Local processing
Choose what stays on your Mac.
Speech recognition, optional text cleanup, and meeting insights are separate choices in Stenox. Set each one for your workflow, then check the active profile before you start.
Local speech for everyday dictation
Choose Parakeet, Whisper, or Cohere Transcribe to process audio on your Mac after downloading the model. A new installation starts with Parakeet v2 for English; saved settings and profiles can change that selection.
Place your cursor in an editable field and hold Fn/Globe to speak, or use the configured toggle shortcut. Stenox transcribes when you stop, applies enabled filler removal and word replacements, and inserts or copies the result according to your output setting.
Your first dictation →Polish only when you ask
AI Polish is initially off. Enable Polish on demand in Text cleanup, choose Local or Gemini, and click Polish after dictation when you want a rewrite. Normal dictation does not automatically run the selected AI cleanup model.
Local Polish processes text with the selected MLX model. Prepare that model before using it. Filler removal is independent of AI Polish, and profiles can override your speech or cleanup choices.
Local cleanup models and controls →On-device meeting insights
Notetaker uses the active speech model for transcription and a separate insights selection. Choose On-device for local insights with Qwen 3.5 4B. Included conversation, personal-note excerpts, and calendar or reference context are then processed locally.
Turning Automatic insights off stops scheduled reviews. Generate insights still uses the selected provider when you explicitly request it.
Understand optional cloud choices
Cloud speech sends audio to the chosen transcription provider. Gemini Polish sends text and writing instructions. Supported subscription integrations for meeting insights, refinement, and Ask receive the context needed for that operation, which can include transcript, personal-note excerpts, references, and Google Calendar information.
Provider terms and usage charges apply separately. Switching back to local processing does not retract earlier cloud submissions. Local session storage is also distinct from encryption: Stenox’s active SQLite databases are plaintext.
Full privacy and data-flow guide →Before working offline
- Download and prepare the local models you intend to use while online.
- Check speech, any enabled Polish, and Notetaker insights separately, including the active profile.
- Start the seven-day trial or activate your license online. Paid licenses verify every seven days, with up to 30 days offline from the last successful check. Offline access does not extend the trial.
- Run a short sample and review its output before relying on the setup.
License verification uses device and entitlement information, not your audio, transcripts, or notes. Apple Silicon and macOS 15 or later are required.