> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.sterlinglabs.co/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.sterlinglabs.co/the-analyst/voice-guide.md).

# The Voice Guide

The Voice Guide is a spoken assistant for the app itself. Ask it where something is, and it takes you there, points at it, and can press it for you. It answers questions about how Sterling works, reads what is on your screen, and runs guided tours.

The Voice Guide is separate from the [Analyst](/the-analyst/analyst.md). The Analyst researches markets; the Guide helps you use Sterling.

## Starting a session

Select **Guide** in the top bar. The panel opens, reads **Connecting to your guide…**, then **Listening…** once your microphone is live. Your browser asks for microphone permission the first time.

The Voice Guide is available to every signed-in account, on or off a plan. Visitors who are not signed in can try it with a limited number of turns.

## Talking to it

* **Hold to talk.** Hold the **Hold to talk** control, or hold the space bar, while you speak. Release to send.
* **Hands-free.** Select **Switch to hands-free** to let the Guide listen continuously. **Switch to push-to-talk** returns to holding.
* **Speech speed** and **Input device** adjust how fast the Guide speaks and which microphone it uses.
* **Minimize** keeps the session running while you work. **End session** stops it.

## What it can do

* **Answer** questions about Sterling: what a page is for, what a figure means, where a control lives.
* **Navigate** to a page when you ask for it.
* **Spotlight** a control or a region so you can see what it means.
* **Press** controls for you, and set filters or type where you ask.
* **Read** what is on screen: counts, the current selection, the top items in a list. It reads only what you can already see.
* **Run a tour** of a feature: it shows one thing, explains it, and moves to the next step, one action at a time.

## What it will not do

* Press anything that commits to an action: buy, sell, submit, pay, delete, post, sign out.
* Press controls that are disabled or lead outside Sterling.
* Read or spotlight sample data on a page your plan has locked. It navigates there, but the blurred preview stays private.

## If something goes wrong

| Message                        | What to do                                                                       |
| ------------------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Microphone is blocked**      | Allow microphone access for app.sterlinglabs.co in your browser's site settings. |
| **No microphone found**        | Connect a microphone and choose it under **Input device**.                       |
| **Your microphone is busy**    | Close the other application using it.                                            |
| **Connection lost**            | Select **Reconnect**.                                                            |
| **You've hit the guide limit** | The session budget for visitors is used up. Sign in for full access.             |


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