Use quick entry with Claude Desktop on Mac (original) (raw)

Quick entry is a redesigned experience for Claude Desktop on Mac that lets you access Claude instantly from anywhere on your computer. With quick entry, you can start chats, capture screenshots, share application windows, and use voice dictation to interact with Claude without navigating away from your current task.

Key features

Quick entry includes three main capabilities:

System requirements

To use quick entry, you need:

Setting up quick entry

When you first open the updated version of Claude Desktop, you'll see a prompt to enable quick entry shortcuts.

Enable the chat shortcut

Once enabled, double-tapping Option will open a text box where you can type your message and start a new chat. You can also click "New chat" to see your five most recent conversations.

Enable the voice shortcut (optional)

The voice dictation shortcut is disabled by default because it takes over your Caps Lock key.

To enable voice dictation:

Using quick entry

Start a quick conversation

Capture a screenshot

Share an application window

Use voice dictation

Customizing shortcuts

You can customize quick entry shortcuts in your Claude Desktop settings.

Permissions

Quick entry requires certain macOS permissions to function:

You can review or change these permissions in System Settings > Privacy & Security.

Common use cases

Quick entry is designed for moments when you need Claude's help without breaking your flow:

FAQ

Do I need to keep Claude Desktop open to use quick entry?

Yes. Claude Desktop needs to be running on your Mac, but it can run in the background. You don't need to have the Claude window visible.

Can I use quick entry on Windows?

No. Quick entry is currently only available for macOS users. Windows users can still access Claude Desktop, but without the quick entry features.

Is my voice recorded when I use dictation?

Voice dictation transcribes your speech to text in real-time. The transcribed text is sent to Claude as part of your message, just like any other text input.

Can I disable quick entry after enabling it?

Yes. You can disable quick entry shortcuts at any time in Settings > General > Desktop App. You can turn off the quick access shortcut, voice shortcut, or both.

What if the shortcuts conflict with other apps?

You can customize the quick access shortcut to use Option + Space or create a custom keyboard shortcut that doesn't conflict with your other applications. The voice shortcut can only use Caps Lock or be disabled.

Related Articles

Install Claude DesktopUsing Claude App Intents, Shortcuts, and Widgets on iOSUsing the Claude Widget on AndroidDeploy Claude Desktop for macOSOpen Claude Desktop with a link