Dictation indicator

Open Settings → Dictation → Dictation indicator to choose how Epilude shows dictation status on this Mac.

• Bottom pill keeps the existing indicator near the bottom of the screen. This is the default.
• Caret dot places a small indicator below the insertion point in a supported, focused editable field. Clicks pass straight through it to your text. When the app doesn't expose a usable caret position, no idle dot appears. Placement adjusts near screen edges to stay visible.

Turn Show indicator when idle on to keep a reminder visible when you aren't dictating. Turn it off to show feedback only while dictation is active. This is the same preference as Keep dictation indicator visible in General settings.

Use the caret dot

Click into an editable field with no text selected. When the app exposes its insertion-point position through Accessibility, the dot follows that position. Hover over the idle dot to see the same hotkey reminders as the bottom pill. Use your usual dictation hotkey to start; the dot does not start recording automatically.

The dot also works inside Epilude's editable notes, using the note editor's native caret position. It stays hidden for selected text, read-only notes, and inputs inside the Actions popup.

During dictation, the dot expands into a small waveform at the caret, then shows a spinner while your dictation is processed. It returns to the idle dot when finished, or disappears if idle reminders are off. If Epilude can't locate the actual caret, recording and processing use the bottom pill instead, even when idle reminders are off. Errors and other detailed feedback also use the pill. Voice Actions and Narrator keep their existing status controls.

Supported fields and permissions

Caret placement needs Accessibility permission. If prompted, enable Epilude in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility. Without usable caret geometry, no idle dot is shown.

Password fields, disabled or read-only fields, selected text, and apps that do not expose a usable caret position do not show an idle caret dot. Some empty browser editors, address bars, and custom editors don't expose that position. Google Docs is one of them: it paints your document itself and publishes the caret's position from an off-screen copy, so there is no on-screen point to sit beside, with or without its screen reader support turned on. Dictation still uses the bottom pill in these fields. Choose Bottom pill if you prefer a consistent screen-level reminder.

Finding the caret checks local Accessibility metadata and its position; it does not read field contents or copy them to your clipboard. Changing indicator style does not change your dictation model or where dictation is processed.

The caret dot is separate from the Actions selection indicator, which appears beside highlighted text and opens on click. Their visibility settings are independent.