diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index c6f68ea..4b42583 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ just the Python standard library and PyQt6.
 sudo pacman -S --needed pipewire-audio wl-clipboard ydotool ffmpeg python-pyqt6
 systemctl --user enable --now ydotool     # needed for auto-paste
 
-./install.sh                 # or:  ./install.sh "Ctrl+Alt+Space"
+./install.sh                 # or:  ./install.sh "Meta+Space" "Meta+Shift+Space"
 dikte                        # the settings window opens on first run
 ```
 
@@ -36,8 +36,10 @@ tools instead:
 sudo apt install pulseaudio-utils xclip xdotool ffmpeg
 ```
 
-`install.sh` adds the `dikte` command, a menu entry and an autostart entry. The
-settings window installs a GNOME or KDE global shortcut.
+`install.sh` adds the `dikte` command, a menu entry, an autostart entry and the
+two global shortcuts, whose keys are its two arguments. `./update.sh` pulls and
+puts all of that back, keeping the keys you chose; `./uninstall.sh` takes it away
+again and leaves your settings and dictations alone unless you pass `--purge`.
 
 Three keys go in the settings window: **OpenAI**, **Groq** and **OpenRouter**.
 Speech to text runs on any of them (`gpt-4o-transcribe` by default), cleanup
@@ -53,7 +55,7 @@ set next to it.
 | What | How |
 | --- | --- |
 | Start / stop recording | `Ctrl+Space`, or click the tray icon |
-| Cancel a recording | Tray menu → *Cancel recording*, or `dikte cancel` |
+| Discard the recording | `Ctrl+Alt+Space`, tray menu, or `dikte cancel` |
 | Speak a command to an agent | Tray menu → *Ask Claude*, or `dikte ask` |
 | Start / end a meeting | Tray menu → *Record a meeting*, or `dikte meeting` |
 | Settings | Tray menu → *Settings*, or `dikte settings` |
@@ -127,11 +129,11 @@ running.
   right-click to delete.
 - **Turkish and English interface**, following the system locale by default.
 
-## The global shortcut needs one logout
+## The global shortcuts need one logout
 
-KWin only reads `kglobalshortcutsrc` at startup, so the shortcut `install.sh`
+KWin only reads `kglobalshortcutsrc` at startup, so the shortcuts `install.sh`
 writes will not fire until you log out and back in. Until then, Settings →
-Shortcut → **built-in listener** reads `/dev/input` and catches the combination
+Shortcuts → **built-in listener** reads `/dev/input` and catches the combination
 itself. The difference: it does not swallow the key, so `Ctrl+Space` also reaches
 the focused application (some editors will pop up autocomplete). The listener
 needs your user in the `input` group: `sudo usermod -aG input $USER`.
diff --git a/README.tr.md b/README.tr.md
index de07629..97b007d 100644
--- a/README.tr.md
+++ b/README.tr.md
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ sadece Python standart kütüphanesi ve PyQt6.
 sudo pacman -S --needed pipewire-audio wl-clipboard ydotool ffmpeg python-pyqt6
 systemctl --user enable --now ydotool     # otomatik yapıştırma için
 
-./install.sh                 # ya da:  ./install.sh "Ctrl+Alt+Space"
+./install.sh                 # ya da:  ./install.sh "Meta+Space" "Meta+Shift+Space"
 dikte                        # ilk açılışta ayarlar penceresi gelir
 ```
 
@@ -36,8 +36,11 @@ araçlarıyla çalışır:
 sudo apt install pulseaudio-utils xclip xdotool ffmpeg
 ```
 
-`install.sh` `dikte` komutunu, menü girdisini ve oturum açılışında otomatik
-başlatmayı kurar. Ayarlar penceresi GNOME veya KDE global kısayolunu kurar.
+`install.sh` `dikte` komutunu, menü girdisini, oturum açılışında otomatik
+başlatmayı ve iki global kısayolu kurar; tuşları da iki argümanı. `./update.sh`
+son sürümü çeker ve bunları senin seçtiğin tuşlarla yerine koyar;
+`./uninstall.sh` hepsini geri alır, `--purge` demedikçe ayarlarına ve
+diktelerine dokunmaz.
 
 Ayarlar penceresinde üç anahtar istenir: **OpenAI**, **Groq** ve **OpenRouter**.
 Sesi yazıya çevirme üçünden birinde çalışır (varsayılan `gpt-4o-transcribe`),
@@ -53,7 +56,7 @@ yapıştırılır; modelin yanındaki kutudan düşünme seviyesini de seçebili
 | Ne | Nasıl |
 | --- | --- |
 | Kaydı başlat / bitir | `Ctrl+Space`, ya da tepsi simgesine tıkla |
-| Kaydı iptal et | Tepsi menüsü → *Kaydı iptal et*, ya da `dikte cancel` |
+| Kaydı iptal et | `Ctrl+Alt+Space`, tepsi menüsü, ya da `dikte cancel` |
 | Ajana sesle komut ver | Tepsi menüsü → *Claude'a sor*, ya da `dikte ask` |
 | Toplantıyı başlat / bitir | Tepsi menüsü → *Toplantı kaydet*, ya da `dikte meeting` |
 | Ayarlar | Tepsi menüsü → *Ayarlar*, ya da `dikte settings` |
@@ -125,11 +128,11 @@ olmasını ister.
   silebilirsin.
 - **Türkçe ve İngilizce arayüz**, varsayılan olarak sistem dilini izler.
 
-## Global kısayol için bir kez oturum kapatmak gerekir
+## Global kısayollar için bir kez oturum kapatmak gerekir
 
 KWin `kglobalshortcutsrc` dosyasını yalnızca açılışta okur, yani `install.sh`'ın
-yazdığı kısayol oturumu yeniden açana kadar tetiklenmez. O zamana kadar Ayarlar →
-Kısayol → **yerleşik dinleyici** `/dev/input` üzerinden kombinasyonu kendisi
+yazdığı kısayollar oturumu yeniden açana kadar tetiklenmez. O zamana kadar Ayarlar →
+Kısayollar → **yerleşik dinleyici** `/dev/input` üzerinden kombinasyonu kendisi
 yakalar. Tek farkı: tuşu yutmaz, yani `Ctrl+Space` odaktaki uygulamaya da iletilir
 (bazı editörlerde otomatik tamamlama açılabilir). Dinleyici kullanıcının `input`
 grubunda olmasını gerektirir: `sudo usermod -aG input $USER`.
diff --git a/cli.py b/cli.py
index b62047d..d907537 100644
--- a/cli.py
+++ b/cli.py
@@ -44,14 +44,6 @@ GUI_VERBS = {"", "settings", "toggle", "ask", "meeting"}
 IDEMPOTENT_VERBS = {"cancel", "stop", "quit", "restart", "ask-cancel",
                     "ask-reset", "meeting-cancel"}
 
-# Which desktop entry, name and setting belong to each of the three shortcuts.
-SHORTCUTS = {
-    "toggle": (hotkey.DESKTOP_ID, "Dikte: start/stop recording", "shortcut"),
-    "ask": (hotkey.ASK_DESKTOP_ID, "Dikte: ask Claude Code", "assistant_shortcut"),
-    "meeting": (hotkey.MEETING_DESKTOP_ID, "Dikte: start/end a meeting recording",
-                "meeting_shortcut"),
-}
-
 _app = None
 
 
@@ -705,9 +697,9 @@ def cmd_shortcut(opts):
     conf = cfg.Config()
     if opts.shortcut == "status":
         rows = {}
-        for name, (desktop_id, _label, key) in SHORTCUTS.items():
-            rows[name] = {"registered": hotkey.shortcut_status(desktop_id),
-                          "configured": conf[key]}
+        for name, spec in hotkey.SHORTCUTS.items():
+            rows[name] = {"registered": hotkey.shortcut_status(spec.desktop_id),
+                          "configured": conf[spec.setting]}
         lines = [f"{name:8} {row['registered'] or '(not installed)':16} "
                  f"setting: {row['configured'] or '(none)'}"
                  for name, row in rows.items()]
@@ -715,28 +707,29 @@ def cmd_shortcut(opts):
         return out(opts, {"ok": True, "shortcuts": rows,
                           "listener": conf["evdev_hotkey"]}, "\n".join(lines))
 
-    desktop_id, label, key = SHORTCUTS[opts.which]
+    spec = hotkey.SHORTCUTS[opts.which]
     if opts.shortcut == "remove":
-        hotkey.remove_shortcut(desktop_id)
+        hotkey.remove_shortcut(spec.desktop_id)
         return out(opts, {"ok": True, "removed": opts.which},
                    f"Removed the {opts.which} shortcut.")
 
