inkoscribe
Show HN: I built a local-first macOS transcriber
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What is inkoscribe?
inkoscribe is a private local audio transcription tool for macOS that provides real-time speech-to-text transcription. Your voice data never leaves your Mac - there are no cloud uploads, no servers, and no privacy risks. The tool offers instant, word-by-word transcription as you speak, making it perfect for live meetings, calls, interviews, and videos.
The tool supports two audio sources: system audio for transcribing meetings, calls, and videos, and microphone input for transcribing your own voice. Installation is extremely easy with Homebrew - no accounts, no configuration, and no hassle required. It's ready to use in seconds after installation.
inkoscribe was built by Alex, a hearing-impaired software engineer who needed a local-first, real-time transcription tool for daily use. It transcribes meetings, interviews, and calls entirely on your machine without sending sensitive audio to the cloud. The tool serves as the developer's daily driver and is designed for anyone who values privacy and needs real-time transcription.
The tool is specifically designed for macOS 13+ with M1, M2, M3+ chips. It's ideal for hearing-impaired users, software engineers, professionals in live meetings and calls, anyone handling sensitive audio that shouldn't be uploaded to cloud servers, and users who want instant transcription without setup complexity.
inkoscribe pricing
Pricing model: Freemium
Free and open-source. No paid plans, no subscription fees, no accounts required. The tool is completely free to install and use via Homebrew.
inkoscribe pros
- 100% private - audio never leaves your Mac
- No cloud uploads or servers involved
- Real-time word-by-word transcription
- Perfect for live meetings and calls
- No accounts required
- No configuration or setup needed
- Ready to use in seconds
- Easy Homebrew installation
- Supports system audio input
- Supports microphone input
- Built by a hearing-impaired engineer for daily use
- No privacy risks for sensitive audio
- Local-first processing
- Works for interviews and videos
- Simple command-line interface
inkoscribe cons
- Only works on macOS 13+
- Requires M1, M2, or M3+ chips only
- Command-line interface only
- No graphical user interface
- No Windows or Linux support
- No cloud backup options
- No mobile app available
- Limited to Apple Silicon Macs only
Frequently asked questions about inkoscribe
What is inkoscribe?
inkoscribe is a private local audio transcription tool for macOS that provides real-time speech-to-text transcription. Your voice data never leaves your Mac with no cloud uploads, no servers, and no privacy risks.
Is inkoscribe free?
Yes, inkoscribe is completely free and open-source. There are no paid plans, subscription fees, or accounts required. You can install and use it via Homebrew at no cost.
What macOS versions does inkoscribe support?
inkoscribe requires macOS 13 or later and only works on Apple Silicon Macs with M1, M2, M3 or newer chips.
How do I install inkoscribe?
Install inkoscribe using Homebrew by running two commands: 'brew tap uohzxela/inkoscribe' followed by 'brew install inkoscribe'. It's ready to use in seconds with no configuration required.
Can I use inkoscribe for meetings and calls?
Yes, inkoscribe is perfect for live meetings and calls. Use the system audio mode with 'inkoscribe -s sys' to transcribe meetings, calls, and videos.
Is my audio private with inkoscribe?
Yes, 100% private. Your voice data never leaves your Mac. There are no cloud uploads, no servers, and no privacy risks. All transcription happens locally on your machine.
What audio sources does inkoscribe support?
inkoscribe supports two audio sources: system audio (for meetings, calls, videos) using 'inkoscribe -s sys', and microphone input (for your voice) using 'inkoscribe -s mic'.
Why was inkoscribe built?
inkoscribe was built by Alex, a hearing-impaired software engineer who needed a local-first, real-time transcription tool for daily use. It was created to transcribe meetings, interviews, and calls entirely on the machine without sending sensitive audio to the cloud.
Does inkoscribe have a graphical interface?
No, inkoscribe uses a simple command-line interface. You interact with it through terminal commands like 'inkoscribe -s sys' or 'inkoscribe -s mic'.
Who should use inkoscribe?
inkoscribe is ideal for hearing-impaired users, software engineers, professionals attending live meetings and calls, anyone handling sensitive audio that shouldn't be uploaded to cloud servers, and users who value privacy and need real-time transcription without setup complexity.