Voice Type

A cross-platform voice-to-text application that types what you speak. Hold a hotkey to record, release to transcribe and type.

Features

• Cross-platform: Linux (X11/Wayland) and macOS
• Native UI: System tray icon + recording popup near cursor
• Real-time transcription: Uses Z.AI API for accurate speech recognition
• Global hotkey: Hold Alt/Option to record, release to type

Supported Platforms

Platform	Hotkey	Typing	Tray	Popup
Linux (Wayland)	Alt	wtype, ydotool	ksni	GTK
Linux (X11)	Alt	xdotool, ydotool	ksni	GTK
macOS	Option	enigo	NSStatusItem	NSWindow

Requirements

Linux

• input group membership for hotkey detection:

  sudo usermod -a -G input $USER
  # Log out and back in for changes to take effect

• Typing tool (install one):

  # Wayland (recommended)
  sudo pacman -S wtype      # Arch
  sudo apt install wtype    # Debian/Ubuntu
  
  # X11
  sudo apt install xdotool
  
  # Universal (works on both)
  sudo pacman -S ydotool    # Arch
  yay -S ydotool

macOS

• Accessibility permissions:
  • System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility
  • Add the app to the list

Installation

From Source

git clone https://github.com/yourname/voice-type.git
cd voice-type

# Linux (default, ksni tray)
cargo build --release

# Linux (GTK tray - for XFCE, MATE, etc.)
cargo build --release --features gtk-tray

# macOS
cargo build --release

Usage

1. Set your API token:

   export ZAI_API_TOKEN=your_token_here

2. Run the application:

   ./target/release/voice-type

3. Hold Alt (Linux) or Option (macOS) to start recording

4. Speak your text

5. Release the key to transcribe and type

Autostart

Linux (Sway)

Add to ~/.config/sway/config:

exec env ZAI_API_TOKEN=your_key /path/to/voice-type

Linux (systemd)

Create ~/.config/systemd/user/voice-type.service:

[Unit]
Description=Voice Type
After=graphical-session.target

[Service]
Environment=ZAI_API_TOKEN=your_token_here
ExecStart=/path/to/voice-type
Restart=on-failure

[Install]
WantedBy=default.target

Then:

systemctl --user enable --now voice-type

macOS

Add to Login Items in System Settings → General → Login Items.

Configuration

Environment Variables

Variable	Description	Required
ZAI_API_TOKEN	API token from z.ai	Yes

Building Features

Feature	Description	Default
gtk-tray	Use GTK/libappindicator for tray (XFCE, MATE)	No

Troubleshooting

Problem	Fix
"No keyboard device found"	Add yourself to the input group and re-login
"No typing tool found"	Install wtype, ydotool, or xdotool
API errors / auth failure	Check that ZAI_API_TOKEN is set and valid
No tray icon	Ensure your bar supports StatusNotifierItem (waybar, etc.)
macOS: Typing doesn't work	Grant Accessibility permissions in System Settings

License

MIT