Voice to Text for Draw.io
Diagramming is visual work. But every shape you create needs a label. Every architecture decision needs documentation. Every flowchart requires clear annotations. Typing these descriptions while you're thinking spatially breaks your flow. Blurt lets you speak directly into Draw.io. Hold a button, describe your shape or add your annotation, release. Text appears instantly. Your hands stay on the diagram, your mind stays on the architecture.
The Typing Problem
Labeling shapes interrupts your architectural thinking
You're mapping out a complex microservices architecture. Boxes represent services, arrows show data flow. But every time you add a shape, you need to type its name and description. 'User Authentication Service' here, 'Rate Limiter' there. The constant context switching between visual layout and text entry fragments your thinking. The architecture in your head gets lost in the typing.
Technical annotations take longer to type than to think
You know exactly what this database connection does. 'PostgreSQL primary with read replicas, 5 second replication lag, connection pooling via PgBouncer.' Saying it takes 5 seconds. Typing it takes a minute. So you write abbreviated notes that don't capture the full context, and six months later nobody remembers what 'PG-RP-5s-PgB' meant.
Documentation gets skipped because typing is exhausting
The diagram is done. It clearly shows the system architecture. But it needs documentation. Decision rationale, implementation notes, integration requirements. You know exactly what to write, but after an hour of detailed diagram work, typing out paragraphs of explanation feels like a second job. The documentation never gets written.
Flowchart descriptions slow down process mapping
You're documenting a business process. Each decision diamond needs conditions. Each process step needs instructions. 'If customer tier is premium and order value exceeds $500, route to priority fulfillment queue.' These descriptions are essential for the flowchart to be useful. But typing them all is a tedious slog that makes process documentation something everyone avoids.
Real-time collaboration suffers from slow text entry
You're in a shared Draw.io session with your team, mapping out the new system design. Ideas are flowing. Someone suggests a new component. You need to add it to the diagram with proper labels before the conversation moves on. But by the time you've typed the shape name and description, three more ideas have been discussed and lost. Typing can't keep pace with collaborative thinking.
How It Works
Blurt works anywhere you can type in Draw.io. Shape labels, connection annotations, text boxes, comments, and documentation panels. If there's a text cursor, Blurt works.
Click into any text field
Shape label, annotation box, diagram title, comment. Anywhere you'd normally type in Draw.io.
Hold your hotkey and speak
Press your chosen shortcut and describe the label, annotation, or documentation. Blurt handles punctuation automatically.
Release and continue diagramming
Text appears instantly. No delay, no extra steps. Your hands never left the diagram canvas.
Real Scenarios
Architecture diagram annotations
You're documenting your cloud infrastructure. Click the AWS Lambda shape, hold your hotkey, say 'Serverless function handling webhook events from Stripe. Processes payment confirmations and updates order status in DynamoDB. Triggered by API Gateway with 30 second timeout.' Detailed annotation added in seconds. Move to the next component.
Database schema documentation
Your ERD needs field descriptions. Click the Users table, hold and speak: 'Primary user entity. Contains authentication credentials, profile data, and subscription status. References Organization via org_id foreign key. Soft deletes enabled via deleted_at timestamp.' Complete documentation without breaking your database design flow.
Flowchart decision conditions
You're mapping a support ticket workflow. Click the decision diamond, hold your hotkey: 'Check if ticket priority is critical and customer is enterprise tier. If both conditions met, route to senior engineer queue with 15 minute SLA. Otherwise, add to standard queue.' Complex routing logic documented at speaking speed.
Network topology labels
Your network diagram needs device specifications. Click the router icon, hold and speak: 'Cisco ASR 9000 series core router. BGP peering with upstream providers. Handles 40 Gbps aggregate throughput. Configured with OSPF for internal routing.' Technical details captured without hunting for the specification document.
Sequence diagram message descriptions
You're documenting an API flow. Click the message arrow, hold your hotkey: 'POST request to /api/orders containing cart items, shipping address, and payment token. Returns order ID and estimated delivery date on success. Triggers inventory reservation in background.' Each interaction fully described as fast as you can speak.
System context diagrams
You're creating a C4 context diagram. Click the external system box, hold and speak: 'Third-party payment processor. Handles credit card tokenization and recurring billing. PCI DSS compliant. Connected via REST API with webhook callbacks for transaction events.' Context and integration details added in one breath.
Process improvement notes
During a process review, you identify bottlenecks. Click to add a note, hold your hotkey: 'This manual approval step adds 2 days average delay. Consider automating with rule-based approval for orders under $1000. Estimated time savings of 4 hours per week.' Process improvement insights captured in real-time before the observation fades.
Why diagrammers choose Blurt over built-in dictation for Draw.io work
| Blurt | macOS Dictation | |
|---|---|---|
| Activation | Single customizable hotkey | Double-tap Fn or click microphone |
| Response time | Text appears in under 500ms | 2-3 second delay, sometimes fails silently |
| Technical vocabulary | Handles 'PostgreSQL', 'Kubernetes', 'microservices' correctly | Struggles with technical and architecture terms |
| Workflow integration | Works without disrupting Draw.io focus | System UI appears, breaks concentration |
| Reliability | Consistent transcription quality | Inconsistent, requires retries |
Frequently Asked Questions
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