> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://developer.suki.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# General

> General questions about the Suki Dictation SDK

<Accordion title="What is the Suki Dictation SDK?">
  The Suki Dictation SDK is a JavaScript and React library for dictation in the browser. It lets you add speech-to-text to your web application using Suki's hosted dictation experience, authentication helpers, and callbacks.

  Read the [Dictation SDK Overview](/dictation-sdk/introduction) for supported packages, In-field and Scratchpad modes, and how a typical session flows.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="What are In-field mode and Scratchpad mode?">
  You can build dictation in two ways:

  * **In-field:** Dictation overlays a target field. This pattern fits notes, forms, and similar workflows.

  * **Scratchpad:** Dictation uses a floating panel that is not tied to a single input.

  Read [In-field mode](/dictation-sdk/guides/in-field-mode) and [Scratchpad mode](/dictation-sdk/guides/scratchpad-mode). The [Introduction](/dictation-sdk/introduction) page also summarizes both.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="What is the difference between the Dictation SDK and the Dictation APIs?">
  **Dictation SDK:** Your app embeds dictation in the browser. The SDK handles platform authentication with **`SukiAuthManager`**, the iframe lifecycle, and callbacks such as **`onSubmit`**.

  **Dictation APIs:** You call Suki's REST and WebSocket dictation APIs from your own code without using this iframe SDK. That path is documented under [Audio dictation](/documentation/dictation) and the [Dictation API](/api-reference/ambient-dictation) reference.

  The [Introduction](/dictation-sdk/introduction) page includes a short note that compares the two approaches.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Which npm packages should I install?">
  Every setup uses **`@suki-sdk/core`** for **`SukiAuthManager`**. You then add one surface package:

  * **JavaScript (vanilla or non-React frameworks):** **`@suki-sdk/dictation`** plus **`@suki-sdk/core`**.

  * **React:** **`@suki-sdk/dictation-react`** plus **`@suki-sdk/core`**. You still import **`DictationClient`** from **`@suki-sdk/dictation`** in examples when you construct the client in code.

  Copy-paste install commands are in [Installation](/dictation-sdk/installation). Package names also appear on the [Introduction](/dictation-sdk/introduction) page.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Does the Dictation SDK run in Node.js or on the server?">
  No. The product is meant for **browser** embedding. Your page needs a real **`HTMLIFrameElement`**, **`postMessage`**, and layout so the hosted UI can mount and size correctly.

  **Not supported:** Using Node.js as the runtime that hosts **`DictationClient`** or the dictation iframe, or relying on **SSR alone** to render dictation instead of initializing on the client after the DOM (and your container, when you use one) exists.

  Read the runtime section in [Error handling](/dictation-sdk/guides/error-handling) and [Prerequisites](/dictation-sdk/prerequisites).
</Accordion>