CLI
Transcribe from your terminal with the transcribe command.
The transcribe CLI wraps the REST API so you can transcribe files and URLs from your
terminal or CI. It uploads local files for you and waits for the transcript by default.
Install
npm install -g @transcribevideototext/cliAuthenticate
transcribe loginPaste a key from Developers → API Keys. It is stored at
~/.config/transcribevideototext/config.json. In CI, set VTT_API_KEY instead of logging
in, or pass --key per command.
Transcribe
# Local file (uploaded for you)
transcribe ./interview.mp4 --diarize
# Public URL (fetched directly)
transcribe https://example.com/podcast.mp3 -l en > podcast.txtTranscript text is written to stdout; status and progress go to stderr, so redirecting captures just the transcript.
| Flag | Description |
|---|---|
-l, --language <code> | ISO 639-1 code or auto (default). |
-d, --diarize | Separate and label speakers. |
--no-wait | Return the job id immediately (URL sources only). |
--timeout <seconds> | Max wait when waiting (default 600). |
--json | Print the full transcription (segments with ms timestamps) as JSON. |
Manage jobs
transcribe list
transcribe get <id>
transcribe delete <id>Cost is settled per minute of media on completion. If a finished transcript exceeds your
available minutes it is returned as a preview and flagged as locked — add credits, then
run transcribe get <id> again to unlock the full text.