LipoDictation modes
A mode tells Lipo what kind of writing you're doing, so the pasted text comes out right for the situation — a chat message shouldn't read like a business email, and an AI coding prompt shouldn't have its file names "corrected." Lipo has three modes, and you can pin a mode to specific apps so it switches automatically.
The three modes
| Mode | What it does | Cleanup default |
|---|---|---|
| Casual | Fixes grammar, punctuation, and light structure while keeping your natural voice. Use it for chats, notes, quick thoughts, and everyday writing. | On — keeps your tone |
| Formal | Refines dictation into clear, professional writing without making it sound stiff. Use it for emails, reports, client replies, team updates, and work messages. | On — professional rewrite |
| Vibe Coding | Cleans developer dictation while keeping technical details exact. Use it for AI coding prompts, commands, file names, bug reports, and implementation notes. | Off — pastes instantly |
Pick your default mode in the Mode section of the Dictation tab. The mode icon on the floating pill always shows which one is active — hover it to check while you're recording.
How the modes differ under the hood
Two things change with the mode:
- The cleanup style. Casual polishes lightly and preserves how you talk. Formal rewrites toward professional writing. Vibe Coding skips the polish step by default, so your text pastes immediately and technical terms stay exactly as you said them. Each mode has its own Polish text setting, so turning cleanup off for Vibe Coding doesn't affect Casual or Formal.
- The starting vocabulary. Each mode comes with a curated word list tuned to its job — Casual starts with AI and creator tools people mention in conversation (ChatGPT, CapCut, Substack…), Formal with business tools (Slack, HubSpot, QuickBooks…), and Vibe Coding with developer and AI vocabulary (Cursor, SwiftUI, TypeScript, model names…). You can edit all of these — see Your Dictionary.
App modes: pin a mode to an app
The App modes section lets specific apps always use a specific mode, no matter what your default is. A common setup:
- Mail → Formal, so email always comes out professional.
- Messages → Casual, so texts sound like you.
- Your code editor or AI chat app → Vibe Coding.
To add one, click Add app, search for the app by name, and pick the mode from the dropdown next to it. Remove an assignment with the minus button.
When you dictate, Lipo checks the app in front: if it has an assigned mode, that mode is used; everywhere else — including websites in your browser — Lipo uses the default mode you picked in Mode.
Frequently asked questions
Which mode should I start with?
Casual. It cleans up your speech while keeping your tone, which is right for most everyday writing. Add app assignments for the places where you always want something else, like Formal for Mail.
Can I switch modes mid-recording?
The mode is set when the recording starts — from the front app's assignment or your default. Change your default in the Dictation tab, or assign a mode to the app you're working in so it's always right automatically.
Do app modes work for individual websites?
No — assignments are per app. Everything inside your browser uses your default mode, whichever site is open.
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