diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/main/managers/recording-manager.ts b/apps/desktop/src/main/managers/recording-manager.ts
index e1e4bd19..7583b9e3 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/main/managers/recording-manager.ts
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/main/managers/recording-manager.ts
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ export type RecordingMode = "idle" | "ptt" | "hands-free";
 export type TerminationCode =
   | "dismissed"
   | "quick_release"
+  | "escape"
   | "no_audio"
   | "error";
 
@@ -110,6 +111,10 @@ export class RecordingManager extends EventEmitter {
     shortcutManager.on("paste-last-transcript-triggered", async () => {
       await this.pasteLatestTranscription();
     });
+
+    shortcutManager.on("escape-triggered", async () => {
+      await this.cancelHandsFreeRecording();
+    });
   }
 
   private setState(newState: RecordingState): void {
@@ -202,6 +207,16 @@ export class RecordingManager extends EventEmitter {
     }
   }
 
+  public async cancelHandsFreeRecording() {
+    if (
+      this.recordingState === "recording" &&
+      this.recordingMode === "hands-free"
+    ) {
+      logger.audio.info("Escape pressed in hands-free mode, cancelling");
+      await this.endRecording("escape");
+    }
+  }
+
   // Toggle shortcut pressed
   public async toggleHandsFree() {
     // Double-tap detection: timer pending means quick release happened
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/main/managers/shortcut-manager.ts b/apps/desktop/src/main/managers/shortcut-manager.ts
index 4a7f8d47..b9f5bcab 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/main/managers/shortcut-manager.ts
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/main/managers/shortcut-manager.ts
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ export class ShortcutManager extends EventEmitter {
   private recheckInFlight = false;
   private recheckInterval: NodeJS.Timeout | null = null;
   private exactMatchState = {
+    escape: false,
     toggleRecording: false,
     pasteLastTranscript: false,
     newNote: false,
@@ -183,6 +184,7 @@ export class ShortcutManager extends EventEmitter {
   setIsRecordingShortcut(isRecording: boolean) {
     this.isRecordingShortcut = isRecording;
     if (isRecording) {
+      this.exactMatchState.escape = false;
       this.exactMatchState.toggleRecording = false;
       this.exactMatchState.pasteLastTranscript = false;
       this.exactMatchState.newNote = false;
@@ -276,6 +278,12 @@ export class ShortcutManager extends EventEmitter {
       return;
     }
 
+    const escapeMatch = this.isEscapePressed();
+    if (escapeMatch && !this.exactMatchState.escape) {
+      this.emit("escape-triggered");
+    }
+    this.exactMatchState.escape = escapeMatch;
+
     // Check PTT shortcut
     const isPTTPressed = this.isPTTShortcutPressed();
     this.emit("ptt-state-changed", isPTTPressed);
@@ -302,6 +310,14 @@ export class ShortcutManager extends EventEmitter {
     this.exactMatchState.newNote = newNoteMatch;
   }
 
+  private isEscapePressed(): boolean {
+    const activeKeysList = this.getActiveKeys();
+    return (
+      activeKeysList.length === 1 &&
+      getKeyFromKeycode(activeKeysList[0]!) === "Escape"
+    );
+  }
+
   private isPTTShortcutPressed(): boolean {
     const pttKeys = this.shortcuts.pushToTalk;
     if (!pttKeys || pttKeys.length === 0) {