NAME
whis — Voice-to-text CLI for terminal users
SYNOPSIS
sudo apt install libvulkan-devINFO
DESCRIPTION
Voice-to-text CLI for terminal users
README
Why?
- Built for AI workflows — speak your prompt, paste to OpenCode, Claude, Codex, ...
- Cloud or local — OpenAI, Mistral, Groq, Deepgram, ElevenLabs, or free with local Whisper
- Simple — record → transcribe → clipboard
Quick Start
# Install cargo install whis-cliSetup (interactive wizard)
whis setup
Run
whis # Press Enter to stop — text copied!
Screenshot

Usage
# Record once whisBackground service mode
whis start # Start background service whis toggle # Toggle recording (bind to your compositor hotkey)
Post-process with AI (presets define the transformation)
whis --post-process
Use with terminal AI assistants
claude "$(whis --as ai-prompt)" # Start session with voice prompt whis --as ai-prompt --print # For shell mode (outputs to stdout)
Presets
whis --as email # Use preset whis preset # List all whis preset new xyz # Print template for new preset whis preset edit xyz # Edit in $EDITOR
Transcribe existing audio
whis -f recording.wav
Help - for you or your helper
whis --help
Installation
cargo install whis-cli
Or download binaries from GitHub Releases.
Requirements
- API key from OpenAI, Mistral, Groq, Deepgram, or ElevenLabs — or use local Whisper/Parakeet (no API key needed)
- Linux only: Vulkan SDK for local transcription
sudo apt install libvulkan-dev vulkan-tools glslc libshaderc-dev # Ubuntu/Debian sudo pacman -S vulkan-headers vulkan-tools shaderc # Arch - Linux (X11/Wayland), macOS, or Windows
For hotkey mode (Linux, pick one):
# Option 1: Compositor keybinding (no permissions needed) # GNOME: Settings > Keyboard > Custom Shortcuts → whis toggle # Sway: bindsym Ctrl+Alt+w exec whis toggle # Hyprland: bind = CTRL ALT, W, exec, whis toggleOption 2: Direct capture
sudo usermod -aG input $USER && logout
Then: whis start
Desktop & Mobile
Development
git clone https://github.com/frankdierolf/whis.git
cd whis
just # List all commands
just install-cli # Build and install CLI
See CONTRIBUTING.md for full setup instructions.
Architecture

License
MIT