# Vocalinux **Voice dictation for Linux** [![Ubuntu](https://img.shields.io/badge/Ubuntu-24.04+-E95420?logo=ubuntu&logoColor=white)](docs/DISTRO_COMPATIBILITY.md) [![Debian](https://img.shields.io/badge/Debian-12+-A81D33?logo=debian&logoColor=white)](docs/DISTRO_COMPATIBILITY.md) [![Fedora](https://img.shields.io/badge/Fedora-42+-51A2DA?logo=fedora&logoColor=white)](docs/DISTRO_COMPATIBILITY.md) [![Arch](https://img.shields.io/badge/Arch-rolling-1793D1?logo=archlinux&logoColor=white)](docs/DISTRO_COMPATIBILITY.md) [![openSUSE](https://img.shields.io/badge/openSUSE-Tumbleweed-73BA25?logo=opensuse&logoColor=white)](docs/DISTRO_COMPATIBILITY.md) [![Privacy: on-device](https://img.shields.io/badge/privacy-on--device-success)](https://github.com/VocaHQ/vocalinux#privacy-and-security) [![X11 & Wayland](https://img.shields.io/badge/display-X11%20%7C%20Wayland-lightgrey)](https://github.com/VocaHQ/vocalinux#features) [![License: AGPL-3.0](https://img.shields.io/badge/License-AGPL--3.0-blue.svg)](https://www.gnu.org/licenses/agpl-3.0) [![Python 3.11+](https://img.shields.io/badge/python-3.11+-blue.svg)](https://www.python.org/downloads/) [![PRs Welcome](https://img.shields.io/badge/PRs-welcome-brightgreen.svg)](CONTRIBUTING.md) [![Discord](https://img.shields.io/discord/1538633755877580810?logo=discord&logoColor=white&label=Discord)](https://discord.gg/t6muquAJbm) [![VocaHQ](https://img.shields.io/badge/VocaHQ-vocahq.com-1a7f4e)](https://vocahq.com) [![Follow on X](https://img.shields.io/badge/Follow%20%40vocahq-000000?style=flat&logo=x&logoColor=white)](https://x.com/vocahq) [![GitHub release](https://img.shields.io/github/v/release/VocaHQ/vocalinux)](https://github.com/VocaHQ/vocalinux/releases) [![PyPI](https://img.shields.io/pypi/v/vocalinux)](https://pypi.org/project/vocalinux/) [![AUR](https://img.shields.io/aur/version/vocalinux)](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/vocalinux) [Website](https://vocalinux.com) · [Install](#install) · [Docs](#documentation) · [Releases](https://github.com/VocaHQ/vocalinux/releases)

Vocalinux turns speech into typed text in whatever app has focus. It is a free, AGPL-3.0-licensed desktop app for X11 and Wayland. After you download a model, local engines (whisper.cpp by default, plus OpenAI Whisper, Faster Whisper, VOSK, and Parakeet) run speech-to-text on your machine. An optional remote HTTP API is off unless you configure it. No Voca account is required. Models download once. After that, speech-to-text stays on your machine. **Current release:** [v0.17.0](https://github.com/VocaHQ/vocalinux/releases/tag/v0.17.0). Minor: Faster Whisper and Parakeet engines, Speech Model simple setup, first-run system language, Snap with native Wayland typing, Flatpak bundles on the GitHub Release. Details: [docs/UPDATE.md](docs/UPDATE.md). ## Features - **On-device after model download**: Local engines; speech-to-text stays on your machine - **X11 and Wayland**: Text injection via xdotool, IBus, wtype, ydotool, or clipboard fallback - **Several engines**: whisper.cpp (default), OpenAI Whisper, Faster Whisper, VOSK, Parakeet, plus optional remote HTTP API - **GPU acceleration**: Vulkan for AMD, Intel, and NVIDIA with whisper.cpp - **Toggle or push-to-talk**: New installs default to hold Right Alt; existing configs keep their shortcut - **System tray + settings**: Searchable sidebar, Speech Model simple setup with Advanced as an island, status icons, audio feedback - **Start on login**: XDG autostart (desktop session, not a systemd service) - **Packaging**: install script, AppImage, AUR, PyPI, Snap (`--edge`), Flatpak (release bundles and local build; not on Flathub) ## Screenshots Vocalinux in action. Full gallery on the [website screenshots page](https://vocalinux.com/screenshots/). ### Product

