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Use a Mode to control how Utter formats your transcription. A Mode is an AI prompt plus output rules, such as “Email”, “Summary”, or your own custom format. Utter mode picker showing Dictation, Meeting, Coding, Ideas, Notes, and Sms modes

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Built-in Modes

Utter includes built-in modes for common tasks:

Email

Formats your dictation as a professional email with subject line, greeting, body, and signature

Note

Creates clean, organized notes with bullet points and headers

Summary

Condenses your speech into key points and takeaways

Message

Formats as a casual message suitable for chat apps

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Use a Mode

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Quick Selection

1

Start Recording

Press your global shortcut.
2

Speak Normally

Dictate your content.
3

Choose a Mode

Before releasing, click a mode in the recording window, or use its shortcut.
What to expect: Your transcription is processed using the selected mode format.

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Keyboard Shortcuts

Assign keyboard shortcuts to your favorite modes for faster access:
1

Open Modes Settings

Go to Settings > Modes.
2

Select a Shortcut Field

Click the shortcut field next to a mode.
3

Assign Shortcut

Press your desired key combination.

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Example: Email Mode

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Custom Modes

Create your own modes for specialized use cases.

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Create a Custom Mode

1

Open Utter

Click Utter in the menu bar to open the main window
2

Create New Mode

Click the + button next to Modes.
3

Configure

Enter a name, description, and mode instructions.
What to expect: The new mode appears in your mode list and can be selected before dictation. Utter mode editor with output instructions, recording settings, speaker labels, system audio, AI model, and voice model options

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Write Better Mode Instructions

Good mode instructions are:

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Example Custom Mode Instructions

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Mode Shortcuts

Set a custom keyboard shortcut for any mode to start dictating immediately with that specific mode active.
1

Open Utter

Click Utter in the menu bar to open the main window
2

Edit a Mode

Click on a mode to edit it
3

Assign a Shortcut

Click the shortcut field and press your desired key combination
When you press the shortcut, Utter will start recording with that mode already selected, so your transcription is automatically processed through it.

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Tips

Start with a built-in mode, duplicate it, then adjust the instructions to match your workflow.
Mode output is AI-generated, so results can vary. If you need strict formatting, use explicit instructions.