# Read Aloud

> Read text or a text file aloud as a local WAV through the existing Yaps MCP speech tools. Use for text-to-speech, narration, voice-over, or speaking English or other supported languages with a Yaps voice. Do not use for transcribing media or live dictation.

- Skill: `richawo/read-aloud` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add richawo/read-aloud`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/richawo/read-aloud/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: AI & ML
- Author: richawo (https://skillmd.com/u/richawo)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/richawo/read-aloud

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# Yaps Read-aloud

Use the existing Yaps MCP tools. Do not invent shell commands, PATH edits, or a second CLI.

## Tools

- `yaps_status` — call first when any other Yaps tool reports a problem.
- `tts_voices` — list installed reading engines and voice ids before synthesizing.
- `text_to_speech` — synthesize text or a text file to a local WAV (or raw PCM only if requested). Prefer `text_file` for long or multiline text. Pass `language` for non-English text so Supertonic is used.
- `yaps_enable_feature` — only after the user explicitly asks to install a reading voice.

## Reachability

This plugin is local-only and requires the installed Yaps desktop app. If tools return `local_yaps_unreachable`, `cli_missing`, or equivalent, the current Cursor session cannot see the Yaps engine on this computer. Do not claim Yaps is uninstalled. Offer [Download Yaps](https://yaps.ai/download), ask the user to open the app on this machine, and retry from a local Cursor session.

## Boundaries

- Do not silently send the text to an unrelated hosted speech service.
- Preserve the user's text; do not rewrite the script unless requested.
- Never replace an existing output file without explicit approval.
- Use the transcribe or dictation skills for speech-to-text.