Chrisper

A real-time global dictation utility for macOS (Apple Silicon) that streams audio to Google Cloud Speech-to-Text V2 and types the text into your active window.

Features

• Real-time Dictation: Streams audio to Google Cloud STT V2 (Chirp 2 model).
• Live Typing: Simulates typing with interim results (backspaces and retypes).
• System Tray: Runs in the menu bar with a status indicator.
• Global Hotkeys:
  • Toggle Recording: Cmd + Shift + Space
  • Cancel Recording: Escape

Prerequisites

System Dependencies

This tool requires portaudio for audio capture.

brew install portaudio

Google Cloud Setup

1. Create a Google Cloud Project.
2. Enable the Cloud Speech-to-Text API (specifically V2).
3. Set up authentication:
   • Create a Service Account.
   • Download the JSON key file.
   • Set the environment variable:

     export GOOGLE_APPLICATION_CREDENTIALS="/path/to/your/service-account-key.json"

     Note: For the .app bundle, you might need to launch it from a shell that has this variable set, or hardcode/configure it within the app.

Installation

Build from Source

1. Clone the repository.
2. Run the build script:

   ./build_app.sh

3. Move Chrisper.app to your Applications folder:

   mv Chrisper.app /Applications/

Usage

1. Launch: Open Chrisper.app from your Applications folder.
2. Permissions:
   • The first time you run it, macOS will prompt for Microphone access.
   • It will also likely request Accessibility and Input Monitoring permissions. You must grant these in System Settings > Privacy & Security.
   • Tip: If it doesn't type, remove "Chrisper" from Accessibility/Input Monitoring and add it back.
3. Dictate:
   • Look for the icon in the menu bar.
   • Press Cmd + Shift + Space to start.
   • Speak and watch it type!