koe

A few steps.
Then, your voice.

A koe account is all you need for the transcription connection. This guide describes the private preview and the installation options being prepared for public release.

Currently in private preview

Public downloads and general sign-up are not open yet. There is no App Store listing or public installer to download today. Do not use a development build from an unofficial source.

The public release repository will contain approved application downloads and release notes. The Homebrew tap will provide a matching cask once distribution begins.

What you need

  • An Apple Silicon Mac running macOS 13 or later.
  • A koe account and internet connection.
  • A microphone and permission to use it.
  • Accessibility permission for automatic paste, or manual copy if you prefer.

You do not need Xcode, Terminal expertise, or an OpenAI/Azure API key to use the distributed app.

Two ways to install

Direct download

Once released, download the signed and notarized app from this site’s release link, unzip it and move koe to Applications. Open it normally; do not disable Gatekeeper.

Homebrew

For developers and anyone who prefers the command line, the planned command is below. It is not available until the first cask is published.

brew install --cask yipg/tap/koe

Both routes install the same app with the same account and trial. Homebrew does not unlock a separate manual API mode. Future upgrades will be available through brew upgrade --cask yipg/tap/koe; quit dictation before upgrading.

Earlier source-build previews are no longer the supported setup path. Their saved API credentials are not migrated into your koe account, read, or deleted by the account-only app.

Sign in and try koe

  1. Open koe from Applications, then choose Settings → Account → Sign In to koe.
  2. Request the sign-in link with your invited email address. Open it in the same browser within ten minutes.
  3. Match the browser’s code to the app and choose Connect my Mac.
  4. Review and approve how your audio is processed.
  5. Choose Return to koe. The app refreshes automatically; press Start Using koe.

Your first ten minutes are free, with no card required. This allowance is granted once per verified account, has no expiry, and never renews or becomes a subscription automatically. Preview admission is still invite-only.

Give koe permission

In Settings → Privacy, enable Microphone to record. Accessibility allows koe to check the destination field and paste automatically.

If you do not grant Accessibility, use Copy Last Transcription in the menu, then paste the text yourself. Permissions can be revoked in macOS System Settings → Privacy & Security.

Your first dictation

  1. Put your cursor in a text field.
  2. Press ⌃ ⌥ Space, or your configured shortcut.
  3. Speak, then press the shortcut again.
  4. Keep the original field focused while koe transcribes.

If the destination changes, koe does not paste into an unrelated field. Copy the last result from the menu instead. The latest successful text stays in memory until koe quits; there is no persistent history or retry queue.

Choose Japanese, English, or automatic language detection in Settings → Dictation. Preview recordings are limited to two minutes each.

Choose a plan only when you want to

When the free allowance is used up, recordings pause. There is no card on file required for the trial, and no automatic charge.

If you choose a monthly subscription, the price and included time are displayed before Stripe checkout. After payment confirmation, return to koe; account status updates automatically. A payment return page alone does not grant access.

Manage billing provides payment-method updates, invoices and cancellation. Scheduled cancellation keeps paid access until the displayed end date. Usage above the plan allowance is not charged automatically.

Public pricing and sales have not launched. Private-preview Stripe payments are test-only, not a public paid offer.

If something feels off

My sign-in email is missing

Check spam and all mail. Mark the message as not spam and request a fresh link if the old one expired. Open it in the browser that requested it.

Nothing is pasted

Use Copy Last Transcription, then ⌘ V. Automatic paste needs Accessibility and a verifiable original field. macOS does not confirm that another app accepted the paste.

AirPods sound different

A headset’s microphone can change its Bluetooth audio mode. Keep AirPods as output and choose another input microphone in macOS Sound settings. Apple explains this behavior.

My account needs attention

Open Settings → Account. The next action will show whether you need to sign in, approve processing, choose a plan, fix a payment, or wait for a usage limit. Do not buy a second plan to fix an existing payment.

Report non-sensitive issues without recordings, login links, private transcripts or credentials.