Step-by-Step Guide
Get Started with VibeWhisper
Install VibeWhisper, enter your OpenAI API key, and start transcribing speech to text in any app on your Mac. The entire setup takes about five minutes.
Before You Begin
Make sure you have the following ready before starting the setup process.
- macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later
- An OpenAI API key (platform.openai.com)
- Microphone access enabled
- Approximately 5 minutes for initial setup
Setup Steps
Follow these steps in order to get VibeWhisper fully configured and ready to use.
Download and Install
Download the VibeWhisper .dmg file, drag the app to your Applications folder, and launch it. VibeWhisper lives in your menu bar, ready whenever you need it.
- Download the .dmg file from the VibeWhisper website
- Open the .dmg and drag VibeWhisper to your Applications folder
- Launch VibeWhisper — it appears as an icon in your menu bar
Tip: If macOS shows a security warning, go to System Settings > Privacy & Security and click Open Anyway.
Enter Your OpenAI API Key
Open VibeWhisper preferences from the menu bar icon and enter your OpenAI API key. Your key is securely stored in the macOS Keychain — it never leaves your machine.
- Click the VibeWhisper icon in the menu bar and open Preferences
- Navigate to the API Key section
- Paste your OpenAI API key from platform.openai.com
- Your key is encrypted and stored in the macOS Keychain
Tip: You can generate a dedicated API key at platform.openai.com/api-keys. We recommend creating a key specifically for VibeWhisper so you can track usage separately.
Configure Your Shortcut
Set a global push-to-talk keyboard shortcut in preferences. This shortcut works system-wide across all applications.
- Open Preferences from the menu bar icon
- Navigate to the Shortcut section
- Click the shortcut field and press your desired key combination
- The shortcut is active immediately across all apps
Tip: Choose a key combination that is easy to reach but unlikely to conflict with other apps. A modifier key plus a single key works well, such as Right Option or a function key.
Grant Accessibility Permission
macOS will prompt you to grant VibeWhisper access to the Accessibility API. This permission is required so VibeWhisper can inject transcribed text into the currently focused text field.
- When prompted, click Open System Settings
- Find VibeWhisper in the Accessibility list
- Toggle the switch to enable access
- You may need to restart VibeWhisper for the change to take effect
Start Transcribing
Hold your configured shortcut key, speak naturally, and release. Your spoken words are transcribed by OpenAI Whisper and inserted directly into the currently focused text field.
- Click into any text field in any application
- Hold down your push-to-talk shortcut key
- Speak clearly into your microphone
- Release the key — your transcription appears in the text field
Key Principles
Keep these guiding principles in mind as you use VibeWhisper.
Push-to-Talk
Explicit control over when you are recording. No always-listening, no accidental recordings. You decide exactly when the microphone is active.
Privacy-First
Your API key is stored in the macOS Keychain. Audio is sent directly to OpenAI for transcription. No VibeWhisper servers are involved.
System-Level
Works in any application. Code editors, chat apps, email clients, browsers — anywhere you can type, you can transcribe.
Minimal Overhead
A menu bar app with no dock icon and no window management. Just hold your shortcut, speak, and release. It stays out of your way.
Quick Reference Checklist
A summary of all the steps in one convenient list. Use this as a reference as you work through the setup.
- 1
Download and Install
Download the VibeWhisper .dmg file, drag the app to your Applications folder, and launch it. VibeWhisper lives in your menu bar, ready whenever you need it.
- 2
Enter Your OpenAI API Key
Open VibeWhisper preferences from the menu bar icon and enter your OpenAI API key. Your key is securely stored in the macOS Keychain — it never leaves your machine.
- 3
Configure Your Shortcut
Set a global push-to-talk keyboard shortcut in preferences. This shortcut works system-wide across all applications.
- 4
Grant Accessibility Permission
macOS will prompt you to grant VibeWhisper access to the Accessibility API. This permission is required so VibeWhisper can inject transcribed text into the currently focused text field.
- 5
Start Transcribing
Hold your configured shortcut key, speak naturally, and release. Your spoken words are transcribed by OpenAI Whisper and inserted directly into the currently focused text field.
Best Practices
Follow these recommendations to get the most out of VibeWhisper.
Do
- Choose a comfortable shortcut key you can reach easily
- Speak in clear, natural sentences for best accuracy
- Use in quiet environments for optimal transcription
- Keep your OpenAI API key secure and never share it
- Check Whisper API pricing to understand usage costs
Avoid
- Hold the key for too long without speaking
- Use in very noisy environments without a directional mic
- Share your OpenAI API key with others
- Expect offline functionality (requires internet)
- Forget to grant Accessibility permission after install
Guide FAQ
Common questions about the setup process and getting started.
- How much does the OpenAI API cost?
- The Whisper API costs approximately $0.006 per minute of audio. A typical day of moderate use costs just a few cents. You can monitor your usage at platform.openai.com.
- Does it work offline?
- No. VibeWhisper requires an internet connection to send audio to the OpenAI Whisper API for transcription. Without connectivity, transcription is unavailable.
- Can I change the shortcut key?
- Yes. You can change your push-to-talk shortcut at any time from the VibeWhisper preferences, accessible via the menu bar icon.
- What if text doesn't appear after I speak?
- Check that VibeWhisper has Accessibility permission enabled in System Settings > Privacy & Security > Accessibility. You may also need to restart VibeWhisper after granting the permission.
Related Resources
Explore these resources to deepen your knowledge and get the most out of VibeWhisper.
Knowledge Base
Detailed documentation covering setup, configuration, troubleshooting, and advanced usage of VibeWhisper.
Explore UpdatesBlog
Product updates, tips, and announcements about VibeWhisper features and improvements.
Explore SupportFAQ
Answers to the most common questions about VibeWhisper, pricing, compatibility, and troubleshooting.
ExploreReady to get started?
You have everything you need to set up VibeWhisper. Purchase the app and follow the steps above to start transcribing in minutes.