voculinux/docs/DISTRO_COMPATIBILITY.md

Linux Distribution Compatibility

Implementation Status

The cross-distribution compatibility improvements have been implemented in phases:

Phase	Status	Description
Phase 1	✅ Complete	Dynamic GI_TYPELIB_PATH detection using pkg-config, multi-arch support, ALSA library fallbacks
Phase 2	✅ Complete	Enhanced distro detection (Gentoo, Alpine, Void, Solus, Mageia)
Phase 3	✅ Complete	System dependency checker, improved error messages
Phase 4	✅ Complete	CI test matrix, pkg-config as core dependency
Phase 5	✅ Complete	Fixed remaining hardcoded GI_TYPELIB_PATH values in install.sh and CI workflow
Phase 6	✅ Complete	Added wrapper script verification tests, updated documentation
Phase 7	📋 Planned	Flatpak packaging for universal distribution support
Phase 8	📋 Planned	Snap packaging for Ubuntu Software Store

Technical Implementation

Dynamic GI_TYPELIB_PATH Detection

The installer now uses a robust multi-step approach to detect the correct GI_TYPELIB_PATH across different distributions:

1. Primary Method: Uses pkg-config --variable=typelibdir gobject-introspection-1.0 (most reliable)

2. Fallback Paths: Checks common distribution-specific paths in priority order:

   • Ubuntu/Debian multi-arch: /usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/girepository-1.0
   • ARM64: /usr/lib/aarch64-linux-gnu/girepository-1.0
   • Fedora/RHEL: /usr/lib64/girepository-1.0
   • Arch/Generic: /usr/lib/girepository-1.0
   • Local installs: /usr/local/lib/girepository-1.0

3. Architecture Support: Detected paths for x86_64, ARM64, ARMHF, RISC-V, POWER, and s390x

Wrapper Scripts

The installer creates wrapper scripts (~/.local/bin/vocalinux and ~/.local/bin/vocalinux-gui) that:

• Set the correct GI_TYPELIB_PATH environment variable
• Handle input group permissions for Wayland keyboard shortcuts
• Provide seamless cross-distro compatibility

Desktop Entry

The .desktop entry is automatically configured with the detected GI_TYPELIB_PATH, ensuring the application launches correctly from the application menu regardless of distribution.

Officially Supported Distributions

These distributions are tested and known to work well with Vocalinux:

Distribution	Version	Status	Notes
Ubuntu	22.04+	✅ Full Support	Primary target, most thoroughly tested
Debian	11+, Testing	✅ Full Support	Well tested, use Ayatana AppIndicator on Debian 11+
Fedora	39+	✅ Good Support	Uses lib64 paths, fully supported
Arch Linux	Rolling	✅ Good Support	Community tested, rolling release compatible
openSUSE	Tumbleweed	✅ Good Support	Good support with zypper package manager

Experimental Support

These distributions may work but have known limitations or are less tested:

Distribution	Status	Known Issues
Gentoo	⚠️ Experimental	No package manager support, manual install required. Packages are compiled from source which takes longer.
Alpine Linux	⚠️ Experimental	Uses musl libc (not glibc). Some Python packages may not have pre-built wheels and may need to be compiled.
Void Linux	⚠️ Experimental	Untested, manual install required. Uses xbps package manager.
Solus	⚠️ Experimental	Untested, manual install required. Uses eopkg package manager.
Mageia	⚠️ Experimental	Untested, uses dnf/urpmi package managers.
Linux Mint	✅ Good Support	Based on Ubuntu, inherits Ubuntu compatibility
Pop!_OS	✅ Good Support	Based on Ubuntu, inherits Ubuntu compatibility
elementary OS	✅ Good Support	Based on Ubuntu, inherits Ubuntu compatibility
Zorin OS	✅ Good Support	Based on Ubuntu, inherits Ubuntu compatibility
Manjaro	✅ Good Support	Based on Arch, inherits Arch compatibility
EndeavourOS	✅ Good Support	Based on Arch, inherits Arch compatibility

Not Supported

These distributions are known to be incompatible:

Distribution	Status	Reason
NixOS	❌ Not Supported	Completely different filesystem layout (/nix/store), incompatible with standard installer

Requirements by Distribution

Ubuntu/Debian-based

sudo apt install -y python3-gi gir1.2-gtk-3.0 gir1.2-gdkpixbuf-2.0 \
  portaudio19-dev python3-dev python3-venv pkg-config

