Voice commands

The built-in commands, and how to write your own.

A voice command is a phrase Vox acts on instead of typing out. Say it mid-dictation and Vox does the thing rather than writing the words.

Built-in commands

Say	Vox does
”new line”	Inserts a line break
”new paragraph”	Inserts a blank line
”comma”, “period”, “question mark”	Inserts that punctuation
”copy”, “paste”, “paste without formatting”, “cut”, “undo”, “redo”, “select all”, “delete”, “forward delete”	Performs the matching editing action
”save”, “save as”, “open”, “new window”, “new tab”, “close”, “reopen tab”, “quit”, “print”, “minimize”, “hide”, “hide others”, “fullscreen”	Performs the matching file or window action
”next tab”, “previous tab”, “switch app”, “next window”, “previous window”, “go back”, “go forward”, “reload”	Performs the matching navigation action
”find”, “find next”, “find previous”, “zoom in”, “zoom out”, “actual size”	Performs the matching search or zoom action
”bold”, “italic”, “underline”	Applies the matching text format
”spotlight”, “mission control”, “lock screen”, “emoji”, “screenshot”, “screenshot area”, “developer tools”	Performs the matching system action
”escape”, “enter”, “tab”, “space”, “page up”, “page down”, “home”, “end”, “top”, “bottom”	Sends the matching key or scroll action
”play”, “next track”, “previous track”, “volume up”, “volume down”, “mute”	Performs the matching media action
”start dictating”, “stop dictating”, “cancel”	Controls the current dictation

Creating your own

1. Open Settings

   Open Vox, go to Settings, and find the voice commands section.

2. Add a command

   In Voice Commands, click Add.

3. Write the trigger phrase

   This is what you will say. Pick something you would not say by accident in normal dictation. “Insert my address” is safer than “address”.

4. Choose what it does

   Choose a Vox capture action, a keyboard shortcut, or a media action. The available capture actions include dictation, notes, adding to the last note, and cancellation.

Writing trigger phrases that work

• Three or more syllables. Short triggers fire by accident.
• Unnatural word order helps. A phrase you would never say in passing is a phrase that will never fire in passing.
• Avoid homophones. “Right” and “write” will collide.
• Test it inside a real sentence, not on its own. That is where false triggers show up.

If a command fires when you did not mean it to, make the trigger longer rather than turning the command off. One extra word usually solves it.

Commands and app profiles

Custom commands belong to the selected button profile. Assign that profile to an app to make its commands active only while that app is in front. See App-specific profiles.