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openclaw/docs/providers/deepgram.md
2026-04-23 07:25:06 +01:00

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---
summary: "Deepgram transcription for inbound voice notes"
read_when:
- You want Deepgram speech-to-text for audio attachments
- You want Deepgram streaming transcription for Voice Call
- You need a quick Deepgram config example
title: "Deepgram"
---
# Deepgram (Audio Transcription)
Deepgram is a speech-to-text API. In OpenClaw it is used for inbound
audio/voice-note transcription through `tools.media.audio` and for Voice Call
streaming STT through `plugins.entries.voice-call.config.streaming`.
For batch transcription, OpenClaw uploads the complete audio file to Deepgram
and injects the transcript into the reply pipeline (`{{Transcript}}` +
`[Audio]` block). For Voice Call streaming, OpenClaw forwards live G.711
u-law frames over Deepgram's WebSocket `listen` endpoint and emits partial or
final transcripts as Deepgram returns them.
| Detail | Value |
| ------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- |
| Website | [deepgram.com](https://deepgram.com) |
| Docs | [developers.deepgram.com](https://developers.deepgram.com) |
| Auth | `DEEPGRAM_API_KEY` |
| Default model | `nova-3` |
## Getting started
<Steps>
<Step title="Set your API key">
Add your Deepgram API key to the environment:
```
DEEPGRAM_API_KEY=dg_...
```
</Step>
<Step title="Enable the audio provider">
```json5
{
tools: {
media: {
audio: {
enabled: true,
models: [{ provider: "deepgram", model: "nova-3" }],
},
},
},
}
```
</Step>
<Step title="Send a voice note">
Send an audio message through any connected channel. OpenClaw transcribes it
via Deepgram and injects the transcript into the reply pipeline.
</Step>
</Steps>
## Configuration options
| Option | Path | Description |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------- |
| `model` | `tools.media.audio.models[].model` | Deepgram model id (default: `nova-3`) |
| `language` | `tools.media.audio.models[].language` | Language hint (optional) |
| `detect_language` | `tools.media.audio.providerOptions.deepgram.detect_language` | Enable language detection (optional) |
| `punctuate` | `tools.media.audio.providerOptions.deepgram.punctuate` | Enable punctuation (optional) |
| `smart_format` | `tools.media.audio.providerOptions.deepgram.smart_format` | Enable smart formatting (optional) |
<Tabs>
<Tab title="With language hint">
```json5
{
tools: {
media: {
audio: {
enabled: true,
models: [{ provider: "deepgram", model: "nova-3", language: "en" }],
},
},
},
}
```
</Tab>
<Tab title="With Deepgram options">
```json5
{
tools: {
media: {
audio: {
enabled: true,
providerOptions: {
deepgram: {
detect_language: true,
punctuate: true,
smart_format: true,
},
},
models: [{ provider: "deepgram", model: "nova-3" }],
},
},
},
}
```
</Tab>
</Tabs>
## Voice Call streaming STT
The bundled `deepgram` plugin also registers a realtime transcription provider
for the Voice Call plugin.
| Setting | Config path | Default |
| --------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------- |
| API key | `plugins.entries.voice-call.config.streaming.providers.deepgram.apiKey` | Falls back to `DEEPGRAM_API_KEY` |
| Model | `...deepgram.model` | `nova-3` |
| Language | `...deepgram.language` | (unset) |
| Encoding | `...deepgram.encoding` | `mulaw` |
| Sample rate | `...deepgram.sampleRate` | `8000` |
| Endpointing | `...deepgram.endpointingMs` | `800` |
| Interim results | `...deepgram.interimResults` | `true` |
```json5
{
plugins: {
entries: {
"voice-call": {
config: {
streaming: {
enabled: true,
provider: "deepgram",
providers: {
deepgram: {
apiKey: "${DEEPGRAM_API_KEY}",
model: "nova-3",
endpointingMs: 800,
language: "en-US",
},
},
},
},
},
},
},
}
```
<Note>
Voice Call receives telephony audio as 8 kHz G.711 u-law. The Deepgram
streaming provider defaults to `encoding: "mulaw"` and `sampleRate: 8000`, so
Twilio media frames can be forwarded directly.
</Note>
## Notes
<AccordionGroup>
<Accordion title="Authentication">
Authentication follows the standard provider auth order. `DEEPGRAM_API_KEY` is
the simplest path.
</Accordion>
<Accordion title="Proxy and custom endpoints">
Override endpoints or headers with `tools.media.audio.baseUrl` and
`tools.media.audio.headers` when using a proxy.
</Accordion>
<Accordion title="Output behavior">
Output follows the same audio rules as other providers (size caps, timeouts,
transcript injection).
</Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>
## Related
<CardGroup cols={2}>
<Card title="Media tools" href="/tools/media-overview" icon="photo-film">
Audio, image, and video processing pipeline overview.
</Card>
<Card title="Configuration" href="/gateway/configuration" icon="gear">
Full config reference including media tool settings.
</Card>
<Card title="Troubleshooting" href="/help/troubleshooting" icon="wrench">
Common issues and debugging steps.
</Card>
<Card title="FAQ" href="/help/faq" icon="circle-question">
Frequently asked questions about OpenClaw setup.
</Card>
</CardGroup>