use-local-whisper

Transcribes voice messages locally using your own hardware and installed fonts.

1|Updated Mar 9, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/breakcafe/picoclaw --skill use-local-whisper-breakcafe
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: use-local-whisper
Source: https://github.com/breakcafe/picoclaw/tree/main/.claude/skills/use-local-whisper
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/breakcafe/picoclaw --skill use-local-whisper-breakcafe

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Transcribe voice messages locally using whisper.cpp to avoid API keys, network usage, and costs.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • On-device transcription for WhatsApp voice messages, eliminating reliance on external services.
  • Uses whisper-cli and a GGML model with ffmpeg for audio conversion, supporting Apple Silicon and x86 environments.
  • Phase-based integration: requires the voice-transcription skill, configurable WHISPER_BIN and WHISPER_MODEL.

Quick Start

Apply the voice-transcription skill for WhatsApp, then enable use-local-whisper and start transcribing voice messages locally.

Frequently Asked Questions about use-local-whisper

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I transcribe WhatsApp voice messages locally without API keys?▼

You can transcribe WhatsApp voice messages locally by applying the voice-transcription skill and then enabling on-device processing with whisper.cpp. This approach uses ffmpeg for audio conversion and whisper-cli for transcription to avoid API keys, network usage, and costs.

What is on-device transcription with whisper.cpp?▼

On-device transcription with whisper.cpp is the process of converting audio to text entirely on your local machine. It uses a GGML model and whisper-cli to process audio files without sending data to external servers or requiring network access.

Does local voice transcription work with Apple Silicon and x86 environments?▼

Yes, local voice transcription with whisper.cpp supports both Apple Silicon and x86 environments. The transcription pipeline utilizes ffmpeg for audio conversion and whisper-cli, which is compatible with these architectures when configured properly.

Do I need to install ffmpeg and whisper-cli to transcribe audio on my device?▼

Yes, you need ffmpeg for audio conversion and whisper-cli for transcription to process voice messages on your device. The system uses these tools alongside a GGML model, so they must be available in your environment.

How do I configure WHISPER_BIN and WHISPER_MODEL for local transcription?▼

You configure local transcription by setting the WHISPER_BIN and WHISPER_MODEL environment variables to point to your whisper-cli executable and GGML model. The system respects these variables during the transcription process.

Why does local voice transcription require the voice-transcription skill first?▼

Local voice transcription requires the voice-transcription skill first because it provides the foundational phase-based integration needed to detect and handle WhatsApp voice messages. The local whisper.cpp processing builds on top of this prerequisite setup.