-    combo = (opts.combo or conf[key] or ("Ctrl+Space" if opts.which == "toggle" else "")).strip()
+    combo = (opts.combo or conf[spec.setting] or spec.fallback).strip()
     if not combo:
         return fail(opts, "no combination given and none stored; pass --combo", 2)
     if hotkey.parse_shortcut(combo) == (None, None):
         return fail(opts, f"cannot parse that combination: {combo}", 2)
-    clashes = hotkey.conflicting_shortcuts(combo, desktop_id)
+    clashes = hotkey.conflicting_shortcuts(combo, spec.desktop_id)
     if clashes and not opts.force:
         return fail(opts, f"{combo} is also used by: {', '.join(clashes[:6])}. "
                           "Pass --force to install it anyway.", 1, conflicts=clashes)
 
     ok, message = hotkey.install_shortcut(
-        combo, ipc.command_for(opts.which), name=label, desktop_id=desktop_id,
+        combo, ipc.command_for(spec.verb), name=spec.name,
+        desktop_id=spec.desktop_id,
     )
     if not ok:
         return fail(opts, message)
-    conf[key] = combo
+    conf[spec.setting] = combo
     try:
         conf.save()
     except OSError as exc:
@@ -1001,19 +994,20 @@ def build_parser():
     test.set_defaults(func=cmd_test_key)
     leaf(subs, "doctor", "keys, programs, and what is missing").set_defaults(func=cmd_doctor)
 
-    shortcut = leaf(subs, "shortcut", "the KDE global shortcuts")
+    shortcut = leaf(subs, "shortcut", "the desktop's global shortcuts")
     inner = shortcut.add_subparsers(dest="shortcut", metavar="")
     shortcut.set_defaults(func=_needs_subcommand(shortcut))
     leaf(inner, "status", "what is registered").set_defaults(func=cmd_shortcut)
     install = leaf(inner, "install", "register one")
     install.add_argument("which", nargs="?", default="toggle",
-                         choices=tuple(SHORTCUTS))
+                         choices=tuple(hotkey.SHORTCUTS))
     install.add_argument("--combo", help="e.g. Ctrl+Alt+Space")
     install.add_argument("--force", action="store_true",
                          help="install it even if something else uses it")
     install.set_defaults(func=cmd_shortcut)
     remove = leaf(inner, "remove", "unregister one")
-    remove.add_argument("which", nargs="?", default="toggle", choices=tuple(SHORTCUTS))
+    remove.add_argument("which", nargs="?", default="toggle",
+                        choices=tuple(hotkey.SHORTCUTS))
     remove.set_defaults(func=cmd_shortcut)
 
     # --- the application --------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/config.py b/config.py
index 1febe84..6d052b0 100644
--- a/config.py
+++ b/config.py
@@ -389,6 +389,10 @@ DEFAULTS = {
     "min_voiced_seconds": 0.3,
     "filter_hallucinations": True,
     "shortcut": "Ctrl+Space",
+    # Ctrl+Alt+Space rather than Escape: the combination the recording started
+    # with, one modifier along. Escape belongs to whatever window has focus, and
+    # while you are dictating something else usually has it.
+    "cancel_shortcut": "Ctrl+Alt+Space",
     "evdev_hotkey": False,
     "overlay_corner": "bottom-left",
     "keep_audio": False,
diff --git a/dikte.py b/dikte.py
index cc17c6c..1e2bfc4 100755
--- a/dikte.py
+++ b/dikte.py
@@ -152,8 +152,10 @@ class Dikte:
         self.ask_cancel_action.setEnabled(False)
         self.menu.addAction(self.ask_cancel_action)
 
-        self.cancel_action = QAction(t("Cancel recording"), self.menu)
-        self.cancel_action.triggered.connect(self.cancel)
+        self.cancel_action = QAction(t("Discard the recording"), self.menu)
+        # The inner method, so that a menu click is never mistaken for the KDE
+        # shortcut echoing the built-in listener's press.
+        self.cancel_action.triggered.connect(self._cancel)
         self.cancel_action.setEnabled(False)
         self.menu.addAction(self.cancel_action)
         self.menu.addSeparator()
@@ -306,6 +308,9 @@ class Dikte:
     def toggle_meeting(self):
         self._external("meeting", self._toggle_meeting)
 
+    def cancel(self):
+        self._external("cancel", self._cancel)
+
     def _external(self, name, handler):
         # The built-in listener sees the key press the instant it happens, so a
         # toggle arriving right behind one is the KDE shortcut catching up on
@@ -323,7 +328,8 @@ class Dikte:
         if timer is None:
             timer = self.last_evdev[name] = QElapsedTimer()
         timer.restart()
-        handlers = {"meeting": self._toggle_meeting, "ask": self._toggle_ask}
+        handlers = {"meeting": self._toggle_meeting, "ask": self._toggle_ask,
+                    "cancel": self._cancel}
         handlers.get(name, self._toggle)()
 
     def _retire_listener(self):
@@ -516,7 +522,7 @@ class Dikte:
         self.ask_overlay.show_busy(t("Transcribing…"))
         self.recorder.stop()
 
-    def cancel(self):
+    def _cancel(self):
         """Throw away whichever recording is running."""
         if not self.recording:
             return
@@ -540,7 +546,7 @@ class Dikte:
     def cancel_ask(self):
         """Call off the agent, whether it is still recording or already working."""
         if self.ask_state == RECORDING:
-            self.cancel()
+            self._cancel()
         elif self.ask_state == BUSY:
             self.ask_overlay.show_busy(t("Stopping…"))
             self.ask_pipeline.cancel()
@@ -788,10 +794,7 @@ class Dikte:
 
     def open_settings(self):
         if self.settings_window is None:
-            self.settings_window = SettingsWindow(
-                self.conf, launch_command(), meeting_command(), self.meetings,
-                ask_command(),
-            )
+            self.settings_window = SettingsWindow(self.conf, self.meetings)
             self.settings_window.applied.connect(self._apply_settings)
             self.settings_window.finished.connect(self._settings_closed)
         self.settings_window.show()
@@ -808,9 +811,8 @@ class Dikte:
         self._build_tray()
         self._refresh_tray()
         if self.conf["evdev_hotkey"]:
-            self.evdev.start({"toggle": self.conf["shortcut"],
-                              "ask": self.conf["assistant_shortcut"],
-                              "meeting": self.conf["meeting_shortcut"]})
+            self.evdev.start({name: self.conf[spec.setting]
+                              for name, spec in hotkey.SHORTCUTS.items()})
         else:
             self.evdev.stop()
 
