# What are contexts?

Source: https://help.contextli.com/articles/what-are-contexts

A context is a saved set of AI instructions with its own global hotkey, icon and colour. Press a context's hotkey in any app, speak naturally, and Contextli pastes your words back in that format, for example as an email, a Slack message or a bug report.

## How a context works

1. You press the context's hotkey and speak.
2. Contextli transcribes what you said.
3. Your words are sent to the AI together with the context's **Instructions**.
4. The result is pasted at your cursor (and copied to your clipboard).

Your meaning stays the same. The context only changes format and tone.

## The Default Transcription context

**Default Transcription** is always on and uses your main recording hotkey (Option+Space on Mac, Ctrl+Space on Windows and Linux by default). It gives you a plain transcript. Turn on **Polished Transcription** on its card if you want the AI to fix grammar and punctuation as well.

## Built-in and custom contexts

- **Built-in contexts** such as **Slack**, **Email**, **LinkedIn**, **Support: Ticket Response** and **Executive: Meeting Notes** are ready to use. They are off until you turn them on.
- **Custom contexts** are ones you write yourself with **Add New Context**.
- **Shared with Me** shows contexts other people shared with you through Spaces.

You manage all of them on the **Contexts** page in the sidebar.

![Contexts page listing Polished Transcription, Slack and Email with their hotkeys and toggles](https://cdn.kamaan.io/kamaan/sites/6ae9f572170cd8d9857a277c/images/contextli-contexts-page.webp)

## Ways to use a context

- Press its own hotkey.
- Click it on the contexts bar on your screen.
- Let Contextli pick it for you based on the app you are in (auto-activate, available on some built-in contexts).

## Looking for more?

The **Context Library** banner on the Contexts page links to 200+ ready-made contexts at contextli.com. Click **Browse Library** to see them.

## Related articles

- [Turn on built-in contexts like Email and Slack](/articles/enable-built-in-contexts)
- [Create a custom context](/articles/create-a-custom-context)
- [Turn Polished Transcription on or off](/articles/turn-on-polished-transcription)
- [Use the contexts bar and Quick Mic button](/articles/use-the-contexts-bar-and-quick-mic)