Free speech-to-text on Ubuntu GNOME and Wayland

Install Cursay for your user account

The installer prepares the app, user services, clipboard tools and a local Whisper runtime. It also downloads the initial speech model unless you choose to defer it. This is a user-level installation; missing system GTK or Python desktop packages are reported with the exact Ubuntu command needed.

You can install from the repository using the commands below. For a versioned release, check the GitHub release archive and its SHA-256 file. The Ubuntu source guide is the reference for installer options and system requirements.

git clone https://github.com/shadoprizm/cursay.git
cd cursay
./install.sh

Approve the shortcut and enable paste

Open Cursay from the app launcher. Approve the Global Shortcuts permission dialog and keep the suggested shortcut or choose another. The normal default is Ctrl + Space. The shortcut portal handles the approved shortcut; Cursay does not request Remote Desktop permission.

Automatic paste uses a narrow keyboard-only input device. If the installer reports that /dev/uinput is protected, run the supplied setup script below. Ubuntu asks for administrator authentication to install the rule. Without it, dictation and clipboard copy still work.

./scripts/enable-autopaste.sh

Dictate with local Whisper

Pauses do not end push-to-talk recording; releasing the shortcut does. The first model download requires internet, while later local transcription can work offline. Raw mode keeps the transcript apart from edge whitespace and skips Smart Polish.

Local history and settings stay in your user’s data directories. Audio is temporary by default; preserve recordings only if you explicitly enable that option.

1. Select Local Whisper in Cursay Settings.
2. Focus a text field and hold your approved shortcut.
3. Speak naturally, then release the keys. Cursay transcribes, verifies the clipboard and pastes where supported.

Troubleshoot shortcut, clipboard and terminals

If the shortcut does nothing, open Settings → Change shortcut and approve it again. If the transcript copies but does not paste, check the automatic-paste service and try an ordinary text editor. Cursay avoids pasting stale clipboard content when verification fails.

Some Ubuntu terminals use Ctrl + Shift + V instead of ordinary Ctrl + V. Terminal-specific paste work is still under development, so the published app may require manual paste in that target. Do not assume every application accepts the same paste shortcut.

For optional Pro cloud on Ubuntu, link your account and confirm active Pro or trial access. Protected token storage uses GNOME Secret Service; the source guide documents the optional libsecret-tools dependency.

Common questions

Sources and next steps

This guide follows the Cursay source setup guide and published release assets. Availability may change; check those sources before installing.

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