Dictate coding briefs, refactors, test plans, and documentation into the Cursor field that has focus. StarWhisper adds a global Windows hotkey and local Whisper transcription, so you can speak the explanation and review the text before you ask for a change.
Use the same four-step flow for the editor, chat field, or terminal.
Download StarWhisper, install it on Windows, and allow microphone access. Choose a local Whisper model. The free tier includes 2,000 words per week.
Right-click the StarWhisper circle, open Settings, choose Basic, and use the Hotkey section. Pick a combination you can reach while the Cursor window is active. You can use the same hotkey across your other Windows apps.
Click in the editor, Cursor chat input, terminal prompt, or documentation field where you want the words. StarWhisper types into the active text field. If the wrong panel has focus, the text will go there instead.
Hold the hotkey and describe the change in complete sentences. Release it to transcribe and insert the text. Review file names, symbols, and constraints. Paste exact code separately, then send or accept the request yourself.
Give the coding assistant a clear brief without typing every sentence.
Dictate the observed output, expected output, recent change, and the smallest useful reproduction. This keeps the problem statement together before you add the test file.
Speak the target design, the public behavior that must stay the same, and files that are out of scope. Cursor can work from the brief while you keep code exact.
List normal cases, boundary cases, error states, and acceptance checks by voice. After insertion, correct names and paste any literal snippets that need exact spelling.
Draft a README section, issue description, commit message, or handoff note in the focused field. Read it once before copying it into the repository or team tool.
Software work contains a lot of explanation: what a feature should do, which behavior is a regression, what the current code already guarantees, and what a safe change must avoid. Dictation lets you get that context out of your head without turning every thought into a keyboard exercise.
Cursor has several places where text can go. The editor, assistant chat, terminal prompt, and a project note all depend on focus. StarWhisper does not need to know which one you chose. It listens while you hold the hotkey, then inserts the transcript into the active field for you to check.
Voice works well for intent, background, constraints, and acceptance criteria. For example, say that a parser should keep its public API, handle an empty input, and include a regression test. Then paste the exact function name or code block. This split is faster to review than dictating every brace and symbol.
After the text appears, scan technical terms, paths, package names, and identifiers. Dictation is an input method, not an automatic code approval step. You remain in control of what Cursor receives and which suggested change you accept.
StarWhisper uses the OpenAI Whisper model family through local whisper.cpp processing. In Local Mode, your spoken brief is transcribed on your computer. That keeps the audio path on the device while you describe code, tickets, or internal project details.
Pro users can choose an optional cloud Whisper fallback when they want it. If your priority is offline processing, the offline speech-to-text guide explains the local workflow and its setup.
StarWhisper supports models from tiny through large-v3 and 100+ languages. Smaller models may suit short notes, while larger models give you another speed and quality choice. CUDA, Vulkan, and Metal acceleration paths are available according to your hardware and operating system, with CPU-only use also supported.
Move from code briefs to other focused text fields.
Dictate task briefs, bugs, and tests in a coding terminal.
Draft longer AI prompts by voice and review them before sending.
See the product overview, supported platforms, and features.
Review the paid plan for unlimited dictation and larger models.
Learn about local Whisper processing on Windows.