# Permissions & Setup

Grant the required permissions for recording and AI features.

Silkwave Voice needs a few macOS permissions to function. The app will prompt you when each permission is needed, but you can also configure them manually.

### [Microphone](/content/docs/silkwave-voice/permissions-and-setup#microphone/index.html)

Required to capture external audio such as your voice or in-person meetings.

When prompted, click **Allow** to grant microphone access. If you previously denied it, re-enable it from:

**System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone** and toggle Silkwave Voice on.

### [System Audio](/content/docs/silkwave-voice/permissions-and-setup#system-audio/index.html)

Required to capture internal audio directly from applications, browsers, and video calls (Zoom, Teams, YouTube, etc.).

When prompted, click **Allow** to grant system audio access. If you previously denied it, re-enable it from:

**System Settings > Privacy & Security > System Audio Recording Only** and toggle Silkwave Voice on.

System Audio capture does not require third-party audio loopback drivers. Silkwave Voice uses native macOS APIs to capture internal audio directly.

### [Shortcuts Events (for AI Summarization)](/content/docs/silkwave-voice/permissions-and-setup#shortcuts-events-for-ai-summarization/index.html)

Required to run the AI summarization feature via Apple Shortcuts.

1. Open **Settings** in Silkwave Voice and go to the **AI Integration Shortcut** page.
2. In the Setup Status checklist, click **Grant Access** next to "Shortcuts Events permission" to allow Silkwave Voice to run Shortcuts.
3. If you previously denied it, navigate to **System Settings > Privacy & Security > Automation** and enable Silkwave Voice.

If you run into any issues with permissions, reach out to us at [silkwave.ai/support](/content/support/index.html).

### Additional Resources

[Introduction](/content/docs/silkwave-voice/index.html) - Your on-device audio recording and transcription app for macOS.

[Managing Languages](/content/docs/silkwave-voice/managing-languages/index.html) - Install and manage language packs for on-device transcription.