@@ -849,19 +851,6 @@ def _clock(seconds):
             else f"{minutes}:{secs:02d}")
 
 
-def launch_command():
-    """The command the KDE shortcut will run."""
-    return ipc.command_for("toggle")
-
-
-def meeting_command():
-    return ipc.command_for("meeting")
-
-
-def ask_command():
-    return ipc.command_for("ask")
-
-
 def main():
     argv = sys.argv[1:]
     # Anything typed at a terminal is the command line's business, including
diff --git a/hotkey.py b/hotkey.py
index b6b3ed1..f71de71 100644
--- a/hotkey.py
+++ b/hotkey.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 """GNOME/KDE global-shortcut installation plus a built-in evdev listener."""
 
 import ast
+import collections
 import glob
 import os
 import pathlib
@@ -16,6 +17,7 @@ from PyQt6.QtCore import QObject, pyqtSignal
 from i18n import t
 
 DESKTOP_ID = "dikte-toggle.desktop"
+CANCEL_DESKTOP_ID = "dikte-cancel.desktop"
 MEETING_DESKTOP_ID = "dikte-meeting.desktop"
 ASK_DESKTOP_ID = "dikte-ask.desktop"
 APPLICATIONS_DIR = pathlib.Path.home() / ".local/share/applications"
@@ -24,6 +26,25 @@ SHORTCUTS_FILE = pathlib.Path.home() / ".config/kglobalshortcutsrc"
 GNOME_MEDIA_SCHEMA = "org.gnome.settings-daemon.plugins.media-keys"
 GNOME_BINDING_SCHEMA = "org.gnome.settings-daemon.plugins.media-keys.custom-keybinding"
 
+Shortcut = collections.namedtuple("Shortcut", "verb desktop_id name setting fallback")
+
+# Every global shortcut in one place, because there are four of them and the
+# command line, the settings window and the installer each used to carry their
+# own copy of the list. `fallback` is what to register when the setting is
+# empty: only the toggle has one, since it is the key the application is
+# unusable without.
+SHORTCUTS = {
+    "toggle": Shortcut("toggle", DESKTOP_ID, "Dikte: start/stop recording",
+                       "shortcut", "Ctrl+Space"),
+    "cancel": Shortcut("cancel", CANCEL_DESKTOP_ID, "Dikte: discard the recording",
+                       "cancel_shortcut", ""),
+    "ask": Shortcut("ask", ASK_DESKTOP_ID, "Dikte: ask Claude Code",
+                    "assistant_shortcut", ""),
+    "meeting": Shortcut("meeting", MEETING_DESKTOP_ID,
+                        "Dikte: start/end a meeting recording",
+                        "meeting_shortcut", ""),
+}
+
 # --- evdev key codes (linux/input-event-codes.h) --------------------------
 
 EV_KEY = 0x01
@@ -371,14 +392,18 @@ def remove_kde_shortcut(desktop_id=DESKTOP_ID):
         (APPLICATIONS_DIR / desktop_id).unlink(missing_ok=True)
     except OSError:
         pass
-    try:
-        subprocess.run(
-            ["kwriteconfig6", "--notify", "--file", "kglobalshortcutsrc",
-             "--group", "services", "--group", desktop_id, "--key", "_launch", "--delete"],
-            capture_output=True, timeout=10,
-        )
-    except (subprocess.SubprocessError, OSError):
-        pass
+    # kwriteconfig6 deletes keys rather than groups, so both of the ones KDE
+    # keeps in there go and the empty group is left behind harmlessly.
+    for key in ("_launch", "_k_friendly_name"):
+        try:
+            subprocess.run(
+                ["kwriteconfig6", "--notify", "--file", "kglobalshortcutsrc",
+                 "--group", "services", "--group", desktop_id,
+                 "--key", key, "--delete"],
+                capture_output=True, timeout=10,
+            )
+        except (subprocess.SubprocessError, OSError):
+            pass
 
 
 def kde_shortcut_status(desktop_id=DESKTOP_ID):
diff --git a/i18n.py b/i18n.py
index 83e06ad..7466143 100644
--- a/i18n.py
+++ b/i18n.py
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ TR = {
     "Start recording": "Kaydı başlat",
     "Stop and transcribe": "Kaydı bitir ve yaz",
     "Working…": "İşleniyor…",
-    "Cancel recording": "Kaydı iptal et",
+    "Discard the recording": "Kaydı iptal et",
     "Settings…": "Ayarlar…",
     "Restart": "Yeniden başlat",
     "Quit": "Çık",
@@ -133,6 +133,7 @@ TR = {
     "Cleanup rules": "Temizleme kuralları",
     "Audio file": "Ses dosyası",
     "Shortcut": "Kısayol",
+    "Shortcuts": "Kısayollar",
     "History": "Geçmiş",
     "Save": "Kaydet",
     "Saved successfully.": "Başarıyla kaydedildi.",
@@ -282,6 +283,13 @@ TR = {
         "Global kısayol kurulu değil. Toplantı tepsi menüsünden de başlatılabilir.",
     "No global shortcut installed. The tray menu asks it too.":
         "Global kısayol kurulu değil. Tepsi menüsünden de soru sorulabilir.",
+    "No global shortcut installed. The tray menu discards it too.":
+        "Global kısayol kurulu değil. Kayıt tepsi menüsünden de iptal edilebilir.",
+    "Start and stop": "Başlat ve bitir",
+    "Throws the recording away without transcribing it. Works on a dictation "
+    "and on a command for the agent alike, whichever is running.":
+        "Kaydı yazıya dökmeden atar. Hangisi çalışıyorsa ona işler: dikteye de, "
+        "ajana verilen komuta da.",
     "Shortcut saved: {shortcut}": "Kısayol kaydedildi: {shortcut}",
     "Could not register the GNOME shortcut: {error}":
         "GNOME kısayolu kaydedilemedi: {error}",
diff --git a/install.sh b/install.sh
index 2cbaaee..79a666d 100755
--- a/install.sh
+++ b/install.sh
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env bash
-# Dikte installer: dependency check, launchers, KDE shortcut.
+# Dikte installer: dependency check, launchers, global shortcuts.
 set -euo pipefail
 
 DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")" && pwd)"
@@ -8,6 +8,9 @@ BIN_DIR="$HOME/.local/bin"
 APP_DIR="$HOME/.local/share/applications"
 AUTOSTART_DIR="$HOME/.config/autostart"
 SHORTCUT="${1:-Ctrl+Space}"
+# Without the colon, so that a second argument given as "" stays empty. That is
+# how update.sh says "this one was turned off", as against not saying anything.
+CANCEL_SHORTCUT="${2-Ctrl+Alt+Space}"
 
 say()  { printf '  %s\n' "$1"; }
 ok()   { printf '  \033[32m✓\033[0m %s\n' "$1"; }
@@ -88,30 +91,43 @@ StartupNotify=false
 EOF
 ok "Will start automatically on login"
 
-# 4. KDE global shortcut ---------------------------------------------------
-cat > "$APP_DIR/dikte-toggle.desktop" <<EOF
-[Desktop Entry]
-Exec=$PY $DIR/dikte.py toggle
-Name=Dikte: start/stop recording
-NoDisplay=true
-StartupNotify=false
-Type=Application
-X-KDE-GlobalAccel-CommandShortcut=true
-EOF
+# 4. Global shortcuts ------------------------------------------------------
+# Two of them: one to start and stop, one to throw the recording away. The
+# second is worth a key of its own because stopping is the step there is no
+# taking back, being what sends the audio off to be transcribed.
+#
+# Dikte registers them rather than this script writing the files itself: it
+# knows which desktop it is on, and it stores the combination in the settings
+# as well, which is where the built-in listener reads it from. A key written
+# to only one of the two places is a key that half works.
+if [[ "$SHORTCUT" == "$CANCEL_SHORTCUT" ]]; then
+  warn "Both arguments are $SHORTCUT, so the discard key was left out."
+  say  "Pass two different combinations, or set it in Settings → Shortcuts."
+  CANCEL_SHORTCUT=""
+fi
 
