PiperRead
Privacy-First Neural Text-to-Speech for Linux
Total Privacy
100% local processing powered by Piper Neural TTS. Your text never leaves your machine. No cloud, no tracking, no compromises.
Zero Latency
Instant playback with no network delays. Select text and hear it immediately - perfect for real-time workflows.
Universal Linux
Automatically detects Wayland or X11. Works seamlessly on Debian 12/13 and compatible distributions.
Smart Selection
Prioritizes mouse selection, falls back to clipboard. One-click reading from any application.
Isolated Install
Runs in its own Python virtual environment. Your system stays clean and conflict-free.
Natural Voice
High-quality neural synthesis that sounds human. Comfortable listening for extended sessions.
Use Cases
♿ Accessibility
Quick content reading for people with visual impairment or eye fatigue.
📈 Productivity
Listen to articles or documents while working on other tasks.
✍️ Proofreading
Catch errors by hearing your text read by a neutral voice.
Quick Start
1. Install Prerequisites
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y python3 python3-venv python3-pip alsa-utils wl-clipboard xsel
2. Clone and Initialize
git clone https://github.com/RonanDavalan/PiperRead.git
cd PiperRead
python3 -m venv piper-env
./piper-env/bin/pip install piper-tts
# Download voice model
mkdir -p voices && cd voices
wget https://huggingface.co/rhasspy/piper-voices/resolve/main/en/en_US/lessac/medium/en_US-lessac-medium.onnx
wget https://huggingface.co/rhasspy/piper-voices/resolve/main/en/en_US/lessac/medium/en_US-lessac-medium.onnx.json
3. Desktop Integration
chmod 700 read.sh
mkdir -p ~/.local/share/applications
cp Ressources/PiperRead.desktop ~/.local/share/applications/
update-desktop-database ~/.local/share/applications
4. Use It!
Select any text → Click PiperRead in your app menu → Instant playback
🤖 Built with Vibe Coding
A hybrid Human-AI collaboration experiment in software development
Project Lead & QA
AI Architect & Planner
Technical Consultants
TTS Engine