AI assistant for safe, reliable productivity with code, collaboration, and integrations.
Yap
About Yap
Yap is a voice dictation tool designed specifically for macOS that prioritizes speed and privacy. It operates entirely on-device using Apple’s Speech framework, meaning no audio data leaves the user’s Mac and no account or API key is required. Transcripts are stored locally and can be searched or reused, and the tool works completely offline with no network dependencies. Users can start and stop dictation with a single keyboard shortcut, which can be customized to any key combination. Dictated text is automatically pasted into the active application, whether that is a terminal, browser, or any other text field. The application is open-source under the MIT license and supports Apple Silicon Macs running macOS Tahoe.
Key features
- On-device voice recognition
- Customizable dictation shortcut
- Local transcript storage and search
- Paste anywhere functionality
- No account or API key required
- Apple Silicon support
- MIT licensed
- Offline operation
Use cases
- Dictating emails or messages
- Prompting coding agents
- Taking notes in any application
Pros
- On-device processing with no telemetry
- Works entirely offline
- Customizable keyboard shortcut
- Local transcript history with search
- Open-source under MIT license
Cons
- macOS only
- Requires Apple Silicon or compatible Intel Mac
- No cloud sync or cross-device support
Frequently asked questions about Yap
What is Yap and what does it do?
Yap is a voice dictation tool designed for macOS that enables users to dictate text using their voice. It operates entirely on-device using Apple’s Speech framework, ensuring that audio data never leaves the user’s Mac.
Who is Yap designed for?
Yap is designed for macOS users who prioritize speed and privacy in voice dictation. It is particularly useful for developers, writers, and professionals who need to dictate text quickly and securely without relying on cloud services.
Does Yap require an internet connection to work?
No, Yap works completely offline with no network dependencies. Users can dictate text even without an internet connection, such as on a plane with no signal.
How do I install Yap on my Mac?
Yap can be installed on macOS via Homebrew using the command 'brew install --cask frigadehq/tap/yap'. It is also available for download directly from the Frigade website.
Is Yap open-source?
Yes, Yap is open-source and licensed under the MIT license. The source code is available on GitHub for users to review and contribute to.
Can I customize the keyboard shortcut for Yap?
Yes, users can customize the keyboard shortcut to start and stop dictation. The shortcut can be rebound to any key combination according to the user’s preference.