# Voice mode in Claude Code (VS Code, macOS)

> Source: <https://dev.to/just_an_electron/voice-mode-in-claude-code-vs-code-macos-3cjj>
> Published: 2026-06-25 08:03:48+00:00

Claude Code has a built-in voice mode: hold space, talk, it transcribes into your prompt. Here's how to get it running in the **VS Code integrated terminal** on macOS — including the one step that breaks it for everyone.

Voice mode records via `sox`

. No sox, no audio.

```
brew install sox
sox --version   # sanity check
```

In the Claude Code prompt:

```
/voice
```

Hold **space** to record, release to stop.

Claude Code runs inside VS Code, so macOS attributes the mic request to **Visual Studio Code**.

Open **System Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone**. If VS Code isn't listed, it never requested access yet — and there's no "+" to add it manually. Force the prompt:

macOS only re-reads mic permissions at app launch. A VS Code instance that was already running when you flipped the toggle keeps getting fed silence until you restart it.

The nasty failure: recording "works" but is pure silence (permission denied → all zeros).

```
rec -q /tmp/mictest.wav trim 0 2          # records 2s — say something
sox /tmp/mictest.wav -n stat 2>&1 | grep "Maximum amplitude"
```

`0.000000`

→ still silent. Recheck the toggle, restart VS Code.`0.17`

) → working. RMS around `0.01`

is a normal talking level.| Symptom | Fix |
|---|---|
| "No audio detected" |
`brew install sox` + grant mic permission |
Amplitude `0.000000`
|
Enable VS Code in Microphone settings, then ⌘Q + reopen
|

Toggle off with `/voice`

. Change dictation language with `/config`

.