§ CLI
CLI reference
Developer toolLocal-only
Dettivo ships a bundled CLI named `dettivo`. Run `dettivo install-helper --link` to symlink it into `~/.local/bin/`. The CLI exposes dictation, meeting, transcript, import, polish, and MCP commands over the same IPC the app uses.
Who this is for
Developers, ops engineers, anyone scripting around their dictation history. Anyone configuring MCP for Claude Code / Cursor / Codex.
Install the CLI
- 01
Symlink into PATH
Run `dettivo install-helper --link`. Symlinks the bundled binary into `~/.local/bin/dettivo`.
- 02
Verify
`dettivo status version` should print the app and API version. `dettivo status` should report the app state.
Command groups
| Group | Subcommands | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| dictation | start · stop · cancel · status | Drive a dictation session. |
| meeting | start · stop · cancel · status · list · get · search | Drive meeting capture. |
| transcript | list · get · latest · search · import · export | Read history and move transcript files. |
| insert | --text · --kind · --id | Insert text or a transcript into the focused app. |
| transcript import | --file <path> --target-kind dictation|meeting | Import dictation audio or an external meeting recording. |
| polish | test · presets · rules | Polish sandbox. |
| mcp | serve · config | Run / configure the MCP server. |
| install-helper | --link · --unlink | Manage the PATH symlink. |
| status | Print app state, permissions, version. |
Output + exit codes
| Concept | Values |
|---|---|
| Output formats | Most commands print readable output by default or stable JSON with `--json`. `transcript export` writes `txt`, `md`, `json`, `srt`, or `vtt` to `--out`. |
| Exit 0 | Success. |
| Exit 1 | Generic error. |
| Exit 2 | App not running. |
| Exit 3 | Permission denied. |
| Exit 4 | Args / usage error. |
| Exit 5 | Timeout. |
Example: pipe the latest transcript into your shell
# Get the latest transcript ref as JSON
dettivo --json transcript latest > latest.json
# Insert text into the focused app
dettivo insert --text "Follow up with Alex."
# Search transcripts for a phrase
dettivo --json transcript search "term sheet" | jq '.'
# Import an external meeting recording
dettivo transcript import --file call.m4a --target-kind meeting§ Related
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