Advanced Speech to Text Extension for Raycast

A powerful and easy-to-use extension for Raycast that converts voice to text using OpenAI's most advanced models, including GPT-4o-transcribe.

✨ Key Features

• Instant Recording: Starts recording immediately when opening the extension
• Automatic Transcription: Automatically transcribes when you stop recording
• Smart Formatting: Converts your text to different formats (Email, Slack, Report)
• Customizable Prompts: Configure custom prompts for each type of format
• Multiple Models: Support for Whisper-1 and GPT-4o Transcribe
• 99+ Languages: Auto-detection or manual language selection
• History: Save and manage your recording history

🚀 Available Commands

Dictate

• Function: Instant recording with automatic transcription
• Usage: Opens directly in recording mode, press Enter to stop and transcribe

Recording History

• Function: View and manage recording history
• Usage: Search, copy or delete previous transcriptions

⚙️ Configuration

Basic Configuration

• OpenAI API Key: Your OpenAI API key (required)
• Model: Select between Whisper-1 or GPT-4o Transcribe (Recommended)
• Language: Auto-detection or manual selection
• Temperature: Controls the creativity of transcription
• Response Format: Text, JSON, SRT or VTT

🎯 Customizable Prompts (NEW)

You can now fully customize the prompts for each type of format:

Custom Email Prompt

• Purpose: Define how to format transcriptions as professional emails
• Default prompt:

  Transform the following text into a professional and well-structured email.
  Add an appropriate greeting, organize the information in clear paragraphs, and end with a professional closing.
  Maintain a formal but friendly tone. Only return the email text, without subject.
  

Custom Slack Prompt

• Purpose: Define how to format transcriptions for Slack messages
• Default prompt:

  Transform the following text into an informal Slack message.
  Make it conversational, direct and easy to read. Use emojis if appropriate and maintain a casual but professional tone.
  Organize the information clearly and concisely.
  

Custom Report Prompt

• Purpose: Define how to format transcriptions as structured reports

• Default prompt:

  Transform the following text into a structured report for a task management system.
  Organize the information with:
  - **Objective/Task:** [clear description of what needs to be done]
  - **Details:** [specific information and steps if any]
  - **Requirements:** [if applicable, what is needed to complete the task]
  
  Maintain a clear, professional and action-oriented format.
  

📝 Custom Prompt Examples

For More Creative Emails:

Convert the following text into a creative and persuasive email.
Use a friendly but professional tone, include an eye-catching introduction
and end with a clear call to action. Organize the information in a way
that is easy to read and convincing.

For Slack with Specific Style:

Transform this text into a Slack message for a development team.
Use appropriate technical terminology, maintain a direct and collaborative tone.
Include relevant development emojis (🚀 ✅ 🔧 etc.) and structure
the information to facilitate quick responses.

For Project Reports:

Convert this text into a project status report with the following sections:
- **Executive Summary:** [brief overview of status]
- **Current Progress:** [what has been completed]
- **Next Steps:** [planned actions]
- **Blockers:** [if any]
- **Delivery Date:** [estimation if relevant]

🎮 Workflow

1. Open "Dictate" - Recording starts automatically
2. Speak clearly - Say your message
3. Press Enter to stop and transcribe, or select a specific format (Email, Slack, Report)
4. Result handling:
   • If using default format: Text is automatically pasted into the currently selected text field
   • If using specific format (Email/Slack/Report): Review the formatted result and press Enter to paste

🚀 Setup & Installation

Prerequisites

Before installing the extension, you need to set up the following requirements:

1. Install SoX (Audio Processing Library)

This extension requires SoX for audio recording functionality. Choose one of these installation methods:

Option A: Using Homebrew (Recommended)

brew install sox

Option B: Using MacPorts

sudo port install sox

Option C: Download from Official Website

• Visit SoX Official Website
• Download and install the macOS version

Verify Installation:

sox --version

2. Get Your OpenAI API Key

🔒 Privacy Note: Your API key never leaves your computer. All communication is direct between your device and OpenAI's servers.

1. Create OpenAI Account

   • Go to OpenAI Platform
   • Sign up or log in to your account

2. Generate API Key

   • Navigate to API Keys section
   • Click "Create new secret key"
   • Copy the generated key (you won't see it again!)

3. Add Credits (if needed)

   • Go to Billing
   • Add payment method and credits as needed

Installation Steps

1. Install Extension

   • Open Raycast
   • Search for "Store"
   • Install "Advanced Speech to Text"

2. Configure API Key

   • Open Raycast Preferences
   • Navigate to Extensions → Advanced Speech to Text
   • Paste your OpenAI API Key in the "OpenAI API Key" field

3. Customize Settings (Optional)

   • Select your preferred Whisper model
   • Choose default language or keep auto-detection
   • Adjust temperature and response format as needed

4. Test the Extension

   • Open Raycast and search "Dictate"
   • Grant microphone permissions when prompted
   • Start your first recording!

🎨 Custom Prompt Configuration

You can fully customize how your transcriptions are formatted for different use cases:

Accessing Custom Prompts

1. Open Raycast Preferences
2. Go to Extensions → Speech to Text
3. Scroll down to find these customizable prompt fields:
   • Custom Email Prompt
   • Custom Slack Prompt
   • Custom Report Prompt

How to Customize Prompts

Example: Professional Email Style

Transform the following text into a formal business email.
Use professional language, include proper salutations,
organize content in clear paragraphs, and end with
appropriate closing remarks. Maintain executive-level tone.

Example: Creative Slack Messages

Convert this text into an engaging Slack message for a marketing team.
Use relevant emojis, maintain enthusiastic but professional tone,
include call-to-action elements, and format for easy readability.
Add appropriate marketing terminology where relevant.

Example: Technical Documentation

Transform this into technical documentation format with:
- **Overview:** Brief summary
- **Implementation:** Detailed steps
- **Requirements:** Technical dependencies
- **Notes:** Important considerations
Use developer-friendly language and markdown formatting.

Prompt Customization Tips

• Be Specific: Include exact formatting requirements
• Set Tone: Specify formal, casual, technical, creative, etc.
• Include Examples: Reference specific terminology or style
• Define Structure: Outline how information should be organized
• Test & Iterate: Try different prompts to find what works best

🔧 Requirements

• macOS: Compatible macOS version
• SoX: Audio processing library (see installation above)
• Raycast: Latest version recommended
• OpenAI API Key: Active account with available credits
• Microphone: Working microphone with system permissions
• Internet Connection: For OpenAI API communication

💡 Usage Tips

• For better results: Speak clearly in a low-noise environment
• Languages: Auto-detection works very well, but you can specify the language for greater accuracy
• Custom prompts: Experiment with different prompts to adapt the format to your specific needs
• History: Use the "Recording History" command to review and reuse previous transcriptions

🆘 Troubleshooting

• API Error: Verify that your OpenAI key is valid and has credits
• Not recording: Check microphone permissions in System Settings
• Incorrect transcription: Try with specific language instead of auto-detection
• Unwanted format: Adjust custom prompts in preferences

📞 Support

If you have problems or suggestions, you can:

• Review the configuration documentation in Raycast
• Verify that your OpenAI API key is configured correctly
• Try different model and temperature settings

---

Enjoy using this extension to convert your voice to text efficiently! 🎤✨