-if [[ "${XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP:-}" == *GNOME* || "${XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP:-}" == *gnome* ]]; then
-  ok "GNOME detected"
-  say "Open Dikte Settings > Shortcut to install the global shortcut."
-elif command -v kwriteconfig6 >/dev/null; then
-  kwriteconfig6 --notify --file kglobalshortcutsrc \
-    --group services --group dikte-toggle.desktop \
-    --key _launch "$SHORTCUT"
-  ok "KDE shortcut registered: $SHORTCUT"
-  warn "KWin only reads this at startup, so the shortcut goes live after your"
-  say  "next login. Until then open Settings → Shortcut and turn on the"
-  say  "built-in listener to use it right away."
+register() {   # which  combination  label
+  if out="$("$PY" "$DIR/dikte.py" shortcut install "$1" --combo "$2" 2>&1)"; then
+    ok "$3: $2"
+  else
+    # One line: the rest of what it has to say about KWin is printed below.
+    warn "${out%%$'\n'*}"
+  fi
+}
+
+if python3 -c 'import PyQt6.QtWidgets' 2>/dev/null; then
+  register toggle "$SHORTCUT" "Start and stop"
+  if [[ -n "$CANCEL_SHORTCUT" ]]; then
+    register cancel "$CANCEL_SHORTCUT" "Discard the recording"
+  fi
+  if [[ "${XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP:-}" != *[Gg][Nn][Oo][Mm][Ee]* ]]; then
+    warn "KWin only reads these at startup, so they go live after your next"
+    say  "login. Until then open Settings → Shortcuts and turn on the"
+    say  "built-in listener to use them right away."
+  fi
 else
-  warn "No supported shortcut manager found. Add the shortcut in desktop settings."
+  warn "PyQt6 is missing, so no shortcut was registered. Install it, then run:"
+  say  "dikte shortcut install toggle --combo '$SHORTCUT'"
 fi
 
 echo
diff --git a/settings_ui.py b/settings_ui.py
index 2bf1a9e..3a36c7c 100644
--- a/settings_ui.py
+++ b/settings_ui.py
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ import audio
 import config as cfg
 import filetranscribe
 import hotkey
+import ipc
 import meeting
 from filetranscribe import FileTranscriber
 from i18n import t
@@ -92,9 +93,9 @@ REASONING_LEVELS = [
     ("Very high", "xhigh"), ("Maximum", "max"),
 ]
 PASTE_SHORTCUTS = ["ctrl+v", "ctrl+shift+v", "shift+insert"]
-# Offered for all three global shortcuts, which keeps them one kind of field
-# rather than three. The boxes stay editable: this is a shortlist of
-# combinations that are usually free, not the set of ones that work.
+# Offered for every global shortcut, which keeps them one kind of field rather
+# than four. The boxes stay editable: this is a shortlist of combinations that
+# are usually free, not the set of ones that work.
 SHORTCUTS = [
     "Ctrl+Space", "Ctrl+Alt+Space", "Ctrl+Shift+Space", "Meta+Space",
     "Ctrl+Alt+A", "Ctrl+Alt+D", "Ctrl+Alt+M", "Ctrl+Alt+Q",
@@ -113,14 +114,15 @@ class SettingsWindow(QDialog):
     # Which key was tested, whether it worked, and what to write under it.
     _test_done = pyqtSignal(str, bool, str)
 
-    def __init__(self, conf, launch_command, meeting_command=None,
-                 meetings=None, ask_command=None, parent=None):
+    def __init__(self, conf, meetings=None, parent=None):
         super().__init__(parent)
         self.conf = conf
-        self.launch_command = launch_command
-        self.meeting_command = meeting_command or launch_command
-        self.ask_command = ask_command or launch_command
         self.meetings = meetings
+        # Filled in by _shortcut_row as the tabs are built: which combination
+        # box, status label and "nothing installed" line belong to each of the
+        # global shortcuts. One dictionary is what lets install, remove and the
+        # status line be written once instead of once per key.
+        self._shortcut_rows = {}
         # Each provider keeps its own transcription model, so switching the
         # provider back and forth never overwrites the other one's.
         self._models = dict.fromkeys(cfg.TRANSCRIBERS, "")
@@ -139,7 +141,7 @@ class SettingsWindow(QDialog):
         tabs.addTab(self._meeting_tab(), t("Meeting"))
         tabs.addTab(self._minutes_tab(), t("Minutes"))
         tabs.addTab(self._file_tab(), t("Audio file"))
-        tabs.addTab(self._shortcut_tab(), t("Shortcut"))
+        tabs.addTab(self._shortcut_tab(), t("Shortcuts"))
         tabs.addTab(self._history_tab(), t("History"))
 
         # Save keeps the window open, so the window is closed with the titlebar
@@ -360,16 +362,10 @@ class SettingsWindow(QDialog):
 
         how = QGroupBox(t("How it runs"))
         how_form = QFormLayout(how)
-        self.assistant_shortcut = self._shortcut_box(t("none"))
-        install = QPushButton(t("Install as a KDE shortcut"))
-        install.clicked.connect(self._install_ask_shortcut)
-        remove = QPushButton(t("Remove"))
-        remove.clicked.connect(self._remove_ask_shortcut)
-        how_form.addRow(t("Shortcut"),
-                        self._row(self.assistant_shortcut, install, remove))
-        self.assistant_shortcut_status = QLabel("")
-        self.assistant_shortcut_status.setWordWrap(True)
-        how_form.addRow(self.assistant_shortcut_status)
+        self._shortcut_row(
+            how_form, "ask", t("Shortcut"),
+            t("No global shortcut installed. The tray menu asks it too."),
+        )
 
         self.assistant_provider = QComboBox()
         for label, value in ASSISTANT_PROVIDERS:
@@ -622,16 +618,10 @@ class SettingsWindow(QDialog):
         ))
         recording_form.addRow("", self.meeting_keep_audio)
 
-        self.meeting_shortcut = self._shortcut_box(t("none"))
-        install = QPushButton(t("Install as a KDE shortcut"))
-        install.clicked.connect(self._install_meeting_shortcut)
-        remove = QPushButton(t("Remove"))
-        remove.clicked.connect(self._remove_meeting_shortcut)
-        recording_form.addRow(t("Shortcut"),
-                              self._row(self.meeting_shortcut, install, remove))
-        self.meeting_shortcut_status = QLabel("")
-        self.meeting_shortcut_status.setWordWrap(True)
-        recording_form.addRow(self.meeting_shortcut_status)
+        self._shortcut_row(
+            recording_form, "meeting", t("Shortcut"),
+            t("No global shortcut installed. The tray menu starts a meeting too."),
+        )
         layout.addWidget(recording)
 
         prompt_label = QLabel(t("System instruction given to the minutes model."))
@@ -772,25 +762,27 @@ class SettingsWindow(QDialog):
     def _shortcut_tab(self):
         page = QWidget()
         layout = QVBoxLayout(page)
+        # Both keys in one form, the way the Meeting and Agent tabs already lay
+        # theirs out. Two forms would give each row a label column of its own,
+        # and two combination boxes starting at different places read as two
+        # unrelated settings rather than the pair they are.
         form = QFormLayout()
-        self.shortcut = self._shortcut_box("Ctrl+Space")
-        form.addRow(t("Shortcut"), self.shortcut)
+        self._shortcut_row(
+            form, "toggle", t("Start and stop"),
+            t("No global shortcut installed."), placeholder="Ctrl+Space",
+        )
+        # Stopping is what sends the recording off to be transcribed, and that
+        # is the step there is no taking back. By the time the tray menu is
+        # open the sentence you did not mean to dictate is already on its way.
+        self._shortcut_row(
+            form, "cancel", t("Discard the recording"),
+            t("No global shortcut installed. The tray menu discards it too."),
+            tooltip=t("Throws the recording away without transcribing it. Works "
+                      "on a dictation and on a command for the agent alike, "
+                      "whichever is running."),
+        )
         layout.addLayout(form)
 
