> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://superwhisper-docs-cloud-model-rate-limits.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Context Awareness

> Learn how Superwhisper captures context, troubleshoot related issues, and optimize your dictation experience with different context types.

## Overview

Superwhisper's context awareness is one of its most powerful features, allowing the application to process your dictation with relevant information. This creates more accurate results.

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### Types of Context

Superwhisper can capture three different types of context:

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Selected Text Context" icon="text-size">
    Text that is highlighted/selected in your active window when you begin recording.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Application Context" icon="window">
    Text from active input fields, names, and title from your active window.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Clipboard Context" icon="clipboard">
    Content that has been copied to your clipboard before or during dictation.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

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### Context Availability

Not all modes in Superwhisper capture context by default. Understanding which modes use context is essential for getting the results you expect.

* **Built-in Modes**: Most do not have context awareness enabled
* **Super Mode**: The only built-in mode with all three context types enabled by default
* **Custom Modes**: Can be configured to use any combination of context types

<Tip>
  Be selective about which context types you enable for custom modes. Enabling unnecessary context can send excessive information to the AI, potentially affecting result quality.
</Tip>

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### Context Capture Timing

Each type of context is captured at a different point in the dictation process, which is important to understand for optimal results:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Selected Text Context">
    Captured exactly when you start recording (when you toggle on dictation). The focus must remain on the application containing the selected text at this moment.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Clipboard Context">
    Captured either within three seconds before recording starts OR during dictation. The last item copied during this period will be used.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Application Context">
    Captured after voice processing is complete, between the transcription and AI processing steps. This means your active window at this point determines what context is captured.
  </Step>
</Steps>

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## Context Issues and Solutions

### Selected Text Context Not Working

* **Focus Issue**: Make sure your focus is on the application with the selected text when you start recording
* **Mode Configuration**: Verify you're using Super Mode or a custom mode with [selected text context enabled](../modes/custom#advanced-tip)
* **Deep Link Usage**: When triggering recording via deep links using shell commands, use the `-g` flag to open in the background so focus remains on your target application

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### Application Context Not Working

* **Switching Windows**: If you switch to a different window after dictation but before processing completes, you may capture the wrong context or none at all
* **Accessibility Permissions**: Ensure Superwhisper has accessibility permissions enabled in System Preferences/Settings
* **Mode Configuration**: Verify the mode you're using has application context enabled

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### Clipboard Context Not Working

* **Timing Issues**: Make sure you're copying content either shortly (three seconds) before starting recording or during dictation
* **Mode Configuration**: Verify the mode you're using has clipboard context enabled

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## Explore More

<CardGroup cols={2}> <Card title="Super Mode" icon="wand-magic-sparkles" href="/modes/super"> Learn how to use Super Mode's context awareness features, discover powerful commands for text manipulation, and troubleshoot issues specific to this mode. </Card> <Card title="History" icon="clock-rotate-left" href="/get-started/interface-history"> The History tab is essential for troubleshooting context features, as it displays all information sent to AI. </Card> </CardGroup>

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