- name
- whisnap
- description
- macOS CLI for transcribing audio and video files using local Whisper models or Whisnap Cloud.
- homepage
- https://whisnap.com
- metadata
- {"clawdbot":{"emoji":"🎙️","requires":{"bins":["whisnap"]},"install":[{"id":"app","kind":"manual","label":"Install via Whisnap app Settings → Advanced → Enable CLI"}]}}
whisnap
Use whisnap for transcribing audio/video files from the terminal. Requires the Whisnap macOS app with at least one model downloaded.
Setup (once)
- Open Whisnap app → Settings → Advanced → Enable CLI (creates
/usr/local/bin/whisnapsymlink) - Download at least one Whisper model in the app
Common commands
- Transcribe audio:
whisnap recording.wav - Transcribe video:
whisnap meeting.mp4 - Cloud transcription:
whisnap recording.wav --cloud - JSON output with timestamps:
whisnap lecture.m4a --json - Specific model:
whisnap interview.wav -m small-q5_1 - Cloud + JSON:
whisnap recording.wav --cloud --json - List downloaded models:
whisnap --list-models - Verbose diagnostics:
whisnap recording.wav -v
Supported formats
- Audio: WAV, MP3, FLAC, M4A, OGG
- Video: MP4, MOV, MKV, WebM
Flags
-c, --cloud— Use Whisnap Cloud instead of local model (requires sign-in)-m, --model <ID>— Override model (e.g.,small-q5_1). Defaults to app's selected model.-j, --json— Structured JSON output with text, segments, timestamps, model info-v, --verbose— Print progress and diagnostics to stderr--list-models— List available models and exit
JSON output format
{
"text": "transcribed text",
"segments": [{ "start_ms": 0, "end_ms": 1000, "text": "segment" }],
"model": "small-q5_1",
"backend": "whisper",
"processing_time_ms": 5000
}Notes
- The CLI reuses models and settings from the Whisnap app (
~/Library/Application Support/com.whisnap.desktop/). - Cloud mode requires authentication — sign in via the app first.
- For scripting, use
--jsonand pipe stdout. Diagnostics go to stderr. - Exit code
0= success,1= error. - Only Whisper models are supported in CLI mode (not Parakeet).
- Confirm the file path exists before transcribing — the CLI validates but does not search.