diff --git a/bin/omarchy-provision-first-run b/bin/omarchy-provision-first-run
index 98764291..eec307ec 100755
--- a/bin/omarchy-provision-first-run
+++ b/bin/omarchy-provision-first-run
@@ -68,8 +68,6 @@ run_first_run_step() {
   fi
 }
 
-run_first_run_step "install Voxtype post-update hook" \
-  omarchy-hook-install post-update "$OMARCHY_PATH/install/user/first-run/install-voxtype.hook"
 run_first_run_step "install fingerprint setup post-update hook" \
   omarchy-hook-install post-update "$OMARCHY_PATH/install/user/first-run/setup-fingerprint.hook"
 run_first_run_step "install agent setup post-update hook" \
diff --git a/config/omarchy/defaults/dictation b/config/omarchy/defaults/dictation
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b56362f0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/config/omarchy/defaults/dictation
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+superwhisper
diff --git a/docs/file-layout.md b/docs/file-layout.md
index 5caaba56..1bf34747 100644
--- a/docs/file-layout.md
+++ b/docs/file-layout.md
@@ -267,8 +267,8 @@ first runs `omarchy-provision-user || true` so finalize catches up if it
 never ran, then handles the steps that need a running graphical session
 and/or a working user systemd instance:
 
-- `omarchy-hook-install post-update` for the three shipped hooks
-  (`install-voxtype.hook`, `setup-fingerprint.hook`, `setup-agent.hook`).
+- `omarchy-hook-install post-update` for the two shipped hooks
+  (`setup-fingerprint.hook`, `setup-agent.hook`).
 - `install/user/first-run/enable-user-units.sh` — daemon-reload, then
   `systemctl --user enable --now` the shipped user units (`bt-agent`,
   `omarchy-sleep-lock`, `omarchy-recover-internal-monitor`,
diff --git a/install/omarchy-base.packages b/install/omarchy-base.packages
index 1981d883..35fd3feb 100644
--- a/install/omarchy-base.packages
+++ b/install/omarchy-base.packages
@@ -127,6 +127,7 @@ sddm
 slurp
 socat
 starship
+superwhisper-bin
 sushi
 system-config-printer
 tesseract
diff --git a/install/user/first-run/install-voxtype.hook b/install/user/first-run/install-voxtype.hook
deleted file mode 100644
index d826e42f..00000000
--- a/install/user/first-run/install-voxtype.hook
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,9 +0,0 @@
-#!/bin/bash
-
-set -e
-
-if omarchy-done ensure voxtype-install-invitation; then
-  omarchy-notification-send -u critical -g  "Install Dictation" \
-    "Click to install voice dictation for Omarchy." \
-    --exec omarchy-menu summon setup.default.dictation
-fi
diff --git a/manual/11-text-extraction-dictation.md b/manual/11-text-extraction-dictation.md
index ab527953..76d665ab 100644
--- a/manual/11-text-extraction-dictation.md
+++ b/manual/11-text-extraction-dictation.md
@@ -10,11 +10,11 @@ This is very helpful for grabbing addresses out of image footers or phone number
 
 ### Dictation
 
-Install [Voxtype](https://voxtype.io/) or [Superwhisper](https://superwhisper.com/) through _Setup > Defaults > Dictation_ in the Omarchy menu. Selecting a backend installs it if needed and makes it the default for dictation. Voxtype loads a base English model that takes up 150MB; change the model with `voxtype setup model` and other settings through `~/.config/voxtype/config.toml`. Superwhisper opens its settings to choose cloud or local processing, and OPR keeps the application updated.
+On fresh installs, [Superwhisper](https://superwhisper.com/) is the default dictation backend, using cloud processing without offline model downloads. Choose Superwhisper or [Voxtype](https://voxtype.io/) through _Setup > Defaults > Dictation_ in the Omarchy menu. Selecting a backend installs it if needed and makes it the default for dictation. Voxtype loads a base English model that takes up 150MB; change the model with `voxtype setup model` and other settings through `~/.config/voxtype/config.toml`. Superwhisper opens its settings to choose cloud or local processing, and OPR keeps the application updated.
 
-Once installed, you dictate by holding down `Right Alt` or `F9`, or by toggling with `Super + Ctrl + X`, and the dictated text will appear in the focused input area. These shortcuts are enabled only after selecting a backend. Right Alt also starts dictation when used in a modifier chord; use Left Alt for those chords. On keyboard layouts where Right Alt is AltGr, use `F9` to keep AltGr available for typing.
+You dictate by holding down `Right Alt` or `F9`, or by toggling with `Super + Ctrl + X`, and the dictated text will appear in the focused input area. These shortcuts use the selected backend. Right Alt also starts dictation when used in a modifier chord; use Left Alt for those chords. On keyboard layouts where Right Alt is AltGr, use `F9` to keep AltGr available for typing.
 
