GhostWriter is an AI-powered voice-to-text tool for macOS that converts natural speech—complete with filler words, self-corrections, and pauses—into polished, ready-to-paste text instantly in any application.
What is GhostWriter?
GhostWriter is a macOS dictation app that takes your raw, unfiltered voice and outputs clean, punctuated text directly into whatever app you're using—Gmail, VS Code, Slack, or Notion. It uses local Whisper transcription for privacy and AI cleanup to remove filler words and match the tone of the destination app. The app is built by Viktor and requires no configuration to start.
What makes GhostWriter stand out?
- Universal app support — Works in every Mac app you already use: Cursor, VS Code, Claude, ChatGPT, Gmail, Notion, Arc, Figma, Apple Notes, and Messenger. If you can type in it, GhostWriter works in it.
- Automatic tone adaptation — Detects your active app and adjusts output tone automatically: professional for Gmail, casual for Messenger, technical for VS Code and Cursor. No modes to toggle or settings to configure.
- AI voice cleanup — Removes filler words ("um," "like," "you know"), fixes spelling errors, and adds punctuation and paragraphs in real time as you speak. You talk naturally; it delivers a clean, ready-to-send version.
- Local, private transcription — Powered by on-device Whisper transcription. Your audio never leaves your Mac. The AI cleanup step uses models with a zero data retention policy—your content is never stored or used for training.
- Personal dictionary & snippets — Add custom names, jargon, and abbreviations (e.g., "GhostWriter," "Tailwind") to your personal dictionary. Create voice-activated snippets for things you type often—LinkedIn links, support greetings, elevator pitches—and trigger them by speaking the snippet name.
- 100+ language support — Transcribes speech in over 100 languages with automatic language detection. No need to switch modes—just speak in whichever language you prefer.
- Customizable overlays & shortcuts — Choose between a MacBook Pro-style notch indicator or a floating pill overlay. Customize keyboard shortcuts: hold-to-ghost (⌃⌘G) for quick dictation or toggle hands-free mode (⌃⌘D).
Who should use GhostWriter?
- Developers and engineers — Dictate prompts, code comments, and documentation directly into Cursor, VS Code, or Claude Code. GhostWriter auto-detects active files to create @file references in Cursor and #file tags in VS Code.
- Professionals who write dozens of emails daily — Dictate replies in Gmail, Slack, and Messenger at conversational speed. Tone adaptation ensures your emails sound formal and your chats sound natural without any manual adjustments.
- Project managers and creators — Capture meeting notes, draft project updates, and write in Notion or Linear up to 4× faster than typing. Speak freely with filler words; GhostWriter outputs clean, organized paragraphs.
Use cases
- 30 emails before lunch — Switch between Gmail, Slack, and Messenger, dictating replies at each app with the correct tone automatically applied. Formal in email, casual in chat—no mode switching required.
- Talk to your coding tools — Dictate prompts to Cursor, VS Code, or Claude Code. GhostWriter cleans up your stream of consciousness, removes filler words, and auto-generates @file references from active window titles.
- Capture meeting notes effortlessly — Hold the shortcut during a call, speak naturally with all your ums and self-corrections, then release. GhostWriter pastes clean, paragraph-separated notes ready to share.
