> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.pro.commure.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Dot Phrases

> Set up voice triggers that automatically expand into predefined text in your generated notes on the web portal.

Dot Phrases let you create voice shortcuts that expand into longer text during note generation. When the AI detects your spoken trigger word during a recording, it automatically inserts the corresponding expanded phrase into the note.

## How It Works

A dot phrase pairs a **short audio cue** with a **predefined expanded phrase**.

**Example:**

* You say: **"belly"**
* The note writes: **"abdomen"**

Dot phrases are ideal for frequently used clinical shorthand, normal findings, or reusable text blocks.

## Creating a Dot Phrase

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open AI Studio">
    Click **AI Studio** in the top navigation bar, then select **Dot Phrases** from the sidebar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start a new dot phrase">
    Click **+ New Dot Phrase**. The creation form opens with three fields.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter the audio trigger">
    In the **Audio Trigger** field, enter the spoken phrase the AI should listen for during the encounter.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter the expanded phrase">
    In the **Expanded Phrase** field, enter the full text to insert into the note (up to 2,000 characters). A character counter displays below the field.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Assign to a template">
    Use the **Apply to Template** dropdown to select which templates this dot phrase applies to. The default is **All Templates**. You can also assign it to a single specific template to prevent the phrase from triggering in unrelated note types.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save">
    Click **Save Dot Phrase** to confirm. The dot phrase is active for all future recordings using the assigned template.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Expanded Phrase Formatting

The expanded phrase field supports several formatting options to create structured content:

* **Line breaks** — use `<br>` to insert line breaks within the expanded text
* **Headings** — use `###` markers to create section headings
* **Placeholders** — use `[[Insert Text]]` to mark areas where the AI should dynamically insert content based on the encounter
* **Smart tokens** — use tokens like `{home}` or `{snf}` to insert conditional content based on what is discussed during the visit (e.g., patient disposition)

## Managing Dot Phrases

From the Dot Phrases list, click any existing phrase to edit its audio trigger, expanded phrase, or template assignment. To remove a dot phrase, open it and click **Delete**.

<Warning>
  Deleting a dot phrase is irreversible. Removed phrases cannot be recovered and must be recreated from scratch.
</Warning>

## Best Practices

* **Use multi-syllable triggers** — short words like "a," "no," or "the" may trigger false positives
* **Be distinctive** — choose triggers that are unlikely to appear in normal conversation
* **Test before relying on them** — generate a test note to verify the phrase expands correctly

<Note>
  Dot phrase changes apply to future notes only. Existing notes are not affected.
</Note>

<Note>
  For longer reusable content that is inserted into a specific note section, consider using Macros in *[Custom Formatting](/classic/ambient_ai/custom-formatting)* instead.
</Note>

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="AI Studio" icon="sliders" href="/classic/ambient_ai/ai-studio">
    Return to AI Studio to configure other note generation settings.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Custom Formatting" icon="pen-ruler" href="/classic/ambient_ai/custom-formatting">
    Set per-template rules for tone, structure, and section formatting.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>