-The same shortcuts can use an installed Superwhisper instead. Select your backend through Setup > Defaults > Dictation. The backend installer configures it and saves the selection. Run `omarchy default dictation` to see which one is selected. The selection is saved in `~/.config/omarchy/defaults/dictation`. Dictation requires an explicit selection.
+The same shortcuts work with either backend. Select your backend through Setup > Defaults > Dictation. The backend installer configures it and saves the selection. Run `omarchy default dictation` to see which one is selected. The selection is saved in `~/.config/omarchy/defaults/dictation`. Fresh installs select Superwhisper automatically.
 
 Omarchy loads the selected backend's desktop integration automatically. No Superwhisper configuration is needed in `~/.config/hypr/`.
 
diff --git a/test/shell.d/dictation-test.sh b/test/shell.d/dictation-test.sh
index b1de2b63..57c67638 100644
--- a/test/shell.d/dictation-test.sh
+++ b/test/shell.d/dictation-test.sh
@@ -228,6 +228,12 @@ assert(#bindings == 5, "any configured backend receives the same bindings")
 LUA
 pass "dictation shortcuts require a selection without limiting backend names"
 
+# Fresh users receive the backend choice through the settings package's skel.
+cp "$ROOT/config/omarchy/defaults/dictation" "$config"
+[[ $(omarchy-default-dictation) == "superwhisper" ]] || fail "fresh users default to Superwhisper"
+printf '%s\n' voxtype > "$config"
+pass "fresh users get Superwhisper as their default backend"
+
 lua <<'LUA'
 local root = os.getenv("ROOT")
 package.path = root .. "/?.lua;" .. package.path
diff --git a/test/shell.d/voxtype-invitation-test.sh b/test/shell.d/voxtype-invitation-test.sh
deleted file mode 100644
index 84fdc29c..00000000
--- a/test/shell.d/voxtype-invitation-test.sh
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,57 +0,0 @@
-#!/bin/bash
-
-source "$(dirname "$0")/base-test.sh"
-
-test_home=$(mktemp -d)
-test_bin=$(mktemp -d)
-log_file=$(mktemp)
-hook_path="$test_home/.config/omarchy/hooks/post-update.d/install-voxtype.hook"
-
-cleanup() {
-  rm -rf "$test_home" "$test_bin"
-  rm -f "$log_file"
-}
-trap cleanup EXIT
-
-mkdir -p "$(dirname "$hook_path")"
-
-cat >"$test_bin/omarchy-notification-send" <<'EOF'
-#!/bin/bash
-echo notification >>"$TEST_LOG"
-exec_args=()
-while (($# > 0)); do
-  if [[ $1 == "--exec" ]]; then shift; exec_args=("$@"); break; fi
-  shift
-done
-((${#exec_args[@]})) && echo "exec:${exec_args[*]}" >>"$TEST_LOG"
-EOF
-chmod +x "$test_bin/omarchy-notification-send"
-
-# The shell runs the click command, so the invitation must not need a unit of its
-# own to keep a blocked sender alive until the toast is answered.
-cat >"$test_bin/systemd-run" <<'EOF'
-#!/bin/bash
-echo "systemd-run:$*" >>"$TEST_LOG"
-EOF
-chmod +x "$test_bin/systemd-run"
-
-run_invitation_hook() {
-  cp "$ROOT/install/user/first-run/install-voxtype.hook" "$hook_path"
-  HOME="$test_home" PATH="$test_bin:$ROOT/bin:$PATH" TEST_LOG="$log_file" bash "$hook_path"
-}
-
-run_invitation_hook
-
-[[ -f $test_home/.local/state/omarchy/done/voxtype-install-invitation ]] || fail "Voxtype invitation records completion"
-[[ -f $hook_path ]] || fail "Voxtype invitation keeps its hook installed"
-[[ $(grep -c '^notification$' "$log_file") -eq 1 ]] || fail "Voxtype invitation sends one notification"
-grep -qx 'exec:omarchy-menu summon setup.default.dictation' "$log_file" ||
-  fail "dictation invitation opens the backend installation choices"
-grep -q '^systemd-run:' "$log_file" && fail "Voxtype invitation needs no unit to hold an unanswered toast"
-
-HOME="$test_home" PATH="$test_bin:$ROOT/bin:$PATH" TEST_LOG="$log_file" bash "$hook_path"
-
-[[ -f $hook_path ]] || fail "completed Voxtype invitation keeps its hook installed"
-[[ $(grep -c '^notification$' "$log_file") -eq 1 ]] || fail "completed Voxtype invitation hook does not notify again"
-
-pass "Voxtype invitation only runs once"