NoteOwl keyboard shortcuts
Last updated Checked against NoteOwl 1.0.0
NoteOwl has four keyboard shortcuts that work in any app: fn to dictate, ⌥ Space to record a meeting, ⌥ X to rewrite selected text and ⌥ Z to ask your memory. Inside the NoteOwl window, ⌘K jumps to search.
Which shortcuts work in any app?
These four work in every app while NoteOwl is running, even with its window closed. Dictation with fn is part of NoteOwl Free. The three ⌥ shortcuts are part of NoteOwl Pro.
| Shortcut | What it does | Plan |
|---|---|---|
| fn | Dictate: tap to start, then tap again or press ● Stop to finish. Your words type at the cursor | Free |
| ⌥ Space | Start recording a meeting. Press it again to stop | NoteOwl Pro |
| ⌥ X | Rewrite the selected text: choose Polish, Shorten or Clarify, or Speak instruction and say how to change it | NoteOwl Pro |
| ⌥ Z | Ask your memory out loud. The answer appears in the NoteOwl panel and is never typed into the app. Press it again while an answer is showing to ask a follow-up | NoteOwl Pro |
While NoteOwl is running, ⌥ Space, ⌥ X and ⌥ Z no longer type the characters macOS usually gives them, such as ≈ for ⌥X.
For ⌥ X, select the text first. If NoteOwl can't edit the app directly, it puts the rewritten text on your clipboard and the panel tells you to press ⌘V.
Which shortcuts work in the NoteOwl window?
These work while the NoteOwl window is in front. They're part of NoteOwl Free, except searching your memory with Search everything.
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| ⌘ K | Jump to search. Search everything, at the top of the window, searches your memory (NoteOwl Pro) |
| ⌘ , | Open Settings |
| ⌥ ⌘ S | Show or hide the sidebar |
| ↑ ↓ and Return | In Search everything results, move through the results and open one. Esc closes them |
| Return | In Chat, send your question. ⌥ Return starts a new line instead |
| ↑ ↓, Return and Delete | In Dictations, move through the list, rename the selected dictation, or delete it after NoteOwl asks you to confirm |
The NoteOwl panel at the top of the screen also listens for Esc. Esc closes the panel, and if something is still running, such as a meeting, it tucks the panel away instead of stopping it.
Where does NoteOwl list its shortcuts?
In Settings → General, under Keyboard Shortcuts. It lists Dictate, Meeting, Rewrite selection and Recall with their keys. The list is for reference: you can't change the shortcuts in NoteOwl 1.0.0.
You can also start and stop dictation and meetings without a shortcut. Click the NoteOwl icon in the menu bar and choose Start Dictation or Start Meeting.
What if a shortcut does nothing?
First check that NoteOwl is running, with its waveform icon in the menu bar. Then check these:
- fn does nothing, but the ⌥ shortcuts work. NoteOwl is missing the macOS Input Monitoring permission: see the fn key doesn't start dictation.
- An ⌥ shortcut opens NoteOwl instead. You're on NoteOwl Free, and NoteOwl shows what NoteOwl Pro adds, with the option to start the trial.
- The panel says NoteOwl is busy. NoteOwl listens for one thing at a time. If it's already dictating, recording a meeting or answering, the panel says why instead of starting something new.
- ⌥ X says "Select text, then try again." Nothing was selected. Select the text you want to change and press ⌥ X again.
Common questions
Can I change NoteOwl's keyboard shortcuts?
No. In NoteOwl 1.0.0 the shortcuts are fixed. Settings → General lists them under Keyboard Shortcuts for reference, but you can't reassign fn, ⌥Space, ⌥X or ⌥Z.
Do NoteOwl's shortcuts work when its window is closed?
Yes. fn, ⌥Space, ⌥X and ⌥Z work in any app while NoteOwl is running, even with its window closed. Its waveform icon in the menu bar shows it's running. Turn on Open at login in Settings → General to have the shortcuts ready when you log in.
I paid, but NoteOwl Pro isn't active
Paid for NoteOwl Pro but it's still off? Sign in with the email you bought with, choose Activate this Mac, and match the message NoteOwl shows below.
NoteOwl system requirements
NoteOwl needs macOS 26 or later, a Mac with Apple Silicon (M1 or newer) and 16 GB of memory, plus room for a one-time download of its on-device AI models.