> For clean Markdown of any page, append .md to the page URL.
> For a complete documentation index, see https://docs.heard.dev/overview/llms.txt.
> For AI client integration (Claude Code, Cursor, etc.), connect to the MCP server at https://docs.heard.dev/_mcp/server.

# Heard documentation

**Heard is a macOS voice layer for coding agents.** It turns useful agent activity into concise spoken updates, so you can follow progress, decisions, failures, and completed work without watching every terminal.

Heard does not replace your coding agent. It adds an ambient voice layer to Claude Code, Codex, or another compatible command line workflow.

macOS 14 or later Claude Code and Codex support Apache 2.0 engine

## Start here

#### [Install Heard](/quickstart)

Download the managed app or build the open source engine, then hear your first useful event.

#### [Connect an agent](/claude-code)

Set up Claude Code, Codex CLI, the Codex app, or another command line agent.

#### [Choose a listening mode](/listening-modes)

Co-pilot at the screen, Companion when you are away, or Focus to hear only what needs you.

#### [Understand the data path](/privacy-and-data)

See what stays on your Mac and what optional hosted services receive.

## What Heard does

Heard is built around three ideas:

1. **Judgment instead of a transcript.** Routine tool activity can stay quiet while decisions, blockers, failures, and completed work get airtime.
2. **Parallel work you can follow by ear.** Heard ranks active sessions and names the project when it switches, so you can tell them apart.
3. **A full voice loop with Power.** Hold right ⌘ to dictate into any text field or message an agent by name, and say "Hey Parrot" to ask [Heard Parrot](/parrot) about your code. Pair your iPhone with the Heard companion app to follow along away from your desk.

Heard stays out of sight. Nothing appears on screen while it is idle; a small status card shows up only for tool activity or when something needs you. See [On screen](/on-screen).

## Choose a setup path

#### Use the managed app

Download Heard, sign in, and choose an integration. Heard manages the voice and narration services, so you do not need provider keys.

#### Build the open source engine

Clone the Apache 2.0 repository when you want your own provider keys, local Kokoro speech, configurable personas, and direct control of the runtime.

#### Verify one agent first

Run a small task and confirm Heard speaks a clearly attributed question, blocker, or result before connecting more sessions.

> **Note**
>
> The managed app and open source engine are different setup paths. Choose one for your first session, then expand after the basic connection works.

## Supported integrations

| Integration                                                       | Support            | How it connects                                                        |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Claude Code                                                       | First class        | Local Heard hooks                                                      |
| Codex CLI                                                         | First class        | Local Heard hooks that you approve in Codex                            |
| Cloud agents (Grok Bot, Meta Muse, Devin, Manus, ChatGPT, Claude) | First class        | [One MCP connector](/cloud-agents)                                     |
| Codex app                                                         | First class        | The same Codex hooks, plus jump to threads and reply into the composer |
| Cursor, Copilot CLI, Gemini CLI and other local agents            | Status             | Sessions and approvals shown, not narrated                             |
| Other command line agents                                         | Open source engine | The `heard run` wrapper                                                |

Continue with the [quickstart](/quickstart), or go directly to [Claude Code](/claude-code) or [Codex](/codex-cli).

> Heard is the voice layer for coding agents on macOS. Spoken progress from Claude Code and Codex, hands-free replies, and Heard Parrot codebase Q&A. Docs cover setup, listening modes, plans, and privacy.