What is Rime Mcp

rime-mcp is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that provides text-to-speech capabilities using the Rime API. It allows users to convert text into speech and play it through the system’s native audio player.

Use cases

Use cases for rime-mcp include coding agent announcements, interactive voice responses in applications, and enhancing user experience in software by providing spoken feedback.

How to use

To use rime-mcp, you need to have Node.js 16.x or higher installed and a working audio output device. You can configure the server by setting environment variables such as RIME_API_KEY, RIME_GUIDANCE, RIME_WHO_TO_ADDRESS, RIME_WHEN_TO_SPEAK, and RIME_VOICE in the MCP configuration.

Key features

Key features of rime-mcp include the ability to convert text to speech using Rime’s high-quality voice synthesis API, and the exposure of a ‘speak’ tool that plays audio through the system’s audio output.

Where to use

rime-mcp can be used in various fields such as software development, virtual assistants, and any application that requires text-to-speech functionality.

Rime MCP

A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that provides text-to-speech capabilities using the Rime API. This server downloads audio and plays it using the system’s native audio player.

Features

• Exposes a speak tool that converts text to speech and plays it through system audio
• Uses Rime’s high-quality voice synthesis API

Requirements

• Node.js 16.x or higher
• A working audio output device
• macOS: Uses afplay

There’s sample code from Claude for the following that is not tested 🤙✨

• Windows: Built-in Media.SoundPlayer (PowerShell)
• Linux: mpg123, mplayer, aplay, or ffplay

MCP Configuration

"ref": {
  "command": "npx",
  "args": ["rime-mcp"],
  "env": {
      RIME_API_KEY=your_api_key_here

      # Optional configuration
      RIME_GUIDANCE="<guide how the agent speaks>"
      RIME_WHO_TO_ADDRESS="<your name>"
      RIME_WHEN_TO_SPEAK="<tell the agent when to speak>"
      RIME_VOICE="cove" 
  }
}

All of the optional env vars are part of the tool definition and are prompts to

All voice options are listed here.

You can get your API key from the Rime Dashboard.

The following environment variables can be used to customize the behavior:

• RIME_GUIDANCE: The main description of when and how to use the speak tool
• RIME_WHO_TO_ADDRESS: Who the speech should address (default: “user”)
• RIME_WHEN_TO_SPEAK: When the tool should be used (default: “when asked to speak or when finishing a command”)
• RIME_VOICE: The default voice to use (default: “cove”)

Example use cases

Example 1: Coding agent announcements

"RIME_WHEN_TO_SPEAK": "Always conclude your answers by speaking.",
"RIME_GUIDANCE": "Give a brief overview of the answer. If any files were edited, list them."

Example 2: Learn how the kids talk these days

RIME_GUIDANCE="Use phrases and slang common among Gen Alpha."
RIME_WHO_TO_ADDRESS="Matt"
RIME_WHEN_TO_SPEAK="when asked to speak"

Example 3: Different languages based on context

RIME_VOICE="use 'cove' when talking about Typescript and 'antoine' when talking about Python"

Development

1. Install dependencies:

npm install

2. Build the server:

npm run build

3. Run in development mode with hot reload:

npm run dev

License

MIT

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Installing via Smithery

To install Rime Text-to-Speech Server for Claude Desktop automatically via Smithery:

npx -y @smithery/cli install @MatthewDailey/rime-mcp --client claude