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Linux panel chip

On Linux, dictation status lives in a panel applet, not a floating pill. The applet ships with the app. It shows voice level and time while you talk. Add it once for your desktop, then watch the chip on every dictation.

Before you add it​

  1. Install Kalam from the download page. Use the .deb on Ubuntu, Mint, and Pop!_OS. Use the AppImage on Fedora, Arch Linux, and CachyOS.
  2. On MATE, install the .deb. The AppImage may not show up in the panel.
  3. Finish the wizard Access step. The Panel chip row reads In panel or Not added.

The applet does not record audio and does not type. It only shows status.

Supported desktops: GNOME, KDE Plasma, Cinnamon, MATE, Xfce, and COSMIC. On other desktops the tray icon shows dictation status. Hyprland and Sway are not targets.

GNOME​

Kalam adds its GNOME extension for you (kalam@kalamvoice.com), so the chip should already be in the top bar.

If it is missing:

  1. Open the Extensions app.
  2. Switch on Kalam.
  3. If it still does not appear, run gnome-extensions enable kalam@kalamvoice.com.

After a GNOME upgrade you may need to switch it on again.

KDE Plasma​

  1. Right-click your panel.
  2. Choose Add Widgets….
  3. Search for Kalam.
  4. Drag Kalam Dictation onto the panel.

Cinnamon​

  1. Right-click your panel.
  2. Choose Applets.
  3. Find Kalam Dictation.
  4. Press +.

MATE​

Use the .deb. The AppImage may not register this applet.

  1. Right-click your panel.
  2. Choose Add to Panel….
  3. Choose Kalam Dictation.
  4. Click Add.

Xfce​

  1. Right-click your panel.
  2. Choose Panel.
  3. Choose Add New Items….
  4. Choose Kalam Dictation.
  5. Click Add.

COSMIC​

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Open Desktop.
  3. Open Panel.
  4. Open Configure panel applets.
  5. Add Kalam Dictation.

After it is in the panel​

  1. Hold Hold to dictate (Ctrl+Alt by default).
  2. Watch the chip, not a floating pill.
  3. Speak, then release.

If the wizard still says Not added, log out and back in after install, then add the applet again for your desktop.