01 · The prompt
Copilot Chat prompts
Say what to change, what to preserve, and what success looks like. Review the inserted prompt, then press Enter.
VS Code Speech also covers this field. Dictate uses the same hotkey across your Mac.
Dictate in · VS Code
Voice dictation for VS Code
VS Code Speech is a free, local extension for the editor, chat, and rich-editor fields in 26 languages. It stops at VS Code’s window edge.
Dictate is our system-wide alternative: one hold-to-talk hotkey for any focused field.
New to dictating on a Mac at all? Start with how to dictate on a Mac.
In the left corner · free extension
In-editor voice
I work inside VS Code.
Where it types
The editor, chat, Source Control commit box, and PR comment fields. All of it stays inside VS Code.
What invokes it
⌥⌘V starts editor dictation, ⌘I starts voice chat, and “Hey Code” is optional.
Editor lock-in
It ends at VS Code’s window edge and does not follow you to a browser, separate terminal, or Cursor.
What it costs
Free and local. Copilot Chat is priced separately by GitHub.
In the right corner · $8/month
System-wide voice
I work wherever the cursor is.
Where it types
Any focused field: Copilot Chat, the commit box, the integrated terminal, a browser, or Slack.
What invokes it
One hold-to-talk hotkey for every field. Release to insert punctuated text.
Editor lock-in
None. Dictate works across editors and other Mac apps.
What it costs
$8 a month, one plan. Audio travels over TLS, is transcribed on our servers, then discarded.
The verdict
Install VS Code Speech if you only need voice inside the editor. Choose Dictate for the integrated terminal and apps outside VS Code.
Where voice pays in VS Code
Keep syntax on the keyboard. Use voice for the prose around it.
02 · The commit box
Commit messages
While the diff is fresh, say what changed and why into the Source Control message box.
Dictate uses Accessibility insertion with a paste fallback for chat, commits, and the terminal.
03 · The comment
Code comments and docs
Dictate TODOs and documentation that explain why the code exists.
04 · The PR
PR descriptions
Speak what changed and where a reviewer should start, in VS Code or a browser.
The same hotkey works in Cursor and to the terminal.
VS Code, answered
FAQ
What people search before dictating anything into an editor.
Is there dictation in VS Code?
Yes. VS Code Speech is a free extension for the editor, chat, and rich-editor fields such as the commit box. It processes audio locally in 26 languages, but only works inside VS Code.
How do I dictate commit messages in VS Code?
VS Code Speech works in the Source Control commit box. With Dictate, click the box, hold the hotkey, say what changed and why, then release.
Does dictation work in VS Code’s integrated terminal?
Microsoft’s docs do not list the integrated terminal. Dictate inserts there through Accessibility with a paste fallback.
Can I write actual code by voice?
You can, but syntax is usually faster on the keyboard. Use voice for prompts, commits, comments, and PR text.
Does Dictate need a VS Code extension?
No. Dictate is a Mac app. It uses the Accessibility API and falls back to paste, with no VS Code setup.
What does Dictate cost, and is it local?
$8 a month, with one plan. It is not local: audio travels over TLS, is transcribed, then discarded. Unused subscriptions are refunded in full; after any transcription, the month is non-refundable.
Keep the extension. Add the rest.
$8 a month, one plan, cancel any time. A subscription you never used is refunded in full.