Translate selections in place
Select text in a browser, PDF, design tool, terminal, or other Mac app and translate it between supported languages. Results can be inserted in place or copied from the result bubble.
Jarq
Jarq is a Mac productivity tool for translating, rewriting, shortening, and improving selected text directly in the app where you work. It also adds punctuated dictation at the cursor, including optional offline recognition on Apple Silicon Macs.
What is Jarq?
Jarq is a macOS writing and translation utility that works from the app where you are already reading or typing. Select text to translate, shorten, improve, formalize, or otherwise rewrite it, or use a keyboard shortcut to dictate finished text directly into the active field.
The app is designed to reduce copy-and-paste between a working document and separate language or writing tools. Results appear beside the selection or at the cursor, with options to insert, copy, or regenerate. It supports Mac apps including browsers, PDFs, Figma, terminals, Telegram, Mail, Slack, and IDEs, although the exact behavior depends on the app and whether it exposes a selection.
Core features
Rewrite and improve text
Run actions such as Improve, Short, Tone, and custom instructions on selected text. Jarq shows the result before insertion and preserves surrounding formatting, including headings, lists, to-dos, mentions, and fonts.
Keyboard access across apps
Press ⌥T to open Jarq when a visible selection dot does not appear, including in Figma, terminals, and Telegram. With no text selected, the shortcut opens Ask.
Dictation at the cursor
Press ⌥` to dictate into the active text field. Jarq adds punctuation and capitals, can translate as you speak, and supports a local speech model for offline dictation.
Custom text actions
Create a button from an instruction written in your own words, such as shortening text or fixing grammar. Selected text is treated as the material for the instruction, not as a command.
Local and cloud processing controls
Selection history remains on the Mac. Cloud processing handles translation, text actions, Ask, and cloud dictation in memory, while the optional on-device speech model keeps voice recognition local.
Practical use cases
Bilingual email and messaging
Translate an incoming message, read it alongside the original, and draft a response in your own language. Jarq can translate the reply as you write or speak it into the active field.
Polishing work communication
Turn a rough Mail, Slack, or document draft into a shorter, clearer, or more formal message without moving the text into another window.
Hands-free drafting
Speak into a text field in an app such as Mail, Slack, or an IDE, then let Jarq place punctuated text at the cursor. The optional local model is suited to offline dictation in the language you speak.
Editing in specialist apps
Use ⌥T in Figma, a terminal, or Telegram when the normal selection control is unavailable, then apply a built-in or custom instruction to the selected text.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Works from the current Mac app instead of requiring repeated tab switching and copy-paste.
- Combines translation, rewriting actions, custom instructions, and dictation in one cursor-based workflow.
- Provides an optional on-device speech model for offline, free, unlimited dictation.
- Offers keyboard access for apps where a selection control is not visible and supports configurable hotkeys.
- Explains which processing stays on the Mac and which requests go to the cloud.
Cons
- Requires an Apple Silicon Mac running macOS 13 or newer; Intel Macs are not supported.
- Most translation, text actions, Ask requests, and cross-language dictation require an internet connection and use cloud processing.
- The free plan limits cloud-based dictations or translations to five per day after the trial.
FAQ
What does Jarq require to run?
Jarq requires a Mac with Apple silicon, such as M1 or later, running macOS 13 Ventura or newer. Setup requires Accessibility permission, and microphone permission is needed only for dictation.
How do I set up Jarq?
Install Jarq by opening its disk image, dragging the app into Applications, and opening it. The setup tour guides you through Accessibility and optional microphone permissions, language settings, and the trial. Jarq then runs from the menu bar.
How does text editing work?
Select text in an app and use the dot that appears beside the selection, or press ⌥T to open the text controls. Choose an action, then insert the result in place, copy it, or regenerate it. With no selection, ⌥T opens Ask.
How does dictation work?
Press ⌥` to start dictation and press it again when finished. Jarq places punctuated text at the cursor. You can also choose push-to-talk, change the shortcut, or dictate in one language while typing in another.
What happens after the trial?
Jarq has a 14-day Pro trial without a card or account. Afterward, the free plan allows five cloud-based dictations or translations per day, while dictation through the optional on-device speech model remains free and unlimited. Paid plans remove the daily limit for normal use.
Quick Facts
- Category
- Mac productivity and writing tool
- Platform
- macOS 13 Ventura or later on Apple Silicon (M1 or later)
- Primary workflow
- Select text or use a hotkey; insert the result at the selection or cursor
- Text capabilities
- Translation, rewriting, shortening, tone changes, custom actions, and Ask
- Dictation
- Cloud or optional on-device speech recognition; on-device mode works offline
- Trial and free tier
- 14-day Pro trial; afterward, five cloud-based dictations or translations per day on the free plan
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