TalkTastic consists of several key elements: your shortcut(s), the menu bar, the dock icon and dock app, the active microphone bubble, and the transcript windows. These components work together to create your TalkTastic experience.
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Let us introduce you to each of these elements and explain what to expect.

Getting accustomed to using TalkTastic anywhere you are means putting your cursor where you would normally type and engage your shortcut. It's that simple. TalkTastic has multiple ways to quickly and easily initiate a TalkTastic session via a Keyboard Shortcut, the Cursor Shortcut, and via the Menu bar.
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In many was, your shortcut is TalkTastic. So, we'll start with shortcuts.

While you were installing the app, TalkTastic asked you to choose a keyboard shortcut to personalize your workspace. The makes it so TalkTastic is available in any app, any place where you can type or paste text.

The Cursor Shortcut offers a convenient way to engage TalkTastic directly within select applications. Look for the microphone in a text field . Simply hover over the microphone icon and click to start a new recording — no keyboard required.

We've learned that while some users prefer keyboard shortcuts, others are more comfortable with mouse-based interactions. The Cursor Shortcut is designed for those who like to keep things simple and intuitive with just their mouse. Simply select a text field and the Cursor Shortcut will appear, hover and go.

Click the three dots next to the microphone to access a menu with extra options, such as disabling Cursor Shortcut in a specific app for 24 hours. This gives you flexibility without changing your workflow.

From the Menu Bar you can engage TalkTastic with the click of a mouse. Simply locate the TalkTastic logo in the upper right corner of your computer screen near the time and the first menu bar item is Tap to TalkTastic. This will engage TalkTastic showing the Active Microphone Bubble and menu bar icons indicating recording.
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When using TalkTastic, whether in an email, browser, or document, you'll see an element called the Active Microphone Bubble. This indicates that recording is in progress and provides an on-screen stop button for you to use if needed.
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This is your indicator that TalkTastic hears you and is recording. This will most likely be at the center of the screen toward the bottom.

Native to  macOS are recording indicators in the menu bar. When TalkTastic is recording you will see an orange microphone in the menu bar and an orange dot next to the Control Center.
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TalkTastic shows you two windows, one is a cleaned up transcript of what you have said and another uses AI to rewrite it to clean it up to give you a fuller message with spelling checked.
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In the example below you'll se that the top window shows what most dictation apps might here eg "TopTastic". The second one correctly captures "TalkTastic." It also displays what the Transcript Window looks like when you're using TalkTastic in Safari.
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The rewrite is cleaned up a bit, with better grammar (thank you, TalkTastic) and correct spelling and punctuation.
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At the top right-hand corner of your screen near the clock, you will see the TalkTastic microphone icon . This is where the TalkTastic settings are and a place where you can do a few exciting things.

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TalkTastic's signature feature is understanding what you are writing in the context in which you are writing it. You can dictate speech and get refined rewrites based on your screen context. What that means is that TalkTastic can take a one-time screenshot in the window where your text cursor is to determine how to best rewrite your raw, spoken words. The benefit of this feature is that it spells names and technical terms correctly, it can determine whether the tone of your communications is casual or formal.

In this example, there is a Finder icon and and indicator of which app my is the Context that TalkTastic will take a Snapshot.
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The default settings for TalkTastic are to Save the Snapshot. Upon first run of TalkTastic, you can come to the menu bar and update your settings should you desire. We don't recommend it without at least trying Context because it's magical!
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Save Snapshot means it is saved in a private repository for you to recall when we have history and notes. Primarily people keep Saved on during our beta launch so can help track down issues.
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Delete Snapshot means we use the Snapshot to create the rewrites for you. We, then, delete it immediately.
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Finally, you have the option to turn it Off completely. We understand that some people might be uncomfortable with a screenshot from their computer being interpolated by a machine and retained on a computer.

We value productivity and want to make your experience with TalkTastic. One feature that helps with this is the ability to say what you want with the touch of a button and have it auto-insert where you are writing.
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If you are in a text field and it is selected, TalkTastic default settings are to auto-paste into that text field.

The settings are controlled in the menu bar under auto-paste. If that is set to off, you can choose to have the recommended, transcript, and rewrite available as choices.
- Choose for Me allows AI to pick the best response in context.

- Ghostwriter has an AI filter that rewrite the spoken word for you.
- Transcript is a cleaned up transcript of what you have spoken.

- Manually - If you want to copy and paste yourself, you can turn off auto-insert and choose which result you would like to insert manually.

This menu item will tell you if we have the microphone set, what it is set to, and allows you to make changes to the microphone in use. Here you are able to select between available microphones. In this example there is only one microphone to choose from on an iMac.

You'll be taken to a video from our founder, Matt Mireles, explaining how feedback is important to us in continuing to build a product for you. You can send video, audio, or text. Mouseover the video to get options for replying including voice, video, or text.
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Here you can manage which shortcut you use, access system settings for each of the permissions we keep, get help, schedule some one-on-one time with our CEO, manage your account with logout, check for updates, and quit TalkTastic.

You may find that the keyboard shortcut you chose during onboarding no longer works for you. In that case, it's very easy to change your keyboard shortcut in the Menu Bar Settings & More Menu. In the image below, you can see your the shortcut currently assigned or choose another.
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TalkTastic currently offers several tested combinations for keyboard shortcuts.

Here you can update your Required Permissions to use TalkTastic, and updated optional permissions for Open at Login and Screen recording.

TalkTastic keeps your app updated in the background, however should you need to update manually you can update from the Settings & More.

Should you ever need to Quit TalkTastic, you can come to Settings & More and select Quit.
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