Add Voice Transcription

This skill adds automatic voice message transcription to NanoClaw's WhatsApp channel using OpenAI's Whisper API. When a voice note arrives, it is downloaded, transcribed, and delivered to the agent as [Voice: <transcript>].

Phase 1: Pre-flight

Check if already applied

Check if src/transcription.ts exists. If it does, skip to Phase 3 (Configure). The code changes are already in place.

Ask the user

Use AskUserQuestion to collect information:

AskUserQuestion: Do you have an OpenAI API key for Whisper transcription?

If yes, collect it now. If no, direct them to create one at https://platform.openai.com/api-keys.

Phase 2: Apply Code Changes

Prerequisite: WhatsApp must be installed first (skill/whatsapp merged). This skill modifies WhatsApp channel files.

Ensure WhatsApp fork remote

git remote -v

If whatsapp is missing, add it:

git remote add whatsapp https://github.com/qwibitai/nanoclaw-whatsapp.git

Merge the skill branch

git fetch whatsapp skill/voice-transcription
git merge whatsapp/skill/voice-transcription || {
  git checkout --theirs package-lock.json
  git add package-lock.json
  git merge --continue
}

This merges in:

src/transcription.ts (voice transcription module using OpenAI Whisper)
Voice handling in src/channels/whatsapp.ts (isVoiceMessage check, transcribeAudioMessage call)
Transcription tests in src/channels/whatsapp.test.ts
openai npm dependency in package.json
OPENAI_API_KEY in .env.example

If the merge reports conflicts, resolve them by reading the conflicted files and understanding the intent of both sides.

Validate code changes

npm install --legacy-peer-deps
npm run build
npx vitest run src/channels/whatsapp.test.ts

All tests must pass and build must be clean before proceeding.

Phase 3: Configure

Get OpenAI API key (if needed)

If the user doesn't have an API key:

I need you to create an OpenAI API key:

Go to https://platform.openai.com/api-keys

Click "Create new secret key"

Give it a name (e.g., "NanoClaw Transcription")

Copy the key (starts with sk-)

Cost: ~~$0.006 per minute of audio (~~$0.003 per typical 30-second voice note)

Wait for the user to provide the key.

Add to environment

Add to .env:

OPENAI_API_KEY=<their-key>

Sync to container environment:

mkdir -p data/env && cp .env data/env/env

The container reads environment from data/env/env, not .env directly.

Build and restart

npm run build
launchctl kickstart -k gui/$(id -u)/com.nanoclaw  # macOS
# Linux: systemctl --user restart nanoclaw

Phase 4: Verify

Test with a voice note

Tell the user:

Send a voice note in any registered WhatsApp chat. The agent should receive it as [Voice: <transcript>] and respond to its content.

Check logs if needed

tail -f logs/nanoclaw.log | grep -i voice

Look for:

Transcribed voice message — successful transcription with character count
OPENAI_API_KEY not set — key missing from .env
OpenAI transcription failed — API error (check key validity, billing)
Failed to download audio message — media download issue

Troubleshooting

Voice notes show "[Voice Message - transcription unavailable]"

Check OPENAI_API_KEY is set in .env AND synced to data/env/env
Verify key works: curl -s https://api.openai.com/v1/models -H "Authorization: Bearer $OPENAI_API_KEY" | head -c 200
Check OpenAI billing — Whisper requires a funded account

Voice notes show "[Voice Message - transcription failed]"

Check logs for the specific error. Common causes:

Network timeout — transient, will work on next message
Invalid API key — regenerate at https://platform.openai.com/api-keys
Rate limiting — wait and retry

Agent doesn't respond to voice notes

Verify the chat is registered and the agent is running. Voice transcription only runs for registered groups.

add-voice-transcription