use-local-whisper

Switch voice transcription from the OpenAI Whisper API to local whisper.cpp on macOS Apple Silicon.

Updated Apr 13, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/nrupala/nanoclaw --skill use-local-whisper-nrupala
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: use-local-whisper
Source: https://github.com/nrupala/nanoclaw/tree/main/.claude/skills/use-local-whisper
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/nrupala/nanoclaw --skill use-local-whisper-nrupala

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Switches to on-device whisper.cpp transcription, eliminating reliance on external API and API keys for voice transcription.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • On-device transcription using whisper.cpp, with no network calls or API costs.
  • WhatsApp channel support (additional channels require channel-specific audio download logic).
  • Privacy-centric, low-latency transcription suitable for on-device workflows.

Quick Start

Install whisper-cpp on macOS Apple Silicon, apply the voice-transcription skill first, and enable this skill to run local whisper-based transcription.

Frequently Asked Questions about use-local-whisper

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I run local voice transcription for WhatsApp without using the OpenAI API?▼

You can achieve local voice transcription by switching to a whisper.cpp implementation that runs entirely on-device. This eliminates external API reliance, removing network calls and API costs for WhatsApp audio transcription.

What do I need to set up whisper.cpp transcription on macOS Apple Silicon?▼

To set up whisper.cpp transcription on macOS Apple Silicon, install whisper-cpp, apply the voice-transcription skill first, and place a GGML model file in the data/models directory.

Can I use on-device whisper transcription for channels other than WhatsApp?▼

On-device whisper transcription currently supports WhatsApp channels. Extending to other channels requires implementing channel-specific audio download logic to fetch the voice messages before transcription.

Does local voice transcription with whisper.cpp require an internet connection?▼

Local voice transcription with whisper.cpp does not require an internet connection. The process runs entirely on-device, offering a privacy-centric, low-latency transcription solution without network calls.

Why does my local whisper transcription require a GGML model file?▼

Your local whisper transcription requires a GGML model file because whisper.cpp uses this specific format to run inference. You must have the model file available in the data/models directory to process audio.