Hotkey Setup Guide

AI Transcription Notepad uses global hotkeys (F15-F19) that work system-wide, even when the app is minimized. Most standard keyboards don't have F15+ keys, but you can easily remap any key or button to emit these keycodes.

!!! tip "Recommended Tool: Input Remapper" We highly recommend Input Remapper for setting up hotkeys on Linux. It's a powerful, open-source tool that works with any input device including foot pedals, macro keypads, and extra mouse buttons.

Download PDF Guide - Visual step-by-step walkthrough

This guide shows two approaches:

1. Remap to Pause key - Use an existing keyboard key that AI Transcription Notepad can detect
2. Remap to F15 - Use the extended function keys for dedicated voice control

Why F15-F19?

These extended function keys are ideal because:

• They don't conflict with other applications
• They're not used by any desktop environment shortcuts
• They work reliably across Linux, including Wayland

Using Input Remapper

Input Remapper is a Linux tool for remapping keys and buttons from any input device.

Installation

Ubuntu/Debian:

sudo apt install input-remapper

Fedora:

sudo dnf install input-remapper

Arch:

sudo pacman -S input-remapper-git

Step 1: Select Your Device

Open Input Remapper and select the device you want to remap. This could be:

• A USB foot pedal
• A macro keypad
• Extra mouse buttons
• Any HID device

Step 2: Select the Specific Device

Some devices appear multiple times (keyboard interface, mouse interface, etc.). Select the one that matches your input type.

Step 3: Open the Editor

Switch to the Editor tab to create key mappings.

Step 4: Record the Input

Click Record and press the button you want to remap. Input Remapper will capture it.

Step 5: Choose the Output Key

Type the key name in the output field. Input Remapper provides autocomplete suggestions.

Option A: Use KEY_PAUSE

Search for "pause" and select KEY_PAUSE. This maps your button to the standard Pause/Break key.

Option B: Use KEY_F15

Search for "f15" and select KEY_F15. This gives you a dedicated key that won't conflict with anything.

Step 6: Apply and Enable Autoload

1. Click Apply to activate the mapping
2. Enable Autoload to make it persist across reboots

Recommended Mappings

If you have multiple buttons available (like a foot pedal with 3 buttons), consider this setup:

Button	Maps To	AI Transcription Notepad Action
Button 1	KEY_F15	Toggle Recording
Button 2	KEY_F17	Transcribe
Button 3	KEY_F18	Clear/Delete

Alternative: Standard Keyboard Keys

If you prefer using standard keyboard keys, you can also use:

• Pause/Break - Usually available and rarely used
• Scroll Lock - Another rarely-used key
• Insert - If you don't use it for pasting

Configure these in AI Transcription Notepad's Settings > Hotkeys tab. Each function can be assigned any key from F13-F24, or disabled entirely.

Troubleshooting

Input Remapper doesn't see my device:

• Make sure the device is connected before opening Input Remapper
• Try running sudo input-remapper-gtk for permission issues
• Check if udev rules are needed for your device

Keys don't work in AI Transcription Notepad:

• Verify the mapping is active (green indicator in Input Remapper)
• Test with xev or wev to confirm the key is being emitted
• On Wayland, ensure XWayland compatibility is working

Autoload not working:

• Enable the Input Remapper service: systemctl --user enable input-remapper
• Make sure the preset is saved with Autoload enabled