-        install = QPushButton(t("Install as a KDE shortcut"))
-        install.clicked.connect(self._install_shortcut)
-        remove = QPushButton(t("Remove"))
-        remove.clicked.connect(self._remove_shortcut)
-        row = QHBoxLayout()
-        row.addWidget(install)
-        row.addWidget(remove)
-        row.addStretch(1)
-        layout.addLayout(row)
-
-        self.shortcut_status = QLabel("")
-        self.shortcut_status.setWordWrap(True)
-        layout.addWidget(self.shortcut_status)
-
         self.evdev_enabled = QCheckBox(t(
             "Use the built-in listener (/dev/input), for when the KDE shortcut is "
             "not active yet"
@@ -904,6 +896,25 @@ class SettingsWindow(QDialog):
         self._testers[provider] = (button, answer)
         return field
 
+    def _shortcut_row(self, form, which, label, missing, placeholder="",
+                      tooltip=""):
+        """One global shortcut: the combination, Install, Remove, and a line
+        saying what the desktop has registered. `missing` is what that line
+        says when nothing is."""
+        box = self._shortcut_box(placeholder or t("none"))
+        if tooltip:
+            box.setToolTip(tooltip)
+        install = QPushButton(t("Install as a KDE shortcut"))
+        install.clicked.connect(lambda: self._install_shortcut(which))
+        remove = QPushButton(t("Remove"))
+        remove.clicked.connect(lambda: self._remove_shortcut(which))
+        form.addRow(label, self._row(box, install, remove))
+        status = QLabel("")
+        status.setWordWrap(True)
+        form.addRow(status)
+        self._shortcut_rows[which] = (box, status, missing)
+        return box
+
     @staticmethod
     def _row(*widgets):
         """Widgets side by side in one form row; the first one takes the space."""
@@ -947,7 +958,6 @@ class SettingsWindow(QDialog):
         )
         self.transcribe_prompt.setPlainText(conf["transcribe_prompt"])
 
-        self.assistant_shortcut.setCurrentText(conf["assistant_shortcut"])
         self._select_data(self.assistant_provider, conf["assistant_provider"])
         self.assistant_model.setCurrentText(conf["assistant_model"])
         self._select_data(self.assistant_permission, conf["assistant_permission_mode"])
@@ -976,7 +986,6 @@ class SettingsWindow(QDialog):
         self.meeting_cleanup.setChecked(conf["meeting_cleanup"])
         self.meeting_max_minutes.setValue(max(5, int(conf["meeting_max_seconds"]) // 60))
         self.meeting_keep_audio.setChecked(conf["meeting_keep_audio"])
-        self.meeting_shortcut.setCurrentText(conf["meeting_shortcut"])
         self.meeting_prompt.setPlainText(
             conf["meeting_prompt"] or cfg.default_meeting_prompt()
         )
@@ -985,14 +994,14 @@ class SettingsWindow(QDialog):
         self.file_cleanup.setChecked(conf["file_cleanup"])
         self.file_path = ""
 
-        self.shortcut.setCurrentText(conf["shortcut"])
+        for which, (box, _status, _missing) in self._shortcut_rows.items():
+            box.setCurrentText(conf[hotkey.SHORTCUTS[which].setting])
         self.evdev_enabled.setChecked(conf["evdev_hotkey"])
 
         self.history_limit.setValue(max(0, int(conf["history_limit"])))
 
-        self._refresh_shortcut_status()
-        self._refresh_meeting_shortcut_status()
-        self._refresh_ask_shortcut_status()
+        for which in self._shortcut_rows:
+            self._refresh_shortcut_status(which)
         self._refresh_assistant_status()
         self._load_history()
         self._load_minutes()
@@ -1032,7 +1041,6 @@ class SettingsWindow(QDialog):
                                        else file_prompt)
         conf["transcribe_prompt"] = self.transcribe_prompt.toPlainText().strip()
 
-        conf["assistant_shortcut"] = self.assistant_shortcut.currentText().strip()
         conf["assistant_provider"] = self.assistant_provider.currentData() or "claude"
         conf["assistant_model"] = (self.assistant_model.currentText().strip()
                                    or cfg.DEFAULTS["assistant_model"])
@@ -1072,7 +1080,6 @@ class SettingsWindow(QDialog):
         conf["meeting_cleanup"] = self.meeting_cleanup.isChecked()
         conf["meeting_max_seconds"] = self.meeting_max_minutes.value() * 60
         conf["meeting_keep_audio"] = self.meeting_keep_audio.isChecked()
-        conf["meeting_shortcut"] = self.meeting_shortcut.currentText().strip()
         meeting_prompt = self.meeting_prompt.toPlainText().strip()
         conf["meeting_prompt"] = ("" if meeting_prompt == cfg.default_meeting_prompt()
                                   else meeting_prompt)
@@ -1080,7 +1087,12 @@ class SettingsWindow(QDialog):
         conf["file_timestamps"] = self.file_timestamps.isChecked()
         conf["file_cleanup"] = self.file_cleanup.isChecked()
 
-        conf["shortcut"] = self.shortcut.currentText().strip() or "Ctrl+Space"
+        # Left empty, only the toggle falls back to a default: the application
+        # is unusable without it. The other three stay empty, which is what
+        # turns them off.
+        for which, (box, _status, _missing) in self._shortcut_rows.items():
+            spec = hotkey.SHORTCUTS[which]
+            conf[spec.setting] = box.currentText().strip() or spec.fallback
         conf["evdev_hotkey"] = self.evdev_enabled.isChecked()
         conf["history_limit"] = self.history_limit.value()
         conf.save()
@@ -1293,45 +1305,17 @@ class SettingsWindow(QDialog):
         except OSError as exc:
             self.file_status.setText(t("Failed: {error}", error=exc))
 
-    # ---- shortcut --------------------------------------------------------
+    # ---- shortcuts -------------------------------------------------------
 
