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

# Context awareness

> Learn how Superwhisper captures selected text, application, and clipboard context. Then fix context that is missing or wrong.

## Overview

Context awareness lets Superwhisper process your dictation with relevant information from your screen, which produces more accurate results.

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### Types of context

Superwhisper can capture three types of context:

> [card] Selected text context
>
> Text that is highlighted/selected in your active window when you begin recording.

> [card] Application context
>
> Text from active input fields, names, and title from your active window.

> [card] Clipboard context
>
> Content that has been copied to your clipboard before or during dictation.

***

### Which modes capture context

* **Built-in modes**: most don't have context awareness enabled
* **Super Mode**: the only built-in mode with all three context types on by default
* **Custom modes**: can use any combination of context types

> [!TIP]
>
> Enable only the context types a mode needs. Unnecessary context sends extra information to the AI and can hurt result quality.

***

### When each context is captured

Each context type is captured at a different point in the dictation:

**1. 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.

**2. Clipboard context**

Captured either within three seconds before recording starts OR during dictation. The last item copied during this period will be used.

**3. 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.

***

## Context issues and solutions

### Selected text context not working

* **Focus**: keep focus 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](https://superwhisper.com/docs/modes/custom.md#context-awareness)
* **Deep links**: when triggering recording via deep links from shell commands, use the `-g` flag to open in the background so focus stays on your target application

***

### Application context not working

* **Switching windows**: if you switch windows after dictating but before processing completes, you may capture the wrong context or none
* **Accessibility permission**: make sure Superwhisper is enabled in **System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility**
* **Mode configuration**: verify the mode has application context enabled

***

### Clipboard context not working

* **Timing**: copy the content within three seconds before starting recording, or during dictation
* **Mode configuration**: verify the mode has clipboard context enabled

***

## Related

 \[card] [Super Mode](https://superwhisper.com/docs/modes/built-in.md#super) Super Mode's context features, commands, and troubleshooting. \[card] [History](https://superwhisper.com/docs/get-started/history.md) The Prompt field in History shows exactly what context was sent to the AI. 


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