Note for Debian 11+: Use gir1.2-ayatanaappindicator3-0.1 instead of gir1.2-appindicator3-0.1

Fedora/RHEL-based

sudo dnf install -y python3-gobject gtk3-devel gobject-introspection-devel \
  portaudio-devel python3-devel python3-virtualenv pkg-config

Arch Linux-based

sudo pacman -S --needed python-gobject gtk3 gobject-introspection \
  portaudio python pkg-config

openSUSE

sudo zypper install -y python3-gobject python3-gobject-cairo gtk3 \
  gobject-introspection-devel portaudio-devel python3-devel \
  python3-virtualenv pkg-config

Gentoo

sudo emerge dev-python/pygobject:3 x11-libs/gtk+:3 dev-libs/libappindicator:3 \
  media-libs/portaudio dev-lang/python:3.9

Note: Gentoo compiles packages from source, which will take longer.

Alpine Linux

sudo apk add py3-gobject3 py3-pip gtk+3.0 py3-cairo portaudio-dev \
  py3-virtualenv pkgconf

Note: Alpine uses musl libc. Some Python packages may need to be compiled from source.

Void Linux

sudo xbps-install -Sy python3-pip python3-gobject gtk+3 libappindicator \
  gobject-introspection portaudio-devel python3-devel pkg-config

Solus

sudo eopkg install python3-pip python3-gobject gtk3 libappindicator \
  gobject-introspection-devel portaudio-devel python3-virtualenv pkg-config

Mageia

sudo dnf install -y python3-gobject gtk3-devel gobject-introspection-devel \
  portaudio-devel python3-devel python3-virtualenv pkg-config
# or
sudo urpmi -y python3-gobject gtk3-devel gobject-introspection-devel \
  portaudio-devel python3-devel python3-virtualenv pkg-config

pipx Installation

pipx is a popular tool for installing Python CLI applications in isolated environments. However, Vocalinux requires system GTK packages that cannot be installed via pip/pipx.

Important: Install System Packages First

Before running pipx install vocalinux, you must install the required system packages:

Ubuntu/Debian

sudo apt install python3-gi gir1.2-gtk-3.0 gir1.2-ayatanaappindicator3-0.1 \
  portaudio19-dev python3-dev pkg-config

Fedora

sudo dnf install python3-gobject gtk3 libappindicator-gtk3 \
  portaudio-devel python3-devel pkg-config

Arch Linux

sudo pacman -S python-gobject gtk3 libappindicator portaudio pkg-config

openSUSE

sudo zypper install python3-gobject gtk3 libappindicator \
  portaudio-devel python3-devel pkg-config

pipx Installation Steps

1. Install system packages (see above for your distribution)

2. Install pipx (if not already installed):

   # Ubuntu/Debian
   sudo apt install pipx
   pipx ensurepath
   
   # Fedora
   sudo dnf install pipx
   pipx ensurepath
   
   # Arch Linux
   sudo pacman -S pipx
   pipx ensurepath
   

3. Install Vocalinux:

   pipx install vocalinux
   

4. Run Vocalinux:

   vocalinux-gui
   

Why System Packages Are Required

Vocalinux uses GTK3 for its GUI and AppIndicator for the system tray icon. These are system libraries that use GObject Introspection (GI) bindings, which must be installed via your distribution's package manager. The Python packages in pip only provide the Python interface to these libraries - they don't include the actual GTK libraries.

Troubleshooting pipx Installation

If vocalinux-gui fails to start:

1. Check for missing system packages - The error message will indicate which packages are missing
2. Verify GI_TYPELIB_PATH - In rare cases, you may need to set this environment variable:

   export GI_TYPELIB_PATH=/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/girepository-1.0
   vocalinux-gui
   

Recommended Alternative

For the best experience with automatic dependency handling, use the official installer:

curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/jatinkrmalik/vocalinux/main/install.sh | bash

This installer automatically detects your distribution and installs all required system packages.

