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Voice And Buddy

Voice and Buddy make Row-Bot feel less like a text box and more like a desktop companion. Voice handles speech input and optional spoken output. Buddy is the visual companion that reflects app state and can live in the sidebar, workspace, or desktop overlay.

Row-Bot Voice settings.
Voice settings control Dictate, Talk, read-aloud, voice models, devices, and diagnostics.

Voice Modes​

  • Dictate turns speech into composer text so you can review it before sending.
  • Talk submits spoken input more directly for conversation.
  • Read-aloud speaks assistant responses when enabled.
  • Local voice uses local speech components where available.
  • Realtime voice uses a compatible provider for lower-latency spoken conversation.

Choosing A Mode​

Use Dictate when accuracy and review matter. Use Talk when you want a faster hands-light conversation. Use local voice when privacy and offline-style behavior matter. Use realtime voice when latency matters and you accept internet access, provider requirements, and provider cost.

Devices And Diagnostics​

Select the microphone and output device in Settings -> Voice. Run diagnostics when audio is silent, delayed, or routed to the wrong device.

Row-Bot Buddy settings.
Buddy settings control companion visibility, overlay, personality, look, motion, and optional custom-look generation.

Buddy Controls​

  • Enable switches choose sidebar, workspace, or desktop overlay visibility.
  • Open and close overlay manage the separate desktop companion window.
  • Companion personality changes the tone of Buddy cues.
  • Bubble style changes status presentation.
  • Look cards choose bundled or custom appearances.
  • Generate full Buddy, Retry motion, and Use still only manage custom looks.

Privacy And Safety​

Voice input can become chat text. Realtime voice and provider-backed speech may send audio or transcript data to the selected provider. Buddy preferences and assets are local, but custom generation may call a configured media provider.

Troubleshooting​

  • If Dictate records nothing, check microphone selection and permissions.
  • If Talk sends too quickly, use Dictate instead.
  • If realtime voice is unavailable, check Providers and Voice Models.
  • If Buddy does not appear, check Buddy enable switches and overlay state.