Voice typing in Windows Terminal

Say a command, read it, then press Enter.

A terminal runs what you type, so the rule here is different from a chat box: read before you press Enter. VinPUT types what you say into the focused tab, whichever shell it runs. What happens after that is your decision.

Use F1, not F2

F1 types the words and stops. F2 types them and presses Enter, which in a terminal means running whatever the model heard. A misheard word in a chat message is embarrassing. In a shell it can delete something. So set up the habit once: F1, read the line, then Enter.

There is a shortcut that is still deliberate. While a dictation runs, pressing Enter ends it and presses Enter once the last words are typed. You choose that moment.

What it is good for

• Commit messages and anything else that is a sentence.
• Prompts to a coding tool that runs in the terminal, like Codex. There F2 is fine, as in a chat box.
• Branch and file names. Say kebab case and then the words for fix-login-redirect, or snake case for fix_login_redirect.

Flags, paths and symbols are better typed. The speech models hear words, and I have not documented a way to say a backslash or a double dash.

How to

1. Install VinPUT and choose a speech model under Settings, Models.
2. Click into the terminal tab.
3. Tap F1, say the line, tap F1, read it, press Enter. Esc drops a dictation.

The administrator catch

Windows blocks typing into elevated windows. If you open Windows Terminal as administrator, VinPUT cannot type into it. Open a normal one for dictation.

Questions

Can I use F2 in a terminal at all?

Yes, for a prompt to a coding tool, where Enter sends it. For a shell command, I would use F1.

Does it work with PowerShell and Command Prompt?

It types into the focused window, so it does not depend on the shell. The one exception is a window running as administrator.

Can I switch F2 off?

Yes. Empty the field under Settings, General, Hotkeys. Only the dictate key must always be set.

Related pages

• Vibe coding with your voice Speak prompts into Cursor, Codex or a terminal.
• Voice typing in VS Code Comments, commit messages and README text.
• Voice typing in Cursor Speak prompts and follow-ups to the agent.
• Voice typing on Windows 11 and Win+H What the built-in option does, and when it is enough.
• Whisper dictation The Whisper sizes VinPUT lists and how they run.