Speaklna with OpenClaw

Hear a one-sentence report when OpenClaw replies, and ask it to read things aloud. Works when OpenClaw runs on this Mac.

Needs the Speaklna app from the Mac App Store, opened at least once, and Node.js 18 or later.

Set it up

npm install -g speaklna
speaklna setup openclaw

Or without installing: npx -y speaklna setup openclaw. A global install is better, because the hook then points at a stable path.

Setup shows every change first and asks y/N. Originals are saved once as <file>.speaklna-bak.

What it changes

~/.openclaw/openclaw.jsonadds the MCP server (mcp.servers.speaklna), in a marked block
~/.openclaw/workspace/AGENTS.mdadds a marked block with the 🔊 (speaker emoji) rule
~/.openclaw/openclaw.jsonturns the plugin on (plugins.entries.speaklna) and lets it read the finished reply, in a marked block
~/.openclaw/extensions/speaklna/a new plugin that runs at the end of each turn you started (not for scheduled or heartbeat runs)

If you set OPENCLAW_STATE_DIR, the files above live there instead.

One more step

If the OpenClaw Gateway is running, restart it so it loads the plugin. OpenClaw will warn that it can’t verify where the speaklna plugin came from. That is expected for a plugin installed from your own Mac.

Test it

Start a new OpenClaw session and let it finish one turn, for example by asking a simple question. You should hear something like “OpenClaw: …”.

To check only that the app and the package are connected, run this in a terminal:

speaklna say "Hello"

If the model did not end its reply with a 🔊 line, nothing is spoken. Starting a fresh session makes it read the rule.

Ask it to read something aloud

Setup also gives OpenClaw the Speaklna tools. Just ask, for example:

Read the summary above aloud.

OpenClaw calls the speak tool and Speaklna reads it with your chosen voice. This is separate from the automatic report. Press ⌥S any time to stop, or ask “stop reading”.

Good to know

OpenClaw only helps when it runs on this same Mac. If OpenClaw runs on a server or another computer, it cannot reach the Speaklna app on your Mac.
If you run several agents, each agent workspace has its own AGENTS.md. Setup writes the one in ~/.openclaw/workspace/.
Reports queue, only the newest per session is kept, and AI is quiet while another app uses the microphone. ⌥T and ⌥S always win. Details.

Uninstall

speaklna uninstall openclaw

It lists what it will remove for OpenClaw and asks first. Only what setup added is removed.