Overview

The say command in macOS converts written text into spoken audio using the system voice. It's useful for accessibility, quick demos, and automation in scripts. You can vocalize prompts, logs, or phrases directly from Terminal.

How This Skill Works

You invoke say in Terminal followed by the text to speak. For example, say -v Alex 'Hello, world!' uses the chosen voice; if you omit -v, the default system voice is used.

When to Use It

• When you need a quick spoken prompt in a shell script.
• To provide accessibility feedback during development.
• To read terminal output or logs aloud while debugging.
• During demos or presentations to narrate steps.
• When testing different system voices to compare prosody.

Quick Start

1. Step 1: Open Terminal on macOS.
2. Step 2: Run say -v Alex 'Hello, world!' to hear a spoken phrase.
3. Step 3: Change the phrase or voice as needed to fit your workflow.

Best Practices

• Use -v to select an appropriate voice for the audience.
• Wrap the spoken text in quotes to ensure spaces are handled.
• Test with a short phrase first to verify pronunciation.
• Try multiple voices to pick the most natural fit.
• Keep phrases concise to avoid monotony and mispronunciation.

Example Use Cases

• say -v Alex 'Hello, world!'
• Reading the latest log line aloud during a terminal session.
• Speaking a build completion message from a script.
• Narrating a UI walkthrough in a demo or recording.
• Testing different voices to compare tone and clarity.

Frequently Asked Questions