> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://cactal.ai/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Dictate a message

> Dictate and send a message, or review the transcript first.

Use the microphone immediately beside Send to describe a new website or dictate a change to an existing one.

1. Select **Dictate** and allow microphone access if your browser asks.
2. Speak, then select **Stop dictation**. Cactal transcribes the recording with ElevenLabs.
3. Review and edit the text. Select **Send** or **Build it** when you are ready.

To send in one step, select **Send** or **Build it** while recording. Cactal finishes the recording, transcribes it, and sends your completed message with its existing text, images, and selected elements. If transcription fails, detects no speech, or is cancelled, nothing is sent. A retry leaves the transcript in your draft for review.

Stopping a recording does not send a message to the agent. Your existing text, images, and selected preview elements stay in the draft. The waveform temporarily replaces your draft while recording. If your draft changes before transcription finishes, Cactal offers **Insert transcript** so you can choose where it belongs. You can undo an insertion just like a text edit.

## Recording controls

The waveform shows microphone activity. Select the square **Stop dictation** button to transcribe. A compact **Transcribing** state appears until your text is ready. The **X** cancels dictation or a pending transcription and restores your draft. You can also press **Escape** while focused in the composer to cancel. Keyboard users can Tab to the microphone and activate it with Enter or Space. There is no dedicated keyboard shortcut.

Recordings stop at 30 minutes, or sooner if less voice allowance remains. Recordings also have a 50 MB size limit.

Recording continues when you switch browser tabs or apps, as long as your browser and device allow microphone capture. Switching sections within the same site also keeps your recording. Device sleep or a browser interruption can stop capture; when that happens, you can transcribe or discard the captured audio.

Cactal warns before navigating away with a recording or a transcript that has not been added to your draft. Your browser also warns on refresh or closing the tab, where supported. An interrupted upload may offer **Try again**. The recording stays in this composer’s memory until transcription succeeds, you discard it, or you leave. There is no automatic retry expiry. Audio cannot be recovered after closing the page, a browser crash, or signing out.

## Included allowance

Voice transcription does not deduct AI credits. Organizations share a monthly voice allowance:

| Plan       | Included voice input |
| ---------- | -------------------- |
| Free       | 30 minutes           |
| Pro        | 500 minutes          |
| Enterprise | 500 minutes          |

Allowances reset on the first day of each calendar month at 00:00 UTC. The server checks the remaining allowance when you submit a recording for transcription. Transcription uses the measured audio duration, including silence. Cancelling before transcription does not use your allowance. Failed transcription does not consume it. A cancelled request that already completed transcription can still count. Retrying after a lost response submits a new transcription and can count again.

If your organization runs out of voice allowance, you can continue typing. Sending the resulting message still follows the usual agent permissions and AI credit rules. The microphone appears after you verify your email address.

## Privacy

Your browser captures audio only after you activate the microphone and grant permission. When you stop and transcribe, Cactal sends that recording to ElevenLabs Scribe. Cactal does not save recordings or a separate transcript history. Audio is held temporarily for processing; only the inserted text becomes part of your ordinary draft and, when sent, the conversation.

Transcription requests include limited vocabulary hints, such as the website name. Cactal stores your organization's current monthly voice usage total to enforce its allowance; this counter contains no audio or transcripts.

ElevenLabs retains audio and transcription data under the settings of Cactal's provider account. Provider zero retention is available only when separately enabled for an eligible account. Cactal does not promise zero provider retention on a standard account.

## Troubleshooting

* **Microphone access blocked:** allow microphone access in your browser's site settings, then try again.
* **No microphone found:** connect a working microphone and confirm the browser can use it.
* **No speech detected:** speak closer to the microphone and check its input level. The notice clears when you type or change attachments.
* **Voice input unavailable:** try again later or type your message. Unsupported browsers, exhausted allowances, and temporary service limits do not block typing.

Voice input needs a supported browser, a microphone, and a secure HTTPS connection. Cactal selects a supported recording format automatically. Review names, numbers, and technical terms before sending.