insights, and the Settings button.

Open Settings.

Settings is where you choose your microphone, recording mode, keyboard shortcut, dictionary, appearance, and transcript storage controls.

Create a shortcut

Choose the keys that start recording.

Use something memorable that does not fight your other apps. GapShap can work as a hold-to-record shortcut or a toggle, depending on how you like to dictate.

Go to Settings → Shortcut.

Find the current shortcut badge, then press Record.

Press your new key combo.

Try a clean combo like Option + Space or Control + Option + Space.

Pick Hold or Toggle.

Hold feels like push-to-talk. Toggle is better for longer notes.

Shortcut Press shortcut

⌥ + Space Ready to record

Manage the dictionary

Teach GapShap the words you always fix.

Add corrections for product names, people, links, email sign-offs, and any phrase you say one way but want written another way.

Dictionary Learned corrections

Settings → Dictionary → Manage Open the learned corrections list.
Click Add Create a new replacement rule.
Fill Replace and With Use the spoken phrase first, then the exact text you want pasted.
Save GapShap applies it automatically in future dictations.

Add correction Example

Replace book a call With https://calendly.com/

Next time you say it

GapShap pastes the link instead.

Good dictionary ideas

Start with the phrases you correct every week.

gap shap GapShap

regards fame Regards
Fame

discovery call link https://calendly.com/

my email hello@example.com

Ready to dictate

Set the shortcut. Teach the dictionary. Then talk.

Once those two pieces are in place, GapShap feels less like an app and more like a writing habit.