Text Injection Tools

Vocalinux requires text injection tools to work with X11 or Wayland:

For X11

• xdotool: Required for X11 sessions

For Wayland

• wtype: Recommended for Wayland native sessions
• ydotool: Universal alternative that works with both X11 and Wayland
• xdotool: May work via XWayland fallback

Installation by Distribution

# Ubuntu/Debian/Fedora/Arch/openSUSE
sudo apt install xdotool wtype     # Ubuntu/Debian
sudo dnf install xdotool wtype     # Fedora
sudo pacman -S xdotool wtype       # Arch
sudo zypper install xdotool wtype  # openSUSE

Manual Installation

For unsupported or experimental distributions:

1. Run the dependency checker:

   bash scripts/check-system-deps.sh
   

2. Install missing dependencies using your package manager based on the checker output

3. Run the installer with --skip-system-deps:

   ./install.sh --skip-system-deps
   

4. Or install from source in a virtual environment:

   python3 -m venv venv
   source venv/bin/activate
   pip install -e .[whisper]
   

Desktop Environment Compatibility

Desktop Environment	Status	Notes
GNOME	✅ Full Support	Primary target, uses AppIndicator
KDE Plasma	✅ Full Support	Works with AppIndicator
Xfce	✅ Full Support	Works with AppIndicator
Cinnamon	✅ Full Support	Works with AppIndicator
MATE	✅ Full Support	Works with AppIndicator
LXQt	✅ Full Support	Works with AppIndicator
sway	✅ Good Support	Wayland native, uses wtype
i3	✅ Good Support	X11, uses xdotool
Hyprland	⚠️ Experimental	Wayland, may need wtype configuration

Autostart Compatibility

Vocalinux uses XDG autostart desktop entries for "Start on Login".

• Desktop-session autostart file location:
  • $XDG_CONFIG_HOME/autostart/vocalinux.desktop, or
  • ~/.config/autostart/vocalinux.desktop (fallback)
• This launches Vocalinux as a user GUI app after login.
• Vocalinux does not create a systemd service/unit for this feature.

Practical caveat:

• Mainstream desktop environments generally honor XDG autostart.
• Minimal/custom WM sessions may need an explicit autostart manager or WM startup hook.

Display Server

Display Server	Status	Notes
X11	✅ Full Support	Uses xdotool for text injection
Wayland	✅ Full Support	Uses wtype (native) or xdotool (XWayland)
XWayland	✅ Full Support	Automatically detected, falls back to xdotool if needed

Architecture Support

Architecture	Status	Notes
x86_64 (AMD64)	✅ Full Support	Primary target
arm64 (AArch64)	✅ Good Support	Tested on Raspberry Pi, ARM64 servers
armhf	⚠️ Experimental	Limited testing
riscv64	⚠️ Experimental	Limited testing, may need to compile dependencies

Reporting Issues

When reporting issues, please include:

1. Distribution information:

   cat /etc/os-release
   

2. Desktop environment:

   echo $XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP
   echo $SESSION_TYPE
   

3. Dependency checker output:

   bash scripts/check-system-deps.sh
   

4. Python version:

   python3 --version
   

5. Error messages or logs:

   • Any error messages from the installer
   • Output from running vocalinux-gui from terminal
   • Relevant journal logs if applicable

6. Steps to reproduce:

   • What you were trying to do
   • What happened instead
   • Expected behavior

Testing Checklist

Use this checklist when testing on a new distribution:

Pre-Install

• Run dependency checker: bash scripts/check-system-deps.sh
• Note missing packages
• Check desktop environment
• Check display server (X11/Wayland)

Installation

• Run installer: ./install.sh
• Check for errors during installation
• Verify virtual environment was created
• Check wrapper scripts exist

Post-Install

• Launch from terminal: ~/.local/bin/vocalinux-gui
• Launch from application menu
• Verify tray icon appears
• Test keyboard shortcuts (Ctrl+Alt+M by default)
• Test audio recording
• Test text injection in different applications
• Test Settings dialog opens correctly
• Test model download if using Whisper

Known Issues to Watch For

• AppIndicator not showing in tray
• Audio device not detected
• Text injection not working
• Model download failures
• Permission errors with udev/input

Contributing Compatibility Fixes

If you successfully get Vocalinux working on an unsupported or experimental distribution:

1. Test thoroughly using the checklist above
2. Document any distribution-specific requirements
3. Submit a PR with:
   • Distribution detection logic (if needed)
   • Package installation commands
   • Any patches or workarounds required
   • Update to this compatibility document

See Also

• Installation Guide
• Manual Installation
• Troubleshooting
• GitHub Issue Tracker