-    def _install_shortcut(self):
-        combo = self.shortcut.currentText().strip() or "Ctrl+Space"
-        clashes = hotkey.conflicting_shortcuts(combo)
-        if clashes:
-            answer = QMessageBox.question(
-                self, t("Shortcut conflict"),
-                t("{shortcut} is also used by:\n\n{list}\n\nInstall anyway?",
-                  shortcut=combo, list="\n".join(clashes[:6])),
-            )
-            if answer != QMessageBox.StandardButton.Yes:
-                return
-        ok, message = hotkey.install_shortcut(combo, self.launch_command)
-        QMessageBox.information(self, t("Shortcut"), message)
-        if ok:
-            self.conf["shortcut"] = combo
-            self.conf.save()
-        self._refresh_shortcut_status()
-
-    def _remove_shortcut(self):
-        hotkey.remove_shortcut()
-        self._refresh_shortcut_status()
-
-    def _refresh_shortcut_status(self):
-        current = hotkey.shortcut_status()
-        self.shortcut_status.setText(
-            t("Registered in {desktop}: {shortcut}",
-              desktop=hotkey.desktop_name(), shortcut=current) if current
-            else t("No global shortcut installed.")
-        )
-
-    def _install_meeting_shortcut(self):
-        combo = self.meeting_shortcut.currentText().strip()
+    def _install_shortcut(self, which):
+        spec = hotkey.SHORTCUTS[which]
+        box, _status, _missing = self._shortcut_rows[which]
+        combo = box.currentText().strip() or spec.fallback
         if not combo:
             QMessageBox.information(self, t("Shortcut"),
                                     t("Type a key combination first."))
             return
-        clashes = hotkey.conflicting_shortcuts(combo, hotkey.MEETING_DESKTOP_ID)
+        clashes = hotkey.conflicting_shortcuts(combo, spec.desktop_id)
         if clashes:
             answer = QMessageBox.question(
                 self, t("Shortcut conflict"),
@@ -1341,64 +1325,26 @@ class SettingsWindow(QDialog):
             if answer != QMessageBox.StandardButton.Yes:
                 return
         ok, message = hotkey.install_shortcut(
-            combo, self.meeting_command, name="Dikte: start/end a meeting recording",
-            desktop_id=hotkey.MEETING_DESKTOP_ID,
+            combo, ipc.command_for(spec.verb), name=spec.name,
+            desktop_id=spec.desktop_id,
         )
         QMessageBox.information(self, t("Shortcut"), message)
         if ok:
-            self.conf["meeting_shortcut"] = combo
+            self.conf[spec.setting] = combo
             self.conf.save()
-        self._refresh_meeting_shortcut_status()
+        self._refresh_shortcut_status(which)
 
-    def _remove_meeting_shortcut(self):
-        hotkey.remove_shortcut(hotkey.MEETING_DESKTOP_ID)
-        self._refresh_meeting_shortcut_status()
+    def _remove_shortcut(self, which):
+        hotkey.remove_shortcut(hotkey.SHORTCUTS[which].desktop_id)
+        self._refresh_shortcut_status(which)
 
-    def _refresh_meeting_shortcut_status(self):
-        current = hotkey.shortcut_status(hotkey.MEETING_DESKTOP_ID)
-        self.meeting_shortcut_status.setText(
+    def _refresh_shortcut_status(self, which):
+        _box, status, missing = self._shortcut_rows[which]
+        current = hotkey.shortcut_status(hotkey.SHORTCUTS[which].desktop_id)
+        status.setText(
             t("Registered in {desktop}: {shortcut}",
               desktop=hotkey.desktop_name(), shortcut=current) if current
-            else t("No global shortcut installed. The tray menu starts a meeting too.")
-        )
-
-    # ---- Claude ----------------------------------------------------------
-
-    def _install_ask_shortcut(self):
-        combo = self.assistant_shortcut.currentText().strip()
-        if not combo:
-            QMessageBox.information(self, t("Shortcut"),
-                                    t("Type a key combination first."))
-            return
-        clashes = hotkey.conflicting_shortcuts(combo, hotkey.ASK_DESKTOP_ID)
-        if clashes:
-            answer = QMessageBox.question(
-                self, t("Shortcut conflict"),
-                t("{shortcut} is also used by:\n\n{list}\n\nInstall anyway?",
-                  shortcut=combo, list="\n".join(clashes[:6])),
-            )
-            if answer != QMessageBox.StandardButton.Yes:
-                return
-        ok, message = hotkey.install_shortcut(
-            combo, self.ask_command, name="Dikte: ask Claude Code",
-            desktop_id=hotkey.ASK_DESKTOP_ID,
-        )
-        QMessageBox.information(self, t("Shortcut"), message)
-        if ok:
-            self.conf["assistant_shortcut"] = combo
-            self.conf.save()
-        self._refresh_ask_shortcut_status()
-
-    def _remove_ask_shortcut(self):
-        hotkey.remove_shortcut(hotkey.ASK_DESKTOP_ID)
-        self._refresh_ask_shortcut_status()
-
-    def _refresh_ask_shortcut_status(self):
-        current = hotkey.shortcut_status(hotkey.ASK_DESKTOP_ID)
-        self.assistant_shortcut_status.setText(
-            t("Registered in {desktop}: {shortcut}",
-              desktop=hotkey.desktop_name(), shortcut=current) if current
-            else t("No global shortcut installed. The tray menu asks it too.")
+            else missing
         )
 
     def _assistant_provider_changed(self):
diff --git a/tests/test_cli.py b/tests/test_cli.py
index 9a11a46..cb09bc0 100644
--- a/tests/test_cli.py
+++ b/tests/test_cli.py
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ from unittest import mock
 
 import cli
 import config as cfg
+import hotkey
 import ipc
 from tests.support import DikteTest, fake_urlopen
 
@@ -144,6 +145,22 @@ class Parser(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertIsNone(opts.verb)
         self.assertEqual(opts.func, cli.cmd_plain)
 
+    def test_every_global_shortcut_runs_a_verb_that_exists(self):
+        """A shortcut registers a command line; a verb the parser never heard of
+        is a key that does nothing at all when it is pressed."""
+        for name, spec in hotkey.SHORTCUTS.items():
+            with self.subTest(name=name):
+                opts = self.parse(spec.verb)
+                self.assertTrue(callable(opts.func))
+
+    def test_every_shortcut_can_be_installed_and_removed_by_name(self):
+        for name in hotkey.SHORTCUTS:
+            with self.subTest(name=name):
+                self.assertEqual(self.parse("shortcut", "install", name).which,
+                                 name)
+                self.assertEqual(self.parse("shortcut", "remove", name).which,
+                                 name)
+
     def test_every_verb_is_wired_to_something(self):
         for verb in ("record", "toggle", "start", "stop", "cancel", "ask",
                      "session", "transcribe", "meeting", "meetings", "history",
diff --git a/tests/test_hotkey.py b/tests/test_hotkey.py
index 4297724..01ae92d 100644
--- a/tests/test_hotkey.py
+++ b/tests/test_hotkey.py
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import subprocess
 import unittest
 from unittest import mock
 
+import config as cfg
 import hotkey
 from tests.support import DikteTest, FakeCompleted, linux_only
 
@@ -56,6 +57,28 @@ class ParseShortcut(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(hotkey.parse_shortcut(None), (None, None))
 
 
+class Table(unittest.TestCase):
+    """The one list of global shortcuts. The command line, the settings window
+    and install.sh read it instead of keeping a copy each, so what it has to
+    hold together is checked here rather than in three places."""
+
+    def test_every_shortcut_remembers_itself_in_a_real_setting(self):
+        for name, spec in hotkey.SHORTCUTS.items():
+            with self.subTest(name=name):
+                self.assertIn(spec.setting, cfg.DEFAULTS)
+
+    def test_no_two_share_a_desktop_entry(self):
+        ids = [spec.desktop_id for spec in hotkey.SHORTCUTS.values()]
+        self.assertEqual(len(ids), len(set(ids)))
+
+    def test_only_the_toggle_falls_back_to_a_key_of_its_own(self):
+        """The rest are off until you pick one, and emptying the box is how you
+        turn them off again."""
+        self.assertEqual(hotkey.SHORTCUTS["toggle"].fallback, "Ctrl+Space")
+        self.assertEqual([name for name, spec in hotkey.SHORTCUTS.items()
+                          if spec.fallback], ["toggle"])
+
+
 class ModsMatch(unittest.TestCase):
     """The combination has to be exact, or Ctrl+Space fires on Ctrl+Shift+Space."""
 
