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System tray

The system tray (menu bar on Mac, notification area on Windows) is how Kalam stays available while you work in other apps. Closing the main window hides the UI but does not quit — hotkeys and dictation keep working until you choose Quit.

What you see​

Left-click the tray icon to show the main Kalam window. Right-click (or the platform equivalent) opens the tray menu.

Menu itemWhat it does
SettingsOpens the main window on Settings
HistoryOpens History
DictionaryOpens Dictionary
SnippetsOpens Snippets
Check for UpdatesRuns an update check (install from Settings → About when available)
QuitFully exits Kalam

The tray tooltip reflects dictation state, for example Kalam - Ready, Kalam - Recording..., or Kalam - Processing....

Common tasks​

Keep dictating with the window closed​

  1. Close the main window (or leave Show Window on Startup off under Settings → General).
  2. Confirm the tray icon is still present.
  3. Use your dictation hotkeys as usual.

Open a page from the tray​

  1. Open the tray menu.
  2. Choose Settings, History, Dictionary, or Snippets.
  3. The main window focuses and navigates to that page.

Check for updates from the tray​

  1. Choose Check for Updates.
  2. If an update is found, open Settings → About to Update now or Update on next start.

Quit completely​

  1. Open the tray menu.
  2. Choose Quit.
Close ≠ Quit

Closing the window leaves Kalam in the tray so shortcuts still work. Use Quit only when you want dictation fully stopped.