# Voco

> A free local first Linux dictation utility powered by whisper.cpp and a global keyboard shortcut.

- Canonical page: [https://www.sergiopesch.com/projects/voco](https://www.sergiopesch.com/projects/voco)
- Content type: project
- Published: 2025-02-12
- Content updated: 2026-07-13
- Repository created: 2025-02-12
- Repository updated: 2026-07-11
- Author: [Sergio Peschiera](https://www.sergiopesch.com/about)
- Topics: Linux, whisper.cpp, Local AI, Desktop dictation
- Source code: [https://github.com/sergiopesch/voco](https://github.com/sergiopesch/voco)
- Source code license: [MIT License](https://spdx.org/licenses/MIT.html)
- License verified: 2026-07-13

## Content

I switched to Linux a few weeks ago after becoming disappointed with Apple and its MacBook Pro. These used to be the creme de la creme when it came to high end laptops. I do not believe that still holds true anymore. These machines are very heavy, no longer as aesthetically impressive as they once were, and still are very expensive. I decided to try out a Lenovo ThinkPad because of my keen interest in experimenting with Linux. I love it, and with the current advancements in agents operating in CLIs, I now have a machine that is very powerful at a third of the price with assistants helping learn how to use it and build things for it.

With this new change come new challenges. Not all the applications I was used to, or potential new ones, are immediately available. That can also be seen as a great opportunity to learn and build.

This is where Voco, my latest mini project, enters the conversation. I loved seeing how people are now dictating to their CLIs instead of typing, not just to CLIs, but in fact to a lot of applications. I really liked the idea and wanted to give it a try. To my surprise, Whisper Flow is not yet available on Linux. But what if I could build it myself? That could save me a few pounds at the expense of some precious tokens.

Voco is a free, open source desktop dictation tool for Linux. You press Alt+D, speak, and your words appear wherever your cursor is. Everything runs locally using whisper.cpp.

Just install it and go.

## Provenance and freshness

This is a first party account by the project author. Page content was last updated on 2026-07-13. The linked repository last changed on 2026-07-11. Linked repositories and live services may change independently.

### Primary sources

- [Source code](https://github.com/sergiopesch/voco)