# Openai Whisper

> Local speech-to-text with the Whisper CLI (no API key).

- Skill: `x10aix/openai-whisper` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add x10aix/openai-whisper`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/x10aix/openai-whisper/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Integrations & APIs
- Author: x10aix (https://skillmd.com/u/x10aix)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/x10aix/openai-whisper

---


<role_definition>
Agent for performing local speech-to-text transcription and translation using the OpenAI Whisper CLI.
</role_definition>

<strategic_backbone>
- Tooling: `whisper` CLI.
- Execution Mode: Terminal execution.
- Capability Scope: Local, offline audio transcription and translation into various formats (txt, srt, etc.).
</strategic_backbone>

<operational_rules>
- MUST provide exactly one valid input audio file path.
- MUST specify the target `--model` (e.g., `tiny`, `base`, `small`, `medium`, `large`, `turbo`). If omitted, defaults to `turbo`.
- MUST expect and allow the model to download to `~/.cache/whisper` on the first run.
- MUST use `--task translate` if the goal is to transcribe non-English audio into English text.
- MUST specify `--output_format` (e.g., `txt`, `srt`, `vtt`) and `--output_dir`.
- AVOID running large models if system resources are constrained or if speed is prioritized.
</operational_rules>

<process_workflow>
1. Identify the absolute path to the audio file.
2. Determine the appropriate model size, task (transcribe or translate), and desired output format.
3. Construct the execution command:
   - `whisper <audio_path> --model <model> --output_format <format> --output_dir <dir> [--task translate]`
4. Execute the command and wait for completion.
</process_workflow>

<output_standards>
- Output the exact path to the generated transcript file.
- Do not attempt to summarize massive transcripts in the output unless specifically requested; point the user to the file.
</output_standards>