@@ -122,6 +145,23 @@ class Bindings(DikteTest):
             thread.assert_called_once()
         self.assertEqual(len(listener._bindings[57]), 2)
 
+    def test_starting_and_discarding_do_not_fire_on_each_other(self):
+        """The two defaults are one modifier apart on the same key code, so the
+        modifier set is the only thing keeping them apart."""
+        listener = hotkey.EvdevHotkey()
+        self.addCleanup(listener.stop)
+        with mock.patch.object(listener, "_open_devices", return_value=[99]), \
+                mock.patch.object(hotkey.threading, "Thread"):
+            listener.start({"toggle": "Ctrl+Space", "cancel": "Ctrl+Alt+Space"})
+
+        def fired(held):
+            return [name for mods, name in listener._bindings[57]
+                    if hotkey.EvdevHotkey._mods_match(held, mods)]
+
+        self.assertEqual(fired({29}), ["toggle"])          # ctrl
+        self.assertEqual(fired({29, 56}), ["cancel"])      # ctrl + alt
+        self.assertEqual(fired({29, 42}), [])              # ctrl + shift
+
 
 @linux_only
 class Chooser(DikteTest):
diff --git a/tests/test_ui.py b/tests/test_ui.py
index 5ca37b2..892e736 100644
--- a/tests/test_ui.py
+++ b/tests/test_ui.py
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ from unittest import mock
 from PyQt6.QtWidgets import QApplication, QMessageBox
 
 import config as cfg
+import hotkey
 import overlay as overlay_module
 import settings_ui
 from tests.support import DikteTest, only_these_tools
@@ -76,6 +77,7 @@ CHANGED = {
     "file_timestamps": True,
     "file_cleanup": False,
     "shortcut": "Ctrl+Alt+Space",
+    "cancel_shortcut": "Meta+Shift+Space",
     "evdev_hotkey": True,
     "history_limit": 50,
 }
@@ -98,7 +100,7 @@ class Settings(DikteTest):
                                             self.path("kglobalshortcutsrc")))
 
     def window(self, conf):
-        window = settings_ui.SettingsWindow(conf, "dikte toggle")
+        window = settings_ui.SettingsWindow(conf)
         self.addCleanup(window.deleteLater)
         self.addCleanup(window.close)
         return window
@@ -136,6 +138,37 @@ class Settings(DikteTest):
         self.assertEqual(stored["speech_margin_db"], 15.0)
         self.assertEqual(stored["openrouter_base_url"], "http://localhost:1234/v1")
 