Real-time voice-to-text transcription	System tray with listening indicator
About & Updates in Settings	Log viewer for debugging

### Settings

Speech Engine	Recognition	Audio
Performance	General	Advanced

## Install ### Recommended (interactive installer) ```bash curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/VocaHQ/vocalinux/main/install.sh -o /tmp/vl.sh bash /tmp/vl.sh ``` Prefer to review the script first: open `/tmp/vl.sh` before running it, or clone the repo and run `./install.sh` locally. The installer detects hardware, recommends an engine, downloads a default model (~74MB for whisper.cpp tiny), installs neural VAD when ONNX Runtime is available, and sets up desktop integration. Typical install time with whisper.cpp is about 1-2 minutes. | Engine | When to use | |--------|-------------| | **whisper.cpp** (default) | Best default; Vulkan GPU on AMD, Intel, and NVIDIA | | **Whisper** (OpenAI) | PyTorch path; NVIDIA/CUDA | | **Faster Whisper** | CPU-friendly Whisper via CTranslate2 / INT8 | | **VOSK** | Low RAM / minimal footprint | | **Parakeet** | CPU; NVIDIA NeMo ASR via sherpa-onnx; 25 European languages | | **Remote API** | Offload to a server you configure | Non-interactive options: ```bash bash /tmp/vl.sh --auto # whisper.cpp defaults bash /tmp/vl.sh --auto --engine=whisper # OpenAI Whisper bash /tmp/vl.sh --auto --engine=faster_whisper # Faster Whisper (CPU) bash /tmp/vl.sh --auto --engine=vosk # VOSK only bash /tmp/vl.sh --auto --engine=parakeet # Parakeet (CPU) ``` For a specific release tag, see [GitHub Releases](https://github.com/VocaHQ/vocalinux/releases) or `./install.sh --tag=v0.17.0`. ### Arch Linux (AUR) ```bash yay -S vocalinux ``` See [docs/AUR.md](docs/AUR.md). ### AppImage Download the `x86_64` or `aarch64` AppImage from [Releases](https://github.com/VocaHQ/vocalinux/releases), mark it executable, and run it. Built against glibc 2.35 (Debian 12+, Ubuntu 22.04+, Fedora 36+, Arch, Tumbleweed). Host text-injection tools (`xdotool` on X11; `wtype` / `ydotool` / clipboard tools on Wayland) are still required. Current AppImages rebuild whisper.cpp with Vulkan and use the host GPU driver. Prefer the installer when you want system deps, a CUDA build, and models set up automatically. ### Flatpak (any distro) GitHub Releases attach `Vocalinux--x86_64.flatpak` and `Vocalinux--aarch64.flatpak`. After the Flathub GNOME runtime is present: ```bash flatpak install --user ./Vocalinux--x86_64.flatpak ``` Bundles do not auto-update. Local build: ```bash flatpak install flathub org.gnome.Platform//50 org.gnome.Sdk//50 flatpak-builder --user --install --force-clean build-dir \ packaging/flatpak/com.vocalinux.Vocalinux.yml flatpak run com.vocalinux.Vocalinux ``` Ships whisper.cpp with Vulkan. It is **not on Flathub** (submission [flathub#9368](https://github.com/flathub/flathub/pull/9368) closed 2026-07-23 on policy grounds). Details: [packaging/flatpak/README.md](packaging/flatpak/README.md). ### Snap (Ubuntu Snap Store) Listing: [snapcraft.io/vocalinux](https://snapcraft.io/vocalinux). `stable` is still a manual promote after QA. Tagged releases also attach `vocalinux__amd64.snap` on GitHub. ```bash sudo snap install vocalinux --edge sudo snap connect vocalinux:audio-record # if mic is not auto-connected sudo snap connect vocalinux:raw-input # global keyboard shortcuts (evdev) sudo snap connect vocalinux:hardware-observe # list keyboards (/proc/bus/input/devices) sudo snap connect vocalinux:uinput # native Wayland typing (ydotool) ``` v0.17.0 includes ydotool and the `uinput` plug. The Store still has to finish review of that plug, so `snap info vocalinux` may still show **v0.16.2** (rev 7) on edge. That revision has no `uinput` plug; `snap connect vocalinux:uinput` fails until a 0.17.0+ revision is listed. Until then, sideload the