Vocalinux
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Ubuntu Setup Guide

Install Voice Dictation on Ubuntu

This Ubuntu guide is tuned for practical desktop use: terminals, browsers, IDEs, office suites, and chat apps. Local engines keep audio on your machine after the one-time model download. Remote API is optional.

Install command

curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/VocaHQ/vocalinux/main/install.sh -o /tmp/vl.sh bash /tmp/vl.sh

Prerequisites

  • Ubuntu 24.04 or newer (Ubuntu 22.04 ships Python 3.10, below the 3.11 floor)
  • Python 3.11+ with the distro's python3-gi (the installer handles this)
  • Working microphone
  • curl installed (sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y curl)

Supported on

  • Ubuntu 24.04 LTS and newer: full support
  • Ubuntu-based derivatives on a 24.04 base, such as Linux Mint 22, Pop!_OS 24.04, elementary OS 8 and Zorin OS on 24.04

Support levels come from the project’s distribution compatibility matrix. They describe expected compatibility, not a list of test machines.

Other install options for Ubuntu

Native .deb package

Download the .deb for your CPU from GitHub Releases (arm64 files are attached too). It is a thin package: Python and GTK come from the distro, whisper.cpp runs on the CPU, and there is no auto-update. On Wayland, add yourself to the input group (sudo usermod -aG input $USER, then log out and back in) or the default hotkey stays off.

sudo apt install ./vocalinux_*_amd64.deb

Flatpak from the VocaHQ remote

Not on Flathub. The self-hosted vocahq remote updates with flatpak update and ships whisper.cpp only.

flatpak install https://vocahq.github.io/vocalinux-flatpak/com.vocalinux.Vocalinux.flatpakref

Compare every package format on theinstall overview, or read theFlatpak guide.

Setup notes for Ubuntu

  1. Keep the default whisper.cpp engine: it installs in about 1-2 minutes and uses a Vulkan GPU when one is available.
  2. On lower-RAM systems, VOSK is the lightweight option (--engine=vosk with the install script).
  3. On KDE Plasma Wayland (Kubuntu), set System Settings → Keyboard → Virtual Keyboard to IBus Wayland.
  4. The install script adds you to the input group for Wayland hotkeys; log out and back in afterwards.

Post-install checklist

  • Run vocalinux --version to confirm the installed release.
  • Launch vocalinux and confirm the tray icon appears. On GNOME, the tray needs the AppIndicator extension.
  • Hold Right Alt (Option) to dictate, or switch to toggle mode in Settings → Shortcuts, and confirm text lands in a terminal and a browser.
  • If anything misbehaves, run vocalinux --debug and check the troubleshooting guide.
  • Set language and model size in Settings → Speech Model for your workload.

Need help selecting an engine? Read theengine comparison. Stuck? Seetroubleshooting.