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Getting Started

This guide walks you through installing and running Skippy for the first time.

Prerequisites

1. Python Installation

Skippy requires Python 3.10 or later. Check your version:

python --version

If not installed, download from python.org.

2. OpenClaw

Skippy uses OpenClaw as its AI backend. Ensure it's installed and configured:

openclaw --version
openclaw gateway status

3. System Dependencies

For voice features:

  • Microphone - For voice input
  • Speakers/Headphones - For voice output
  • AutoHotkey v2 (optional) - For desktop automation

Installation

Clone or Download

cd C:\Users\ejb71
git clone <repository> SkippyBuddy
# Or download and extract to C:\Users\ejb71\SkippyBuddy

Install Dependencies

cd C:\Users\ejb71\SkippyBuddy
pip install -r requirements.txt

Or install manually:

pip install PyQt6 edge-tts sounddevice numpy

# Optional: Local Whisper STT (recommended)
pip install faster-whisper

# Optional: Fallback STT
pip install SpeechRecognition

# Optional: Fallback TTS
pip install pyttsx3

Setup Script

Run the automated setup:

.\setup.ps1

This will:

  • Create required directories (logs/, temp/)
  • Generate default config.json
  • Check dependencies
  • Create the app icon

First Run

Launch Skippy

Option 1: Console (see debug output) 

python skippy.py

Option 2: Background (no console) 

pythonw skippy.py

Option 3: Use the batch file 

run.bat

What Happens

  1. Window appears - Floating chat window in bottom-right corner
  2. Tray icon - Skippy icon appears in system tray
  3. Gateway connection - Attempts WebSocket streaming, falls back to CLI
  4. Ready state - Green dot = connected, Orange = CLI mode

Basic Usage

Sending Messages

  1. Type in the input field at the bottom
  2. Press Enter or click ➤
  3. Watch the streaming response appear

Pasting Images

  1. Copy an image to clipboard (screenshot, web image, etc.)
  2. Press Ctrl+V in the input field
  3. Image preview appears below chat
  4. Type a question (or leave blank for "What's in this image?")
  5. Press Enter to send

Voice Input

  1. Click and hold the 🎤 button
  2. Speak your message
  3. Release the button
  4. Skippy transcribes and sends automatically

Voice Output

  1. Click 🔇 to enable (turns to 🔊)
  2. Skippy will speak responses aloud
  3. Select voice from tray menu → Voice → Select Voice

Window Controls

Control Action
━ Minimize to tray
✕ Quit application
Drag title Move window
Double-click tray Show window

Connection States

Indicator Meaning
🟢 Green dot WebSocket streaming active
🟠 Orange dot CLI fallback mode
🔴 Red dot Disconnected
⚡ Green Streaming enabled
⚡ Gray Streaming disabled

Tray Menu Options

Right-click the tray icon:

  • Show Skippy - Bring window to front
  • 📱 Sync to WhatsApp - Toggle two-way sync
  • 📜 Load Recent History - Load conversation from session
  • 🧠 Show Thinking - Display AI reasoning
  • 🎤 Voice - Voice settings submenu
  • Quit - Exit application

Next Steps

Quick Troubleshooting

Window not appearing?

Check the system tray - Skippy might be minimized. Double-click the icon.

Gateway connection failed?

Ensure OpenClaw gateway is running: 

openclaw gateway start

Voice not working?

Check your microphone permissions in Windows Settings → Privacy → Microphone.

See Troubleshooting for more solutions.