TransKit Desktop

TransKit Desktop is a cross-platform translation, OCR, realtime monitor, and TTS app for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

• Full User Guide
• Usage
• Keyboard Shortcuts
• What Is New In TransKit
• Installation
• Transcription Setup (Monitor)
• FAQ & Troubleshooting
• Build From Source
• Release New Version (All Platforms)
• Contributing
• License

Keyboard Shortcuts

All shortcuts are fully configurable in Settings → Hotkey. The defaults below are registered automatically on a fresh install — you can reassign or clear any of them at any time.

Cross-platform note: Ctrl+Alt on Windows / Linux is physically the same key combination as Ctrl+Option on macOS. The shortcut is registered once and works on all three platforms without any per-OS adjustment.

Why these keys?

The Ctrl+Alt+ prefix (Ctrl+Option+ on macOS) was chosen because:

• Not claimed by any OS system shortcut on Windows, macOS, or Linux
• Ctrl+Alt+Del, Ctrl+Alt+T (Linux terminal), and Ctrl+Alt+L (Linux lock) are the only reserved combinations in this family — all avoided above
• Common developer shortcuts (Ctrl+Shift+I, Ctrl+Shift+R, `Ctrl+``) that would conflict with browsers and IDEs are not used
• Single-hand press is still comfortable with the left hand on Ctrl+Alt and a letter key

You can freely reassign any shortcut in Settings → Hotkey, or clear a field (Backspace) to disable it.

What Is New In TransKit

Compared to upstream Pot, TransKit extends realtime and AI workflows.

Realtime Monitor

Implemented in src/window/Monitor/index.jsx and related components.

• Realtime meeting monitor with low-latency speech-to-text and translation
• Sub Mode (subtitle-style overlay)
• AI context generation and AI suggestion per transcript entry
• Bookmark timeline for important lines
• Auto-save transcript to Markdown files
• Quick open for saved transcript file/folder

TTS (Free + Premium, BYO API)

• Free-friendly: Edge TTS, Google TTS
• Premium: ElevenLabs, OpenAI-compatible TTS
• Self-host option: VieNeu streaming TTS
• BYO API key per user in app settings

Installation

Release page: https://github.com/transkit-app/transkit-desktop/releases/latest

Windows

1. Download the latest .exe installer from Releases.
2. Choose package by architecture:
   • x64: TransKit_{version}_x64-setup.exe
   • x86: TransKit_{version}_x86-setup.exe
   • arm64: TransKit_{version}_arm64-setup.exe
3. Run the installer.

   [!NOTE] If Windows Defender shows a "Windows protected your PC" message, click "More info" and then "Run anyway".

Alternatively, install via Winget:

winget install TransKit

macOS

Install via Homebrew:

brew tap transkit-app/tap
brew install --cask transkit

Alternatively

1. Download the latest .dmg from the Releases page.
2. Open the .dmg and drag TransKit to Applications.
3. Important — the app is not yet signed with an Apple Developer certificate. macOS will block it on first open. Run this command once in Terminal to allow it:

   xattr -cr /Applications/TransKit.app
   

4. On first launch, macOS will ask for Screen & System Audio Recording permissions. Toggle them ON in System Settings for TransKit to capture system audio.

Linux

1. Download the package for your architecture from Releases.
2. Available package formats:
   • .deb (Ubuntu/Debian)
   • .rpm (Fedora/RHEL)
   • .AppImage (Universal)

---

Transcription Setup (Monitor)

While basic translation features (Selection/Input/OCR) work out-of-the-box, the Realtime Monitor requires a Transcription (Speech-to-Text) provider.

1. Go to Settings > Service > Transcription.
2. Add a provider and enter your API Key. Supported providers include:
   • Soniox (Recommended for low latency) - Get API Key require credit
   • Deepgram - Get API Key free signup, get $200 credit
   • AssemblyAI - Get API Key
   • Gladia - Get API Key free signup, get free 10 hours transcription credit/month
   • OpenAI Whisper - Get API Key
3. Go to Settings > Hotkey and set a shortcut for Audio Monitor.

FAQ & Troubleshooting

Why is the translation window not appearing?

• Check if the hotkey is registered correctly in Settings > Hotkey.
• Ensure there are no hotkey conflicts with other applications.

Monitor status shows "Error"?

• Verify your Internet connection.
• Check if your API key for the Transcription provider is correct and has a balance.

No audio captured on macOS?

• Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security.
• Ensure TransKit has permissions for Microphone and Screen Recording (required for capturing system audio).

Build From Source

Requirements

• Node.js 20+
• pnpm 9+
• Rust stable

Commands

pnpm install
pnpm tauri dev
pnpm tauri build

[!TIP] For Developers Building from Source: If you want to disable Transkit Cloud features (Auth, Trial keys), copy .env.example to .env and set VITE_DISABLE_CLOUD=true before building.

Release New Version (All Platforms)

TransKit uses CI workflow: .github/workflows/package.yml

1. Update CHANGELOG.
2. Create tag:

git tag v3.1.0
git push origin v3.1.0

3. GitHub Actions builds and publishes:
   • macOS: aarch64, x86_64
   • Windows: x64, x86, arm64 (+ fix-runtime variants)
   • Linux: x86_64, i686, aarch64, armv7

Required release secrets include TAURI_PRIVATE_KEY, TAURI_KEY_PASSWORD, and Apple signing/notarization secrets for macOS jobs.

Updater scripts/docs: updater/README.md

Contributing

1. Fork repo and create a feature branch.
2. Keep changes focused and add tests/checks when applicable.
3. Run local checks/build before PR:

pnpm install
pnpm tauri dev
pnpm tauri build

4. Open a Pull Request with:
   • clear summary
   • screenshots/GIFs for UI changes
   • migration notes if config keys are changed

Credits

This project was originally forked from Pot Desktop.

Significant improvements and modifications have been made.

License

GPL-3.0-only. See LICENSE.