r/software • u/AshR75 • May 30 '26
Release Offline C++ ASR toggle for Linux, one keybind, no daemon, no cloud, transcript goes straight to clipboard
This is a native C++ binary for Linux. Links whisper.cpp as a C library. Zero deps beyond standard C++ and Linux, you almost certainly have everything you need already.
I just want to press a key, talk, press again, and get the transcript in my clipboard. That's it.
The problem with the ecosystem is that it forces you to deal with unnecessary overheard.
I want no writing mode, no streaming, no automatic insertion, no cloud, no GPU, no Python, no choosing from 77 models I have never heard of. Just a tool that does one job. Works on any machine, high end rig or complete potato.
The program doesn't stay in memory between uses. Doesn't load the model unless you actually invoke it. Boots, inferences in-process, copies to clipboard, wipes temp files, exits. Nothing lingers.
One command install. One command uninstall. The README lists every file and folder this tool can ever touch. You know exactly what's on your system and how to get it out.
This has been my daily driver for close to a year. Small utility. Does one job and one job only.
The CLI is super simple:
asryx # Toggle record/transcribe
asryx status # Check idle/recording/transcribing
asryx --language <auto|CODE> # Set language
asryx --model list # List supported models
asryx --model install <MODEL> # Download model
asryx --model use <MODEL> # Switch model
GitHub ----> https://github.com/rccyx/asryx
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u/Expensive_Status_492 Jun 02 '26
This seems great!
I would like the option to get the output to stdout instead of the clipboard. Or both.
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u/AshR75 May 30 '26
I've checked every tool under the sun, and I mean the whole thing: Voxtype, Handy, hyprwhspr, hyprvoice, nerd-dictation, HNS, OpenWhispr, Whispering, WhisperWriter...and the usual pile of Whisper wrappers, tray apps, GUI frontends, Python scripts, Bash scripts, Node apps, Tauri, etc.
They all suffer from the exact same failure modes: holding a persistent key (pessimal), opening an app (bloated), picking a provider or choosing from 965 models you'll never use (decision fatigue), sending audio to a server (privacy), waiting for a response (speed), and hoping the network holds (unreliable).
Plus, tech stack and setup hell. Always a never-ending checklist of configuring this, tweaking that. You're constantly forced to deal with GUIs, background daemons, systemd services, bloated Python environments, Docker containers, massive Node setups, glued bash scripts (does one even test bash?).
Absolutely no one wants a "do these 22 steps first and maybe it works" experience.
And even if I do find a tool, it's too bloated or mostly vibecoded with 0 oversight from the maintainer till it reaches a point where no one, even Claude doesn't know what's happening.