App renamed from Toucan to Doing: new executable, config directory (~/.config/doing), transcript directory (~/Documents/Doing), and Sparkle feed. Existing settings, API keys, skills, and transcripts are automatically migrated on first launch.
Fix Option+Space hotkey stuck in heavy apps (Teams, Slack): Re-enable CGEvent tap when macOS disables it due to processing timeout, and reset trigger state so the pip doesn't get stuck. Also improved pip animations: instant visual feedback on key release, seamless recording-to-processing transition for cloud providers, and snappier dismiss after paste.
Smart hotkey recommendations: Detects external keyboards (Logitech, etc.) and promotes Option+Space as the default trigger since fn keys on third-party keyboards don't reach macOS. Removed false conflict warnings for Ctrl+V/Z/X/A (Windows conventions, not macOS).
Onboarding discount code hints: Improved discount code entry and license key flow during onboarding.
Fix main thread hangs on recording start: Moved AVAudioEngine and AVAudioRecorder init to background queues — these Core Audio calls were blocking the UI for 2+ seconds. Extracted audio level math to ToucanCore with 23 tests.
YOLO toggle polish: Toggle pill is now near-black when engaged (light mode) for clearer on/off state
Loading phrases: 20 rotating phrases (up from 10) cycling every 3s for more variety during model load
"Hold fn to speak": Status card, menu bar, and hero keycap now say "to speak" instead of "to record"
YOLO Mode toggle: Dedicated toggle row inside the compact status bar to enable auto-return (press Return after pasting). Includes pill toggle, hover tooltip, confirmation feedback on toggle, and ⏎ indicator in the mouse pip during recording when active.
Transcript inbox redesign: Main window now shows transcripts at all times — recording, transcribing, and model loading are compact status cards instead of full-screen takeovers. Hero keycap only appears when no transcripts exist. Removes pattern background and view mode toggle for a cleaner layout.
Smart paste: Toucan no longer tries to paste into its own window (which caused a beep); falls back to copy-only when the main window is focused.
YOLO Return Mode: Auto-return setting now accessible in Settings > General (previously only in menu bar). Automatically presses Return after pasting — perfect for chat apps.
Benchmark mode: Side-by-side comparison of all transcription providers in Advanced settings. Shows local/cloud badges, batch/streaming mode, speed, cost, and transcription text for every provider — including unavailable ones with reasons why.
Apple on-device skills: On macOS 26+, skills (Cleanup, Formalize, Summarize) work out of the box with zero API keys using Apple's Foundation Models — free, private, offline. Includes defensive pre-check for the 4096 token context window limit to avoid app hangs.
Apple Transcription provider: On macOS 26+, users can select "Apple" as a transcription provider using the new SpeechAnalyzer framework — free, on-device, zero dependencies
Fix app hangs: Moved CoreAudio device queries and SMAppService checks off the main thread to prevent UI freezes during Bluetooth device changes and settings rendering
"All Apps" default skill chain: Set a default skill chain that runs on every transcription. App-specific skills override it. Replaces the old auto-run skill with a unified, more powerful approach.
App Skills: Automatically run skills based on the target app (e.g., Formalize for Slack, Cleanup for Ghostty). Configure per-app skill chains in Settings; skill-processed text is pasted instead of raw transcription.
Optional auto-paste: Toggle auto-paste on/off in Settings > General; when off, transcriptions copy to clipboard only. Accessibility permission is only needed when auto-paste is enabled.
Increased free tier from 26 to 100 transcriptions before a license is required
Parakeet attribution: Settings now credits NVIDIA Parakeet TDT model with links to model and CC-BY-4.0 license
Streamlined onboarding: Reduced from 8 steps to 7 by removing redundant final screen; trial and purchase both complete onboarding immediately
Lemon Squeezy checkout: Buy Toucan button opens hosted checkout for one-time purchase with license key delivery
Lemon Squeezy licensing: 7-day free trial with license key activation for $39 one-time purchase (3 devices)
Smooth volume ducking: Volume fades out/in smoothly instead of abrupt changes when recording
Auto-quiet media: Automatically lowers system volume while recording so music/videos don't interfere, restores when done (Settings > Audio)
Inline mic picker: click the StatusCard in ready state to switch input devices without opening System Preferences
Addeed in-app link to changelog
AssemblyAI LLM Gateway: Skills can use Claude Sonnet via AssemblyAI's LLM Gateway with your existing API key (requires billing)
Parakeet transcription: New default local provider using NVIDIA's Parakeet TDT model (~10x faster than WhisperKit, lower WER)
Fun loading messages: Playful rotating phrases while the model wakes up ("Folding ears", "Herding floating point sheep", etc.)
Browse Previous Days: Button to open your transcripts folder directly in Finder
First-run companion window: Practice window opens after onboarding to help new users get started
Redesigned onboarding: Streamlined first-run experience with reordered steps and Parakeet status indicator
Auto-return: Option to automatically press Return after pasting transcription (Settings > General)
Mic picker: Switch input devices from the top bar when multiple mics are connected
Mouse pip: Small floating indicator follows your cursor during recording/transcription, hides only when main window is on top
Bold visual redesign: New colorful interface with 8 selectable themes (System, Coral, Cream, Sky, Mint, Coffee, Aqua, Charcoal)
In-app feedback: Send feedback directly from within Toucan — type or speak your thoughts
Filler word removal: Automatically strips um, uh, er, ah from transcriptions — customize the list in Settings > Transcription
Crash reporting: Automatic crash reports via Sentry help us fix issues faster (no personal data collected)
Re-running setup shows test window: "Try It Out" companion window appears again after re-running onboarding