# Change your hotkey. Dimmy Help.

> Change your hotkey. Step-by-step help for Dimmy, the native voice dictation app for macOS, Windows, and Linux.

Source: https://dimmy.app/help/hotkey-change/

[← Back to Help center](https://dimmy.app/help/)

Hotkey

# Change your hotkey

Settings → Shortcut. Press the new combo. Dimmy validates it against system shortcuts and saves.

1. Right-click the pill (or open the tray menu) → Settings.
2. Go to the Shortcut tab.
3. Click the current combo. The box turns red and says Press a key combination.
4. Press the new combo. Dimmy listens for modifier-only or modifier + key combos.
5. Click Save. The change takes effect immediately.

Settings → Shortcut tab showing the capture input ready to record

## Combos that work

* Two modifier keys (Cmd + Option, Ctrl + Alt, Win + Shift, ...). Recommended.
* Three modifier keys (Cmd + Option + Shift). For when two clash with an app.
* Modifier + letter or number (Cmd + Shift + V). Works but may clash with apps.

## Combos that don't work

* Just a letter or number on its own. Would fire on every keystroke.
* Combos already taken by the OS (Cmd + Tab, Win + L, ...). Dimmy refuses with a tooltip.

tip

If you map Dimmy to the same key on every platform you switch between, set Cmd + Option on Mac, Ctrl + Alt on Windows/Linux. Same physical positions.

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## In this category

[ HotkeyDefault hotkey per platformCmd + Option on macOS, Win + Alt on Windows and Linux. Two-key combos chosen to never clash with system shortcuts.](https://dimmy.app/help/hotkey-default/) [ HotkeyToggle vs hold-to-recordHold-to-record: hold the hotkey while talking. Toggle: press once to start, again to stop. Both work, pick what feels right.](https://dimmy.app/help/hotkey-modes/) [ HotkeyDictionary and Command Mode shortcutsTwo optional shortcuts beside the dictation hotkey: add selected text to your dictionary (Ctrl + Shift + D) and run a one-shot AI command.](https://dimmy.app/help/hotkey-dictionary-command/) [ HotkeySwitch style or tone with the scroll wheelScroll on the pill to cycle AI styles. Ctrl + scroll to cycle tones. No need to open Settings.](https://dimmy.app/help/scroll-shortcuts/)

Last updated: 2026-05-22

On this page

1. [01 Combos that work](#combos-that-work)
2. [02 Combos that don't work](#combos-that-dont-work)