Push-to-talk shortcuts
What works where
Section titled “What works where”Push to talk runs on the voice device’s desktop app only. The shortcut is held: press to listen, release to send.
| Keys | Mouse buttons | |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | global | global |
| Linux, X11 | global | global |
| macOS | global | no |
| Linux, Wayland with the portal | global, through the portal | no |
| Linux, Wayland without it | only while Exponential is focused | no |
The portal is xdg GlobalShortcuts: KDE 5.27+, GNOME 48+ and Hyprland have it. The compositor may bind another key; the shortcut then shows its label. On macOS, Ctrl + Space is also Select previous input source.
The shortcuts
Section titled “The shortcuts”Record one in Settings → Assistant → Voice on the voice device, under On {device} (tray): click the row and press the key or combination. A letter, digit or most other keys need Ctrl, Alt, Shift or Super with them; these may stand alone:
| Binding | Where |
|---|---|
| F1 … F24 | everywhere |
| Insert, Pause, Scroll Lock, Print Screen | everywhere |
| Mouse button 3 … 9 | Windows, X11 |
When a key can’t be grabbed
Section titled “When a key can’t be grabbed”A key that can’t be grabbed always says so. The tray item reads Push to talk · Ctrl + Space unavailable, and Settings → Assistant → Voice says why under the Shortcut row:
| Why | What it says |
|---|---|
| Another app holds it | Another app holds {shortcut}. It works while Exponential is focused. |
| No portal | This desktop has no global shortcuts. {shortcut} works while Exponential is focused. |
| The portal said no | The desktop didn’t allow {shortcut}. It works while Exponential is focused. |
| A mouse button | Mouse buttons can’t be a shortcut here. Pick a key. |
In every case but the mouse button, the key still works while an Exponential window is focused.
Holding it
Section titled “Holding it”Holding the key stops any reply being spoken, unless the microphone is muted. Mute microphone in the tray keeps it closed; the overlay then reads Microphone muted, Unmute in the tray to talk, with an Unmute pill. A key held for 120 s ends as if you let go.