In short
Pick a chip: “Improve” makes dictated text read like writing, “Shorten” cuts repetition and detours, and “Professional” makes the wording fit for work. You can pick the chip while you are still speaking. “Original” brings back the text as it was recognized. Chips need a connection and use credits.
- Chips
- “Improve”, “Shorten”, “Professional”; “Add a joke” is off by default
- When
- During the recording or afterwards, on the recording bar or in the app
- Way back
- “Original”
- Adjust
- Rename chips and rewrite their prompts
- Needs
- Internet and credits, or your own API key
Original
Hi everyone, um, about the draft, me and Tom will send it this afternoon, so like, let us know by tomorrow if its okay.
Word for word, as you said it.
Improve
Hi everyone, Tom and I will send you the draft this afternoon. Let us know by tomorrow if it works for you.
No filler, reads like writing – in your tone.
Shorten
Tom and I will send the draft this afternoon – feedback by tomorrow, please.
Every point stays, in fewer words.
Professional
Hi everyone, Tom and I will send you the draft this afternoon. Please let us know by tomorrow whether it works for you.
Clear and polite, the request stays firm.
Step by step
- Press Ctrl+Space and start speaking.
- Move the pointer over the recording bar and click a chip, for example “Improve”. The bar shows your choice.
- Stop the recording. Zack Typing transcribes it, applies the chip and then inserts the edited text.
- Not right yet? Click “Original” or another chip. Zack Typing replaces the inserted text in your app.
What does each chip change?
| Chip | What it does | What it keeps |
|---|---|---|
| “Improve” | Fixes awkward wording, grammar and sentence connections with as few changes as useful; merges repetition | Every point, your wording and order where they work |
| “Shorten” | Writes a clearly shorter version and cuts detours and side remarks | The main message, every request or decision, reasons, deadlines and needed details |
| “Professional” | Replaces overly casual or abrasive phrasing with polite wording for work | The strength of requests, criticism, refusals and urgency; your form of address |
| “Add a joke” | Adds a subtle witty remark, no emojis | The main message |
On dictated text, every chip also removes stutters, filler sounds and abandoned starts, and it applies clear corrections you make while speaking: “Let’s meet on Friday, no, Thursday” becomes “Let’s meet on Thursday.” Chips keep the language you spoke, your line breaks, names, numbers and dates. They do not invent facts or finish half-finished thoughts, and “Professional” adds no greetings, sign-offs or apologies.
Can I choose the chip while I am still speaking?
Yes. Click a chip on the recording bar or in the Zack Typing window while you record. After transcription, Zack Typing applies the chip first and then inserts the finished text, so the raw version never lands in your email.
If there is no connection, the chip fails or it takes longer than 45 seconds, Zack Typing inserts the original text and marks it with “Original used”.
After inserting, you can still switch: another chip or “Original” replaces the text in your app. A version you already created for this dictation is reused instead of being written again.
How do I adapt the chips to the way I write?
In the settings under “Chips”, each chip has a switch. Up to three chips can be on at the same time; “Original” is always there.
Click the pencil to rename a chip (up to 13 characters) and rewrite its prompt, for example “Rewrite as a short status update with bullet points.” The arrow resets a chip to its default.
The “Custom instructions” field under “General” → “Prompt” holds personal preferences, for example “Formal address” or “Factual tone”. Zack Typing passes them to recognition and to every chip.
Where are the limits?
Chips need a connection. Offline, Zack Typing shows “Offline. Text actions require a connection to the server. Your text is unchanged.” With your own API key, chips use the text model you pick under “Text editing” in the “Models” tab.
The AI can misjudge a sentence. “Shorten” may drop a side remark you wanted to keep, and an unclear correction stays as you said it, so compare names and numbers with what you meant.
Related questions
Do chips cost extra?
Chips only run when you pick one, and each run uses credits on top of the transcription. With your own API key, your provider bills you instead.
Can I get the original text back later?
Yes. Open the dictation in Zack Typing and click “Original”. The recognized text stays saved next to the edited version.
Can a chip translate my text?
The standard chips keep the language you spoke. You can rewrite a chip’s prompt so that it translates, for example into English.
Do chips work offline?
No. You can dictate with an offline model and apply a chip later, once you are online.