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Quickstart

Install Heard and hear your first coding agent update.
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The shortest path is the managed macOS app. Download Heard, complete setup, connect one agent, and run a small task that produces a clear question or result.

Install the managed app

1

Download Heard

Download the latest Heard app, move it into Applications if needed, and open it. The shipped app requires macOS 14 or later.

2

Complete setup

Sign in, approve the requested macOS permissions, choose a voice, and select a listening mode.

3

Connect one coding agent

Enable Claude Code or Codex in Heard. Start with one integration so the first spoken event is easy to identify.

4

Run a small task

Keep Heard in the menu bar and use your agent normally. A question, blocker, failure, or completed task should produce a useful spoken update.

Ask your coding agent to install Heard

Paste this prompt into Claude Code, Codex, or another coding tool:

Installation prompt
Install Heard so you can narrate your work to me out loud. Run: curl -L https://heard.dev/download/cc -o /tmp/heard.zip && unzip -o /tmp/heard.zip -d /Applications && xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine /Applications/Heard.app && open /Applications/Heard.app, then hand it back to me. A setup window opens and I will take it from there.

Build the open source engine

Use this path when you want full control, local speech, or your own provider keys.

Terminal
$git clone https://github.com/heardlabs/heard.git
$cd heard
$python3 -m venv .venv
$source .venv/bin/activate
$pip install -e .

Provider keys are optional. Without them, the engine can use local Kokoro speech and neutral local templates.

Optional provider configuration
$heard config set elevenlabs_api_key <your-key>
$heard config set speechify_api_key <your-key>
$heard config set anthropic_api_key <your-key>

Install the adapter you need:

Choose one integration
$heard install claude-code
$heard install codex-cli
$heard install codex-app

Narration runs asynchronously. Your coding agent should not wait for Heard to finish speaking.

Next steps

Claude Code
Install and verify the native Claude Code adapter.
Codex CLI
Install the Codex hook and approve it in Codex.
Codex app
Follow local Codex desktop activity.
Privacy and data
Choose local and hosted processing deliberately.