GitHub file: ```bash sudo snap install --dangerous ./vocalinux_0.17.0_amd64.snap sudo snap connect vocalinux:uinput ``` ### From source ```bash git clone https://github.com/VocaHQ/vocalinux.git cd vocalinux ./install.sh # or pick the engine up front ./install.sh --engine=whisper_cpp ./install.sh --engine=vosk ./install.sh --engine=parakeet --auto ``` ### After installation ```bash vocalinux # if ~/.local/bin is on PATH # or ~/.local/share/vocalinux/venv/bin/vocalinux ``` You can also launch Vocalinux from your application menu. ### Nightly builds Daily builds from `main` appear on [Releases](https://github.com/VocaHQ/vocalinux/releases). Use the latest stable or beta release for production; nightlies are untested. ## Requirements | | | |--|--| | **OS** | Linux (Ubuntu 24.04+, Debian 12+, Fedora 42+, Arch, openSUSE Tumbleweed) | | **Python** | 3.11 or newer | | **Display** | X11 or Wayland | | **Hardware** | Microphone; GPU optional (Vulkan) | The distro must ship Python 3.11+ because Vocalinux uses distro PyGObject (`python3-gi`). Ubuntu 22.04 (Python 3.10) and Debian 11 (3.9) are below that floor. Distribution notes: [docs/DISTRO_COMPATIBILITY.md](docs/DISTRO_COMPATIBILITY.md). ## Usage ### Dictation 1. **Push-to-talk (default on new installs):** hold Right Alt (Option on Mac-layout keyboards) and speak 2. Speak into the microphone 3. **Release** to stop, or switch to **Toggle mode** in Settings (double-tap a key to start/stop) Existing configs keep their saved shortcut. ### Voice commands English phrases always work. With a non-English recognition language, matching punctuation / line-break phrases in that language are also recognized (Italian *virgola* / *punto*, French *virgule* / *point*, etc.). | Command | Action | |---------|--------| | "new line" | Line break | | "period" / "full stop" / "dot" | `.` | | "comma" | `,` | | "question mark" | `?` | | "exclamation mark" | `!` | | "delete that" | Delete last sentence | | "capitalize" | Capitalize next word | ### CLI ```bash vocalinux --help vocalinux --version vocalinux --debug vocalinux --engine whisper_cpp # default vocalinux --engine whisper vocalinux --engine faster_whisper vocalinux --engine vosk vocalinux --engine parakeet vocalinux --engine remote_api vocalinux --model medium vocalinux --model medium.en-q5_0 # exact whisper.cpp variant vocalinux --model large-v3-turbo vocalinux --wayland vocalinux --start-minimized ``` ### Autostart **Start on Login** creates an XDG autostart desktop entry (`~/.config/autostart/`). It does not install a systemd unit. Enable from the first-run dialog, tray menu, or Settings. ### Configuration Stored at `~/.config/vocalinux/config.json`. Prefer the Settings dialog for day-to-day changes. **Settings → Speech Model** starts with a simple setup; expand **Advanced** for engine, size, and specialization. Neural VAD (Silero) is used when `onnxruntime` is available; install via `pip install "vocalinux[vad]"` for manual/PyPI installs. The installer attempts this automatically. ## Documentation | Document | Description | |----------|-------------| | [Installation](docs/INSTALL.md) | Installer, AppImage, AUR, Flatpak, Snap, running | | [Manual / PyPI install](docs/INSTALL_MANUAL.md) | Package lists and pip workflows | | [Troubleshooting](docs/TROUBLESHOOTING.md) | Common failures | | [User guide](docs/USER_GUIDE.md) | Dictation, engines, models, tips | | [Update guide](docs/UPDATE.md) | Upgrade steps and release notes | | [Changelog](CHANGELOG.md) | Release history pointers | | [Support](SUPPORT.md) | Where to get help | | [Distribution compatibility](docs/DISTRO_COMPATIBILITY.md) | Distro matrix and session notes | | [Remote HTTP API](docs/HTTP_REMOTE.md) | Offload transcription to a server | | [Contributing](CONTRIBUTING.md) | Dev setup, style, PR process | | [Security](SECURITY.md) | Supported versions and vulnerability reporting | | [Docs index](docs/README.md) | Full documentation map | ## Privacy and security - Local engines process audio on-device after you download a model; no Voca account required - Optional remote API is off by default and only used when you configure a server - Model downloads are checked against pinned checksums Report vulnerabilities privately per [SECURITY.md](SECURITY.md). ## Development ```bash git clone https://github.com/VocaHQ/vocalinux.git cd vocalinux ./install.sh --dev source venv/bin/activate pytest python -m vocalinux.main --debug ``` See [CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md) for the two-venv layout, `just` recipes, and PR guidelines. ## Roadmap Shipped: graphical settings, multi-language support, whisper.cpp default, Vulkan GPU, Wayland/IBus, Flatpak packaging, AppImage, in-app update checker, Parakeet and Faster Whisper engines, Snap recipe. Planned: - [ ] Application-specific voice commands - [ ] Debian/Ubuntu package (`.deb`) - [ ] User-customizable voice command map - [ ] Flathub publication (not currently listed; see #167) ## Voca ecosystem Vocalinux is part of [VocaHQ](https://vocahq.com). On-device speech-to-text first, one app per platform. Optional [VocaGateway](https://vocagateway.vocahq.com) is self-hosted and not on-device. | Platform | Project | Website | GitHub | |----------|---------|---------|--------| | Linux | **VocaLinux** | [vocalinux.com](https://vocalinux.com) | [VocaHQ/vocalinux](https://github.com/VocaHQ/vocalinux) | | macOS | **VocaMac** | [vocamac.com](https://vocamac.com) | [VocaHQ/vocamac](https://github.com/VocaHQ/vocamac) | | Windows | **VocaWin** | [vocawin.com](https://vocawin.com) | [VocaHQ/vocawin](https://github.com/VocaHQ/vocawin) | | Phone | **VocaPhone** | [vocaphone.vocahq.com](https://vocaphone.vocahq.com) | [VocaHQ/vocaphone](https://github.com/VocaHQ/vocaphone) | | Gateway | **VocaGateway** | [vocagateway.vocahq.com](https://vocagateway.vocahq.com) | [VocaHQ/vocagateway](https://github.com/VocaHQ/vocagateway) | Talk to us: [Discord](https://discord.gg/t6muquAJbm) · [X @vocahq](https://x.com/vocahq) · [hello@vocahq.com](mailto:hello@vocahq.com) ## Contributing Bug reports, docs, and code are welcome. Start with [CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md) and [good first issues](https://github.com/VocaHQ/vocalinux/issues?q=is%3Aissue+is%3Aopen+label%3A%22good+first+issue%22). - [Report a bug](https://github.com/VocaHQ/vocalinux/issues/new?template=bug_report.md) - [Request a feature](https://github.com/VocaHQ/vocalinux/issues/new?template=feature_request.md) - [Discussions](https://github.com/VocaHQ/vocalinux/discussions) ### Contributors Thanks to everyone who has contributed code, docs, or fixes:

Vocalinux contributors

## Repository mirrors GitHub is the primary forge for issues, PRs, CI, and releases. | Role | URL | |------|-----| | Primary | https://github.com/VocaHQ/vocalinux | | Read-only mirror (Codeberg) | https://codeberg.org/jatinkrmalik/vocalinux | Open issues and pull requests on GitHub only. ## License This project is licensed under the **GNU Affero General Public License v3.0** ([AGPL-3.0](LICENSE)), aligning with the other [VocaHQ](https://github.com/VocaHQ) distribution projects. You may use, study, modify, and redistribute the software under AGPL-3.0. If you run a modified version as a network service, AGPL also requires that you make the corresponding source available. ## Star Chart [![Star History Chart](https://api.star-history.com/chart?repos=VocaHQ/vocalinux&type=date&legend=top-left&sealed_token=ZWyQQLhSORoR4mKf6UXMGFSCBXRxM_yEZgc8MFCH_ysBjaFUm_OCH-bI3TD7OivczEzm-ADRIpF9xCWFOMHvBPW95eQBxzfRMpNksChz7rN_eiqL7AIMDw)](https://www.star-history.com/?type=date&repos=VocaHQ%2Fvocalinux)