> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.tuple.app/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Transcribing calls

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  <Warning>
    Tuple's local transcription feature is in **alpha**. Aspects of the feature might change as we continue to iterate on feedback.
  </Warning>

  Tuple can transcribe what you and your pair say during a call. Transcription runs **entirely on your machine** — nothing is sent to an external service.

  ## Starting and stopping transcription

  The **Transcribe** button appears in the call controls popover, the screen share window, and the webcam window.

  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/tuple-0f82e5be/7qnzbneqGiYSFcoJ/images/pairing-with-tuple/transcription/transcription-screen-share-window.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=7qnzbneqGiYSFcoJ&q=85&s=d0307371e1d6577fa469d6fed7c05c46" alt="Transcription screen share control" width="2710" height="1992" data-path="images/pairing-with-tuple/transcription/transcription-screen-share-window.png" />

  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/tuple-0f82e5be/7qnzbneqGiYSFcoJ/images/pairing-with-tuple/transcription/transcription-webcam-window.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=7qnzbneqGiYSFcoJ&q=85&s=f79ea40702241f03353a5ef0e01b1296" alt="Transcription webcam control" width="1724" height="1724" data-path="images/pairing-with-tuple/transcription/transcription-webcam-window.png" />

  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/tuple-0f82e5be/7qnzbneqGiYSFcoJ/images/pairing-with-tuple/transcription/transcription-popover-control.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=7qnzbneqGiYSFcoJ&q=85&s=95cb77584516f2893a5acb90914ef85f" alt="Transcription popover control" width="834" height="948" data-path="images/pairing-with-tuple/transcription/transcription-popover-control.png" />

  ## Notifying participants about transcription

  When you start transcription, every other participant receives a privacy notice. Transcription starts immediately — the notice is informational, not a gate. The notice stays on screen until the participant acknowledges it or leaves the call.

  If you join a call that's already being transcribed, you'll receive the same notice.

  While transcription is active, each transcribing participant shows a **Transcribing** indicator in the popover participant list and in the screen share window's participant list.

  ### Transcribing solo

  You can transcribe a call by yourself, even before any other participants have joined. This is useful for capturing notes, dictation, or working with an agent (see [Connecting an agent](#connecting-an-agent)).

  ## First-run model download

  Tuple transcribes using an on-device Whisper model. If you attempt to start transcription without a model downloaded, you'll be prompted to download one. Click **Download** to fetch the default "Turbo" model. When the download finishes, transcription starts automatically.

  To choose a different model before downloading, click **Open Settings…** instead. Learn more about [supported models](/application-preferences/macos-preferences-transcription#supported-models).

  ## Connecting an agent

  When transcription is active, the panel shows a `tuple connect` command. Copy it and run it in a terminal to attach an AI agent (Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, Copilot, or any [harness](/cli/connect#supported-harnesses)) to the live call.

  If the Tuple CLI isn't installed yet, the panel shows an **Install CLI** button instead.

  See [Connect an AI agent](/cli/connect) for full details on what agents can do once connected.

  ## Accessing your transcripts

  Transcripts are stored in a local database on your machine. Use the `tuple` CLI to search, list, and export past calls. See [Searching past calls](/pairing-with-tuple/searching-past-calls).

  ## Automating with triggers

  Tuple fires `call-transcription-started` and `call-transcription-complete` [triggers](/triggers/api-reference) when transcription begins and ends. Use a trigger script to post-process transcripts, summarize the call, or save it into your team's notes system.

  Browse the [Triggers Directory](https://tuple.app/triggers/directory?event=call-transcription-started\&event=call-transcription-complete) to see what others have built.
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