Keyboard Shortcuts

Lagos uses a hold-to-record shortcut: hold the modifier keys while you speak, release when done. The shortcut uses modifier keys only (no letter keys), so it never conflicts with your existing shortcuts.

Default Shortcut

⌘ + Control — hold both keys to record, release to transcribe.

Available Combinations

You can choose from five modifier key combinations in Lagos Settings:

Combination	Keys
Command + Control	⌘ + ⌃
Command + Shift	⌘ + ⇧
Command + Option	⌘ + ⌥
Control + Option	⌃ + ⌥
Control + Shift	⌃ + ⇧

Changing the Shortcut

1. Click the Lagos menu bar icon
2. Open Settings
3. Under the Shortcut section, select your preferred modifier combination
4. The change takes effect immediately — no restart needed

How the Shortcut Works

Lagos uses an Accessibility Event Tap to detect global modifier key presses. This is why Lagos requires Accessibility permission — without it, the shortcut can’t work outside of the Lagos window.

The event tap monitors:

• Key down (both modifiers held) → starts recording
• Key up (either modifier released) → stops recording and triggers transcription

Tips

• Hold the keys before you start speaking — there’s a very brief startup time
• Speak clearly and at a natural pace; don’t rush
• Release both keys at the same time (or within ~100ms) for the best experience
• The menu bar icon pulses red while recording so you always know when it’s active

Hiding the Menu Bar Icon

You can hide the menu bar icon entirely if you prefer a minimal setup. Enable this in Settings → Advanced → Hide menu bar icon. The shortcut still works — you just won’t see the visual indicator.