Dictate into VS Code on Mac

We make Sorimac, so read us as an interested party. VS Code facts below come from its official pages, checked .

VS Code now has built-in dictation that runs on-device on desktop: press Opt+Cmd+V in the editor or Cmd+I in chat (VS Code docs, checked October 21, 2026). Sorimac helps when you want one way to dictate across VS Code, the terminal, Slack and the browser, plus a wake word and Mac voice commands. It is $9.99 once.

How do you set it up?

  1. Install and allow access. Download Sorimac and allow Microphone and Accessibility. Accessibility lets it paste into VS Code.
  2. Avoid two dictation tools at once. If you also use VS Code's built-in dictation, set Sorimac to Push-to-Talk so only one of them is listening, or add VS Code to Excluded Apps in Sorimac.
  3. Click and speak. Put the cursor in the editor, the chat or the terminal panel and speak. Text appears at the cursor.

What do people say into VS Code?

What to watch for in VS Code

Excluded Apps

Sorimac can pause dictation while a chosen app is in front. Add VS Code there if you prefer its built-in dictation inside the editor; the menu bar then shows that dictation is paused. Most voice commands still work in an excluded app, because they control the Mac rather than type.

Auto Return in the editor

Auto Return is on by default, one second after the text lands. In chat that sends your message; in a file it adds a new line. Turn it Off in settings if you dictate comments and docs.

Your clipboard

Sorimac pastes via the clipboard and restores the previous text about a second later. Only text is restored, and clipboard managers will usually log each dictation.

VS Code's built-in dictation vs Sorimac

VS Code's docs say that on desktop, dictation uses an on-device speech model by default and works offline after the download, with no Copilot or sign-in required. In VS Code for the Web it streams audio to a Microsoft voice service. The VS Code Speech extension is only needed on platforms without built-in support, such as Intel Macs.

So inside VS Code on an Apple Silicon Mac, you may not need anything else. Sorimac adds the same on-device approach to every other app, a wake word, push-to-talk on a modifier key, and Mac commands like switching windows by name.

Sources, checked October 21, 2026: VS Code docs: Voice interactions.

FAQ

Does VS Code have built-in dictation?

Yes. Run Voice: Start Dictation in Editor or press Opt+Cmd+V; in chat use the microphone or Cmd+I (VS Code docs, checked October 21, 2026).

Is VS Code dictation on-device?

On desktop, yes by default, per the VS Code docs. VS Code for the Web sends audio to a Microsoft service.

Can I use both VS Code dictation and Sorimac?

Yes, but not listening at the same time. Use Push-to-Talk in Sorimac or add VS Code to Sorimac's Excluded Apps.

One way to dictate, in VS Code and everywhere else

Download freeBuy for $9.99

3-day free trial. Pay $9.99 once, use it forever. Updates included. Apple Silicon, macOS 15+.

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