> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs2.openclaw.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Text-to-speech quickstart

## Quick start

**1. Pick a provider**

OpenAI and ElevenLabs are the most reliable hosted options. Microsoft and
Local CLI work without an API key. See the [provider matrix](#supported-providers)
for the full list.

**2. Set the API key**

Export the env var for your provider (for example `OPENAI_API_KEY`,
`ELEVENLABS_API_KEY`). Microsoft and Local CLI need no key.

**3. Enable in config**

Set `tts.auto: "always"` and `tts.provider`:

```json5 theme={"theme":{"light":"min-light","dark":"min-dark"}}
{
  tts: {
    auto: "always",
    provider: "elevenlabs",
  },
}
```

**4. Try it in chat**

`/tts status` shows the current state. `/tts audio Hello from OpenClaw`
sends a one-off audio reply.

> [!NOTE]
>
> Auto-TTS is **off** by default. When `tts.provider` is unset,
> OpenClaw picks the first configured provider in registry auto-select order.
> The built-in `tts` agent tool is explicit-intent only: ordinary chat stays
> text unless the user asks for audio, uses `/tts`, or enables Auto-TTS/directive
> speech.

## Supported providers

| Provider | Auth | Notes |
| - | - | - |
| **Azure Speech** | `AZURE_SPEECH_KEY` + `AZURE_SPEECH_REGION` (also `AZURE_SPEECH_API_KEY`, `SPEECH_KEY`, `SPEECH_REGION`) | Native Ogg/Opus voice-note output and telephony. |
| **DeepInfra** | `DEEPINFRA_API_KEY` | OpenAI-compatible TTS. Defaults to `hexgrad/Kokoro-82M`. |
| **ElevenLabs** | `ELEVENLABS_API_KEY` or `XI_API_KEY` | Voice cloning, multilingual, deterministic via `seed`; streamed for Discord voice playback. |
| **Fish Audio** | `FISH_API_KEY` or `FISH_AUDIO_API_KEY` | S2.1 hosted TTS, expressive tags, voice discovery, streaming, and telephony. |
| **Google Gemini** | `GEMINI_API_KEY` or `GOOGLE_API_KEY` | Gemini API batch TTS; persona-aware via `promptTemplate: "audio-profile-v1"`. |
| **Gradium** | `GRADIUM_API_KEY` | Voice-note and telephony output. |
| **Inworld** | `INWORLD_API_KEY` | Streaming TTS API. Native Opus voice-note and PCM telephony. |
| **Local CLI** | none | Runs a configured local TTS command. |
| **Microsoft** | none | Public Edge neural TTS via `node-edge-tts`. Best-effort, no SLA. |
| **MiniMax** | `MINIMAX_API_KEY` (or Token Plan: `MINIMAX_OAUTH_TOKEN`, `MINIMAX_CODE_PLAN_KEY`, `MINIMAX_CODING_API_KEY`) | T2A v2 API. Defaults to `speech-2.8-hd`. |
| **OpenAI** | `OPENAI_API_KEY` | Also used for auto-summary; supports persona `instructions`. |
| **OpenRouter** | `OPENROUTER_API_KEY` (can reuse `models.providers.openrouter.apiKey`) | Default model `hexgrad/kokoro-82m`. |
| **Volcengine** | `VOLCENGINE_TTS_API_KEY` or `BYTEPLUS_SEED_SPEECH_API_KEY` (legacy AppID/token: `VOLCENGINE_TTS_APPID`/`_TOKEN`) | BytePlus Seed Speech HTTP API. |
| **Vydra** | `VYDRA_API_KEY` | Shared image, video, and speech provider. |
| **xAI** | `XAI_API_KEY` | xAI batch TTS. Native Opus voice-note is **not** supported. |
| **Xiaomi MiMo** | `XIAOMI_API_KEY` | MiMo TTS through Xiaomi chat completions. |

If multiple providers are configured, the selected one is used first and the
others are fallback options. Auto-summary uses `summaryModel` (or
`agents.defaults.model.primary`), so that provider must also be authenticated
if you keep summaries enabled.

> [!WARNING]
>
> The bundled **Microsoft** provider uses Microsoft Edge's online neural TTS
> service via `node-edge-tts`. It is a public web service without a published
> SLA or quota — treat it as best-effort. The legacy provider id `edge` is
> normalized to `microsoft` and `openclaw doctor --fix` rewrites persisted
> config; new configs should always use `microsoft`.