Edge-TTS Skill

Overview

Generate high-quality text-to-speech audio using Microsoft Edge's neural TTS service via Python edge-tts. Supports multiple languages, voices, adjustable speed/pitch, and subtitle generation (SRT/VTT).

Quick Start

When you detect TTS intent from triggers or user request:

1. Call the tts tool (Clawdbot built-in) to convert text to speech
2. The tool returns a MEDIA: path
3. Clawdbot routes the audio to the current channel

Trigger Detection

Recognize "tts" keyword as TTS requests. The skill automatically filters out TTS-related keywords from text before conversion.

Advanced Customization

Using the Python Scripts

For more control, use the bundled scripts directly:

TTS Converter

cd scripts
python3 tts_converter.py "Your text" --voice en-US-AriaNeural --rate +10% -o output.mp3
python3 tts_converter.py -f input.txt --voice zh-CN-XiaoxiaoNeural -o output.mp3
python3 tts_converter.py -f input.txt -v zh-CN-YunxiNeural -r "+10%" -o output.mp3 -s output.vtt

Options:

• --voice, -v: Voice name (default: en-US-MichelleNeural)
• --lang, -l: Language code (e.g., en-US, zh-CN)
• --rate, -r: Rate adjustment (e.g., +10%, -20%)
• --volume: Volume adjustment (e.g., +0%, -50%)
• --pitch: Pitch adjustment (e.g., +0Hz, -10Hz)
• --output, -o: Output file path (default: temp file)
• --subtitles, -s: Save subtitles to file (.vtt or .srt)
• --file, -f: Read text from file
• --proxy, -p: Proxy URL
• --timeout: Receive timeout in seconds (default: 60)
• --list-voices, -L: List available voices
• --lang-filter: Filter voices by language (used with --list-voices)

Configuration Manager

cd scripts
python3 config_manager.py --set voice zh-CN-XiaoxiaoNeural
python3 config_manager.py --set rate "+10%"
python3 config_manager.py --get
python3 config_manager.py --reset

Voice Selection

Common voices (use --list-voices for full list):

English:

• en-US-MichelleNeural (female, natural, default)
• en-US-AriaNeural (female, natural)
• en-US-GuyNeural (male, natural)
• en-GB-SoniaNeural (female, British)
• en-GB-RyanNeural (male, British)

Chinese:

• zh-CN-XiaoxiaoNeural (female)
• zh-CN-YunyangNeural (male, news style)
• zh-CN-YunxiNeural (male, natural)

Other Languages:

• es-ES-ElviraNeural (Spanish)
• fr-FR-DeniseNeural (French)
• de-DE-KatjaNeural (German)
• ja-JP-NanamiNeural (Japanese)
• ar-SA-ZariyahNeural (Arabic)

Rate Guidelines

Rate values use percentage format:

• "+0%": Normal speed (default)
• "-20%" to "-10%": Slow, clear (tutorials, stories, accessibility)
• "+10%" to "+20%": Slightly fast (summaries)
• "+30%" to "+50%": Fast (news, efficiency)

Resources

scripts/tts_converter.py

Main TTS conversion script using edge-tts. Generates audio files with customizable voice, rate, volume, pitch. Supports subtitle generation (VTT/SRT) and voice listing.

scripts/config_manager.py

Manages persistent user preferences for TTS settings. Stores config in ~/.tts-config.json.

Voice Testing

Test different voices and preview audio quality at: https://tts.travisvn.com/

Installation

pip install edge-tts

Workflow

1. Detect intent: Check for "tts" trigger or keyword in user message
2. Choose method: Use built-in tts tool for simple requests, or scripts/tts_converter.py for customization
3. Generate audio: Convert the target text
4. Return to user: The tts tool returns a MEDIA: path; Clawdbot handles delivery

Testing

Basic Test

cd scripts
python3 tts_converter.py "Hello, this is a test." -o test-output.mp3

Chinese Test

python3 tts_converter.py "这是一个测试" -v zh-CN-XiaoxiaoNeural -o test-zh.mp3

List Voices

python3 tts_converter.py --list-voices --lang-filter zh

Configuration Test

python3 config_manager.py --get
python3 config_manager.py --set voice en-US-GuyNeural
python3 config_manager.py --get voice

Notes

• edge-tts uses Microsoft Edge's online TTS service
• No API key needed (free service)
• Output is MP3 format by default
• Requires internet connection
• Supports subtitle generation (standard VTT/SRT format)
• Temporary File Handling: By default, audio files are saved to the system's temporary directory with unique filenames. Specify a custom output path with --output for permanent storage.
• TTS keyword filtering: Automatically filters out TTS-related keywords from text before conversion
• Neural voices (ending in Neural) provide higher quality