Voice Mode

# Configuration Philosophy ## Overview Voice Mode takes a pragmatic approach to configuration that balances MCP best practices with user convenience. While most MCP servers rely solely on host-provided environment variables, Voice Mode also reads from optional configuration files. ## Why Voice Mode Reads Configuration Files ### 1. **Already Managing the Directory** Voice Mode creates and manages the `~/.voicemode/` directory for audio files, logs, and other data. Adding configuration management is a natural extension. ### 2. **User Convenience** - Users can view and edit configuration in a familiar file format - No need to modify multiple host configuration files across different tools - Easier onboarding for new users ### 3. **Reasonable Defaults** Voice Mode can create an initial configuration file with sensible defaults, making it easier for users to understand available options. ## Configuration Precedence Voice Mode follows standard configuration precedence: 1. **Environment variables** (highest priority) - Always win 2. **Project config** (`voicemode.env` in current directory) 3. **User config** (`~/.voicemode/voicemode.env`) 4. **Built-in defaults** (lowest priority) ## Not Against MCP Specification The MCP specification doesn't prohibit servers from reading configuration files. The key principles we maintain: - **Host configuration is authoritative** - Environment variables always override file-based config - **No surprises** - Configuration loading is predictable and documented - **Backwards compatible** - Works perfectly without any config files ## Best of Both Worlds This approach provides: - **MCP compliance** - Hosts can fully control configuration via environment variables - **Standalone usage** - Users can run voice-mode directly with file-based config - **Service integration** - Systemd/launchd services can use the same config files ## Example Usage ```bash # Host-provided (highest priority) export VOICEMODE_VOICES="nova,alloy" # Or in ~/.voicemode/voicemode.env VOICEMODE_VOICES="af_sky,nova" VOICEMODE_WHISPER_MODEL="base" # Environment variables always win over file config ```