# Choose Toggle or Hold to record

Source: https://help.contextli.com/articles/toggle-vs-hold-to-record

**Toggle Recording** starts when you press the hotkey and stops when you press it again. **Hold to Record** records only while you hold the hotkey down and stops when you let go. Switch between them in **Settings > General > Recording Mode**.

## Which one to pick

- **Toggle Recording** is best for longer dictation, like emails or notes. Your hands are free while you talk.
- **Hold to Record** is best for quick messages. It works like a walkie-talkie and you never forget to stop.

## Switch modes

1. Click **Settings** at the bottom of the sidebar.
2. On the **General** tab, under **Recording**, find **Recording Mode**.
3. Click **Toggle Recording** ("Press hotkey to start, press again to stop.") or **Hold to Record** ("Hold hotkey while speaking, release when done.").

![Settings, General tab: recording mode, keyboard shortcut, microphone and transcription language](https://cdn.kamaan.io/kamaan/sites/6ae9f572170cd8d9857a277c/images/contextli-settings-general-recording.webp)

You can also choose a mode during setup on the **Let's Get You Set Up** screen.

## Hotkeys for each mode

Both modes use the same **Keyboard Shortcut**. The rules differ a little:

- **Toggle Recording** needs a modifier plus a key, for example Option+Space on Mac or Ctrl+Space on Windows and Linux.
- **Hold to Record** accepts any key or combination, even a single key like Right Option on Mac.
- On Windows, **Ctrl + Win** is a good Hold key because it never fires while you copy or paste.

If Contextli cannot use a hotkey in Hold mode, it shows a **Hotkey Registration Warning** and that hotkey falls back to Toggle mode. Pick a standard combination like Ctrl plus a key and try again.

## Tips

- Wait for the start sound before you speak, so the first word is not lost.
- In Hold mode, keep holding until you finish your last word.
- To stop a recording without keeping it, click **Cancel recording** on the on-screen widget.

## Related articles

- [Change your recording hotkey](/articles/change-your-recording-hotkey)
- [Default keyboard shortcuts on Mac, Windows and Linux](/articles/default-keyboard-shortcuts)
- [Dictation is slow or cuts off my first words](/articles/dictation-is-slow-or-cuts-off-the-start)