diff --git a/crates/buzz-relay/src/api/transcribe.rs b/crates/buzz-relay/src/api/transcribe.rs
index f66c584e4..97263a87f 100644
--- a/crates/buzz-relay/src/api/transcribe.rs
+++ b/crates/buzz-relay/src/api/transcribe.rs
@@ -81,14 +81,16 @@ pub async fn create_transcribe_session(
         .header("Authorization", format!("Bearer {api_key}"))
         .header("Content-Type", "application/json")
         .json(&serde_json::json!({
-            "session": {
-                "type": "transcription",
-                "input_audio_transcription": {
-                    "model": model,
-                },
-                "turn_detection": {
-                    "type": "server_vad",
+            "type": "transcription",
+            "audio": {
+                "input": {
+                    "transcription": {
+                        "model": model,
+                    }
                 }
+            },
+            "turn_detection": {
+                "type": "server_vad",
             }
         }))
         .timeout(std::time::Duration::from_secs(10))
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/dictation/hooks/useDictation.ts b/desktop/src/features/dictation/hooks/useDictation.ts
index ad42ef569..5e21fed16 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/dictation/hooks/useDictation.ts
+++ b/desktop/src/features/dictation/hooks/useDictation.ts
@@ -63,8 +63,13 @@ export function useDictation({
         return;
       }
 
+      // Set the text first so the composer shows the final dictated content,
+      // then trigger send. We intentionally do NOT clear the composer here —
+      // the send flow in MessageComposer handles clearing on successful send.
+      // If a mention dialog opens (non-member mention), the text stays in the
+      // composer so the user doesn't lose their dictated message.
+      setText(textWithoutPhrase.trim());
       onSend(textWithoutPhrase.trim());
-      setText("");
       lastTranscriptRef.current = "";
     },
     [autoSubmitPhrases, getText, onSend, isSendBlockedRef, setText],
diff --git a/desktop/src/features/dictation/lib/realtimeAudio.ts b/desktop/src/features/dictation/lib/realtimeAudio.ts
index 4aaaeb148..2ad6e010d 100644
--- a/desktop/src/features/dictation/lib/realtimeAudio.ts
+++ b/desktop/src/features/dictation/lib/realtimeAudio.ts
@@ -89,7 +89,12 @@ export function getTranscriptText(state: TranscriptSegmentState): string {
   for (const id of state.itemOrder) {
     const seg = state.items.get(id);
     if (!seg) continue;
-    result += seg.finalized ?? seg.pending;
+    const text = seg.finalized ?? seg.pending;
+    if (!text) continue;
+    if (result && !result.endsWith(" ") && !text.startsWith(" ")) {
+      result += " ";
+    }
+    result += text;
   }
   return result;
 }
@@ -136,13 +141,7 @@ export function mergeTranscriptEvent(
   }
 
   // Reconstruct full text from all items in order.
-  let result = "";
-  for (const id of state.itemOrder) {
-    const seg = state.items.get(id);
-    if (!seg) continue;
-    result += seg.finalized ?? seg.pending;
-  }
-  return result;
+  return getTranscriptText(state);
 }
 
 // ── Audio buffer capture ──────────────────────────────────────────────────