Hold the key
Right Option is the default. Press and hold when you want to talk. No timer. No toggle confusion. No listening after you are done.
Arugula
Private dictation for Mac
Private dictation · Runs on your Mac
Speech to text for Mac that feels native.
Hold a key, speak naturally, and release. Your words appear where you are already typing. Arugula is a private dictation app for Mac that runs entirely on your Mac and stays ready whenever you need it.
Direct download. Private dictation that feels at home on a Mac.
Arugula
Ready
Hold to dictate.
Release to type.
Fast enough to stay out of your way. Calm enough to leave nearby.
Dictation
Off
⌥Right
Hold to Dictate
Hold to speak. Release to type at your cursor.
⌥Right
⌘Right
Send on Release
Toggle insert plus Return when you want it.
Works in
Mail
Messages
Docs
Claude Code
Codex
Cursor
Last dictation
“Send the draft to Maya, then add the Radicchio note before lunch.”
Copy
Correct
Insert Again
2 saved phrases active
used 14 times automatically
Correct Last Phrase
Saved
radishio → Radicchio
used 7 times
maya → Maya
used 4 times
How It Works
One gesture from thought to text.
Hold a key, speak, release. Arugula stays ready in the background, then gets out of the way again.
Speak naturally
Reply to a message, dictate a paragraph, capture a note, or talk through the next prompt for Claude Code, Codex, or Gemini. Arugula is tuned for the kinds of text people actually type every day.
Release and keep moving
Your words appear at the cursor. If a name or phrase is off, correct it once and save it for next time.
Why Arugula
Easy to start. Precise enough to trust.
The best dictation for Mac should feel comfortable in everyday writing, dependable when the words matter, and considerate of the machine it runs on.
Private by default
Your speech stays on your Mac. No sign-up, no server round-trip, no cloud dependency, no waiting on an internet connection to finish a sentence.
Predictable by design
Hold, speak, release keeps the interaction clear. No drifting mic, no guessing whether it is still listening, and no extra friction when you are done.
Easy to teach
Correct the last phrase, save the wording you want, and let Arugula reuse it automatically next time. No giant vocabulary editor required.
Fits real Mac work
Email, notes, docs, and coding agents all use the same cursor. Arugula fits normal Mac writing instead of asking you to switch to a special workflow.
Where It Fits
Useful in the parts of the day where typing slows you down.
Arugula is not for one special niche. It is for the ordinary Mac moments where speaking is simply faster.
Everyday writing
Fast replies and first drafts. Messages, email, docs, and notes are often better spoken once, then refined with the keyboard.
Coding agents
Prompt without breaking flow. Claude Code, Codex, Gemini, Cursor, and terminal-first workflows all benefit when the next prompt or review note is clearer spoken than typed.
Meetings and Notes
Capture what matters while it is fresh. Drop quick notes into Notes, Obsidian, Notion, or your meeting document instead of trying to type every thought live.
FAQ
Common questions before you download.
If you only want the essentials, they are here.
Does Arugula send my voice to the cloud?
No. Arugula runs speech recognition on your Mac. Your audio stays on-device, and the app works offline.
What Mac do I need?
Arugula is built for macOS 15 or later on Apple Silicon, including M1, M2, M3, and newer machines.
How do saved phrases work?
Use Correct Last Phrase after dictating. Arugula remembers short word or phrase changes and reuses them automatically next time.
Can I change the hold-to-talk key?
Yes. Right Option is the default, but you can remap it inside Arugula.
Why does it need Accessibility?
That permission lets Arugula insert text at your cursor in the app you are using. Without it, system-wide dictation would be much less reliable.
Does Arugula use a lot of RAM?
Arugula runs speech recognition locally, so it does use memory while the model is active. The optional System Health module can reclaim low-risk background widget memory so the app stays closer to even overall.
Does Arugula work with Claude Code, Codex, or Gemini?
Yes. Arugula types wherever your cursor already is, so it fits well with Claude Code, Codex, Gemini, Cursor, and terminal-based coding-agent workflows on Mac.
Is Arugula really free?
Yes. Free to use, with no subscriptions, accounts, or premium paywall between you and basic dictation.
Speak a thought.
Keep moving.
Arugula is a free dictation app for Mac for people who want something private, simple, and ready for everyday writing.