Local CLI
Run an installed command as the AI enhancement provider for a Mode.
Local CLI sends VoiceInk's enhancement prompt to an installed command and uses its standard output as the enhanced result. It does not transcribe audio.
Set Up
- Install and authenticate the CLI you want to use outside VoiceInk.
- Open AI Models → Local → Local CLI.
- Load a Pi, Claude, Codex, or Copilot template, or enter your own command.
- Adjust the command and timeout for your installed tool.
- In a Mode, enable AI Enhancement and select Local CLI.
Templates are starting points. You must have the tool installed and its account or model available. Its command determines the model; the Mode's enhancement model picker does not override CLI arguments.
Prompt Input and Output
VoiceInk provides these environment variables:
| Variable | Contents |
|---|---|
VOICEINK_SYSTEM_PROMPT | Enhancement instructions and available configured context. |
VOICEINK_USER_PROMPT | User message payload. |
VOICEINK_FULL_PROMPT | Combined system and user messages. |
Custom commands receive the full prompt on standard input. The unchanged built-in Claude and Codex templates pass it as an argument instead and use an empty standard input.
Print only the final text to stdout. A command returning an error status, empty output, or exceeding its timeout fails enhancement. The command runs through /bin/zsh -lc with your user permissions.
Timeouts and Troubleshooting
Local CLI has its own timeout, default 45 seconds, with a minimum of 5 seconds. If the tool cannot be found, use its absolute executable path or correct the shell PATH. Authentication prompts and interactive commands are not suitable for producing a direct result.
Local CLI cannot review Dictionary Auto Learn corrections. Running a command locally does not imply its model is local: many CLI tools send the prompt to hosted services.
Custom Command output is a different feature. It runs after transcription and optional enhancement to deliver the final text; Local CLI runs during enhancement to generate that text.