# Migration Guide: Environment Variable Updates

> Starting with version 2.2.0, all environment variables have been renamed from VOICEMODE prefix to VOICEMODE_ prefix to reflect the project's new name.

- Skill: `tools-only/migration-guide-environment-variable-updates` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 3 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tools-only/migration-guide-environment-variable-updates`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tools-only/migration-guide-environment-variable-updates/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: tools-only (https://skillmd.com/u/tools-only)
- Updated: 2026-09-29
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tools-only/migration-guide-environment-variable-updates

---

# Migration Guide: Environment Variable Updates

## Overview

Starting with version 2.2.0, all environment variables have been renamed from `VOICE_MODE_` prefix to `VOICEMODE_` prefix to reflect the project's new name.

## Environment Variable Changes

### Core Configuration

| Old Variable | New Variable |
|--------------|--------------|
| `VOICE_MODE_DEBUG` | `VOICEMODE_DEBUG` |
| `VOICE_MODE_SAVE_AUDIO` | `VOICEMODE_SAVE_AUDIO` |
| `VOICE_MODE_AUDIO_FEEDBACK` | `VOICEMODE_AUDIO_FEEDBACK` |
| `VOICE_MODE_FEEDBACK_VOICE` | `VOICEMODE_FEEDBACK_VOICE` |
| `VOICE_MODE_FEEDBACK_MODEL` | `VOICEMODE_FEEDBACK_MODEL` |
| `VOICE_MODE_FEEDBACK_STYLE` | `VOICEMODE_FEEDBACK_STYLE` |
| `VOICE_MODE_PREFER_LOCAL` | `VOICEMODE_PREFER_LOCAL` |
| `VOICE_MODE_AUTO_START_KOKORO` | `VOICEMODE_AUTO_START_KOKORO` |

### New Prefixed Variables

These variables previously had no prefix but now use `VOICEMODE_`:

| Old Variable | New Variable |
|--------------|--------------|
| `VOICE_ALLOW_EMOTIONS` | `VOICEMODE_ALLOW_EMOTIONS` |
| `VOICE_EMOTION_AUTO_UPGRADE` | `VOICEMODE_EMOTION_AUTO_UPGRADE` |

### New Audio Format Variables

New variables for configuring audio formats (defaulting to PCM):

- `VOICEMODE_AUDIO_FORMAT` - Primary audio format (default: pcm)
- `VOICEMODE_TTS_AUDIO_FORMAT` - TTS-specific override
- `VOICEMODE_STT_AUDIO_FORMAT` - STT-specific override
- `VOICEMODE_OPUS_BITRATE` - Opus bitrate (default: 32000)
- `VOICEMODE_MP3_BITRATE` - MP3 bitrate (default: 64k)
- `VOICEMODE_AAC_BITRATE` - AAC bitrate (default: 64k)

### Variables That Remain Unchanged

These standard service variables keep their original names:

- `OPENAI_API_KEY`
- `TTS_BASE_URL`
- `STT_BASE_URL`
- `TTS_VOICE`
- `TTS_MODEL`
- `STT_MODEL`
- `LIVEKIT_URL`
- `LIVEKIT_API_KEY`
- `LIVEKIT_API_SECRET`

## Directory Path Changes

Debug and audio directories have also been renamed:

| Old Path | New Path |
|----------|----------|
| `~/voice-mcp_recordings/` | `~/voicemode_recordings/` |
| `~/voice-mcp_audio/` | `~/voicemode_audio/` |

## Migration Steps

1. **Update Environment Variables**
   ```bash
   # Old
   export VOICE_MODE_DEBUG=true
   export VOICE_MODE_SAVE_AUDIO=true
   
   # New
   export VOICEMODE_DEBUG=true
   export VOICEMODE_SAVE_AUDIO=true
   ```

2. **Update Configuration Files**
   - Update `.env` files
   - Update shell configuration (`.bashrc`, `.zshrc`, etc.)
   - Update MCP configuration files

3. **Update Claude Desktop Configuration**
   ```json
   {
     "mcpServers": {
       "voice-mode": {
         "command": "uvx",
         "args": ["voice-mode"],
         "env": {
           "OPENAI_API_KEY": "your-key",
           "VOICEMODE_DEBUG": "true"  // Updated from VOICE_MODE_DEBUG
         }
       }
     }
   }
   ```

4. **Move Existing Debug Files** (optional)
   ```bash
   # Move recordings
   mv ~/voice-mcp_recordings ~/voicemode_recordings
   
   # Move audio files
   mv ~/voice-mcp_audio ~/voicemode_audio
   ```

## Audio Format Migration

The default audio format has changed from MP3 to PCM for optimal streaming performance:

- **To keep using MP3**: Set `VOICEMODE_TTS_AUDIO_FORMAT=mp3`
- **To use the new default (PCM)**: No action required
- **Benefits of PCM**: Zero latency, best real-time performance, no encoding overhead
- **Note**: Opus is NOT recommended for TTS streaming due to quality issues

## Example Configuration

```bash
# Required
export OPENAI_API_KEY="your-openai-key"

# Optional - Debug and audio saving
export VOICEMODE_DEBUG=true
export VOICEMODE_SAVE_AUDIO=true

# Optional - Audio format (defaults to pcm)
export VOICEMODE_AUDIO_FORMAT=pcm
export VOICEMODE_OPUS_BITRATE=32000

# Optional - Provider preferences
export VOICEMODE_PREFER_LOCAL=true
export VOICEMODE_AUTO_START_KOKORO=true

# Optional - Emotional TTS
export VOICEMODE_ALLOW_EMOTIONS=true
```

## Need Help?

If you encounter any issues during migration:
1. Check the [documentation](https://docs.getvoicemode.com)
2. Report issues at [GitHub Issues](https://github.com/mbailey/voicemode/issues)
3. Join our community discussions