+    def test_every_global_shortcut_has_a_row_of_its_own(self):
+        window = self.window(cfg.Config())
+        self.assertEqual(set(window._shortcut_rows), set(hotkey.SHORTCUTS))
+
+    def test_emptying_a_shortcut_turns_it_off_but_not_the_toggle(self):
+        """The application is unusable without the toggle, so that one box
+        falls back. The rest stay empty, which is how they are switched off."""
+        conf = cfg.Config()
+        window = self.window(conf)
+        for box, _status, _missing in window._shortcut_rows.values():
+            box.setCurrentText("")
+        window._save()
+        self.assertEqual(conf["shortcut"], "Ctrl+Space")
+        self.assertEqual(conf["cancel_shortcut"], "")
+        self.assertEqual(conf["assistant_shortcut"], "")
+        self.assertEqual(conf["meeting_shortcut"], "")
+
+    def test_installing_the_discard_key_writes_its_own_entry(self):
+        conf = cfg.Config()
+        window = self.window(conf)
+        window._shortcut_rows["cancel"][0].setCurrentText("Meta+Shift+Space")
+        with mock.patch.object(settings_ui.hotkey, "install_shortcut",
+                               return_value=(True, "saved")) as install:
+            window._install_shortcut("cancel")
+        combo, command = install.call_args.args
+        self.assertEqual(combo, "Meta+Shift+Space")
+        self.assertTrue(command.endswith(" cancel"))
+        self.assertEqual(install.call_args.kwargs["desktop_id"],
+                         hotkey.CANCEL_DESKTOP_ID)
+        self.assertEqual(conf["cancel_shortcut"], "Meta+Shift+Space")
+
     def test_a_prompt_left_at_its_default_is_stored_as_empty(self):
         """So that switching the interface language switches the prompt too."""
         conf = cfg.Config()
diff --git a/uninstall.sh b/uninstall.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..dfbdaa1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/uninstall.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,154 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# Dikte uninstaller: takes back what install.sh put down, and nothing else
+# unless asked. Your settings and your dictations survive a plain run; --purge
+# is the word that deletes them.
+set -euo pipefail
+
+DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")" && pwd)"
+PY="$(command -v python3 || true)"
+USER_NAME="$(id -un)"
+BIN_DIR="$HOME/.local/bin"
+APP_DIR="$HOME/.local/share/applications"
+AUTOSTART_DIR="$HOME/.config/autostart"
+CONFIG_DIR="${XDG_CONFIG_HOME:-$HOME/.config}/dikte"
+DATA_DIR="${XDG_DATA_HOME:-$HOME/.local/share}/dikte"
+
+PURGE=0
+ASSUME_YES=0
+
+say()  { printf '  %s\n' "$1"; }
+ok()   { printf '  \033[32m✓\033[0m %s\n' "$1"; }
+warn() { printf '  \033[33m!\033[0m %s\n' "$1"; }
+gone() { printf '  \033[90m·\033[0m %s\n' "$1"; }
+# "1 dictation", "3 dictations": how many is the point of printing it at all.
+count() {
+  if (( $1 == 1 )); then printf '%s %s' "$1" "$2"; else printf '%s %s' "$1" "$3"; fi
+}
+
+usage() {
+  cat <<EOF
+Usage: ./uninstall.sh [--purge] [--yes]
+
+  --purge   also delete the settings ($CONFIG_DIR)
+            and the dictations, meetings and recordings ($DATA_DIR)
+  --yes     do not ask before deleting those
+
+Without --purge nothing you have written is touched, and the source directory
+is left alone either way.
+EOF
+}
+
+for arg in "$@"; do
+  case "$arg" in
+    --purge) PURGE=1 ;;
+    --yes|-y) ASSUME_YES=1 ;;
+    -h|--help) usage; exit 0 ;;
+    *) printf 'uninstall.sh: unknown option: %s\n' "$arg" >&2; usage >&2; exit 2 ;;
+  esac
+done
+
+# A symlink whose target is gone is still a file to remove, hence -L.
+remove() {
+  if [[ -e "$1" || -L "$1" ]]; then
+    rm -f "$1"
+    ok "Removed $1"
+  else
+    gone "Was not there: $1"
+  fi
+}
+
+echo
+echo "Uninstalling Dikte"
+echo "──────────────────"
+
+# 1. Global shortcuts ------------------------------------------------------
+# Handed to Dikte while it can still run, because it is the half that knows
+# whether they went into KDE's kglobalshortcutsrc or GNOME's gsettings.
+if [[ -n "$PY" ]] && python3 -c 'import PyQt6.QtWidgets' 2>/dev/null; then
+  for which in toggle cancel ask meeting; do
+    "$PY" "$DIR/dikte.py" shortcut remove "$which" >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+  done
+  ok "Global shortcuts unregistered"
+  say "KWin reads that file at startup, so the keys are free after your next login."
+else
+  warn "PyQt6 is missing, so the shortcuts were left registered."
+  say  "Remove them in your desktop's shortcut settings."
+fi
+
+# 2. The running instance --------------------------------------------------
+# It holds a tray icon and a socket; asking it to quit is tidier than pulling
+# its launchers out from under it.
+if pgrep -u "$USER_NAME" -f 'dikte\.py' >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+  [[ -n "$PY" ]] && "$PY" "$DIR/dikte.py" quit >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+  sleep 0.5
+  if pgrep -u "$USER_NAME" -f 'dikte\.py' >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    warn "Dikte is still running; close it from the tray icon"
+  else
+    ok "Stopped the running instance"
+  fi
+fi
+
+# 3. Launchers -------------------------------------------------------------
+# Only our own symlink goes: a file of the same name that somebody else put
+# there is not ours to delete.
+if [[ -L "$BIN_DIR/dikte" ]]; then
+  remove "$BIN_DIR/dikte"
+elif [[ -e "$BIN_DIR/dikte" ]]; then
+  warn "$BIN_DIR/dikte is not our symlink, leaving it alone"
+else
+  gone "Was not there: $BIN_DIR/dikte"
+fi
+remove "$APP_DIR/dikte.desktop"
+remove "$AUTOSTART_DIR/dikte.desktop"
+# Removing the shortcut takes its desktop file with it, but an install from
+# before this script existed may have left one behind on a desktop that never
+# used them.
+for id in dikte-toggle dikte-cancel dikte-ask dikte-meeting; do
+  if [[ -e "$APP_DIR/$id.desktop" ]]; then
+    remove "$APP_DIR/$id.desktop"
+  fi
+done
+
+# 4. Settings and dictations -----------------------------------------------
+echo
+if ((PURGE)); then
+  warn "--purge also deletes:"
+  if [[ -f "$CONFIG_DIR/config.json" ]]; then
+    say "$CONFIG_DIR/config.json  (your API keys and every setting)"
+  fi
+  if [[ -f "$DATA_DIR/history.jsonl" ]]; then
+    # grep -c rather than wc -l: a last line with no newline is still a dictation.
+    say "$DATA_DIR/history.jsonl  ($(count "$(grep -c '' "$DATA_DIR/history.jsonl" 2>/dev/null || echo 0)" dictation dictations))"
+  fi
+  if [[ -d "$DATA_DIR/meetings" ]]; then
+    say "$DATA_DIR/meetings  ($(count "$(find "$DATA_DIR/meetings" -name '*.md' | wc -l)" meeting meetings))"
+  fi
+  if [[ -d "$DATA_DIR/recordings" ]]; then
+    say "$DATA_DIR/recordings  ($(du -sh "$DATA_DIR/recordings" | cut -f1) of audio)"
+  fi
+
+  if ((!ASSUME_YES)); then
+    if [[ -t 0 ]]; then
+      printf '  Type yes to delete them: '
+      read -r reply
+      [[ "$reply" == "yes" ]] || { PURGE=0; say "Kept."; }
+    else
+      PURGE=0
+      warn "Not a terminal, so nothing was deleted. Pass --yes if you meant it."
+    fi
+  fi
+fi
+
+if ((PURGE)); then
+  rm -rf "$CONFIG_DIR" "$DATA_DIR"
+  ok "Settings and dictations deleted"
+else
+  say "Settings kept:     $CONFIG_DIR"
+  say "Dictations kept:   $DATA_DIR"
+  say "Delete them too with:  ./uninstall.sh --purge"
+fi
+
+echo
+ok "Done."
+say "The source directory is untouched: $DIR"
+echo
diff --git a/update.sh b/update.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..9194407
--- /dev/null
+++ b/update.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,99 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# Dikte updater: pull, put the launchers back, restart what was running.
+set -euo pipefail
+
+DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")" && pwd)"
+PY="$(command -v python3 || true)"
+USER_NAME="$(id -un)"
+
+say()  { printf '  %s\n' "$1"; }
+ok()   { printf '  \033[32m✓\033[0m %s\n' "$1"; }
+warn() { printf '  \033[33m!\033[0m %s\n' "$1"; }
+die()  { printf '  \033[31m✗\033[0m %s\n' "$1"; echo; exit 1; }
+
+# The combination stored in the settings, which is where Dikte itself reads it
+# from and the one place that is the same on KDE and on GNOME.
+setting() {
+  [[ -n "$PY" ]] || return 0
+  "$PY" "$DIR/dikte.py" config get "$1" 2>/dev/null || true
+}
+
+echo
+echo "Updating Dikte"
+echo "──────────────"
+
+cd "$DIR"
+
+# 1. Somewhere there is something to pull ----------------------------------
+command -v git >/dev/null || die "git not found; update by downloading the source again"
+git rev-parse --git-dir >/dev/null 2>&1 \
+  || die "$DIR is not a git checkout; update by downloading the source again"
+
+before="$(git rev-parse HEAD)"
+
+# 2. Is there anything to come? ---------------------------------------------
+# Asked before anything else is complained about: an unfinished afternoon in
+# the working tree is nobody's problem on a day when nothing has been
+# published. Fetching leaves the working tree alone.
+git fetch --quiet || die "Could not reach the remote."
+upstream="$(git rev-parse '@{u}' 2>/dev/null)" \
+  || die "This branch is not tracking a remote one; pull by hand."
+
+if [[ "$before" == "$upstream" ]]; then
+  echo
+  ok "Already up to date ($(git log -1 --format=%s))"
+  echo
+  exit 0
+fi
+
+# 3. Only now, your own edits -----------------------------------------------
+# They would be overwritten by a fast-forward or would block it, and either way
+# that is your call to make, not this script's. Untracked files are counted
+# too: a fast-forward that adds a file of that name stops on them.
+if [[ -n "$(git status --porcelain)" ]]; then
+  warn "There is an update waiting, but you have changes of your own here:"
+  git --no-pager status --short | sed 's/^/    /'
+  say "Commit them, or put them aside with:  git stash --include-untracked"
+  die "Nothing was updated."
+fi
+
+# --ff-only: an update should be somebody else's commits arriving, never a
+# merge this script decided to make on your behalf. The fetch above already
+# brought them, so this touches no network.
+# advice off: git's suggestion is a merge or a rebase, and which of those you
+# want is the sentence below, not a wall of hints.
+if ! merge_log="$(git -c advice.diverging=false merge --ff-only '@{u}' 2>&1)"; then
+  printf '%s\n' "$merge_log" | sed 's/^/    /'
+  say "Your branch has commits the remote does not. To put them on top of the"
+  say "update instead:  git pull --rebase"
+  die "Could not fast-forward."
+fi
+after="$(git rev-parse HEAD)"
+
+echo
+say "What arrived:"
+git --no-pager log --oneline "$before..$after" | sed 's/^/    /'
+echo
+
+# 4. Launchers --------------------------------------------------------------
+# An update can add a dependency or move a file, so the installer runs again.
+# It would otherwise register its own defaults over the keys you chose, so it
+# is told what those are. Read before the installer runs, since it is the one
+# writing them.
+shortcut="$(setting shortcut)"
+cancel_shortcut="$(setting cancel_shortcut)"
+# Positional, so a chosen discard key cannot be passed without the other one.
+"$DIR/install.sh" "${shortcut:-Ctrl+Space}" "${cancel_shortcut:-}"
+
+# 5. The running instance ---------------------------------------------------
+# It is still running the code from before the pull.
+if pgrep -u "$USER_NAME" -f 'dikte\.py' >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+  if [[ -n "$PY" ]] && "$PY" "$DIR/dikte.py" restart >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    ok "Restarted, so the new version is the one running"
+  else
+    warn "Could not restart it; use the tray menu → Restart"
+  fi
+else
+  say "Dikte was not running. Start it with:  dikte"
+fi
+echo