Zonos TTS MCP for Linux

What is Zonos TTS MCP for Linux?

The Zonos TTS MCP for Linux is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that integrates Zonos text‑to‑speech with Claude on Linux systems. It enables Claude to generate natural‑sounding speech in multiple languages and emotions, using a running Zonos API instance and PulseAudio or PipeWire for audio playback.

How to use Zonos TTS MCP for Linux?

Install via Smithery (npx -y @smithery/cli install @PhialsBasement/zonos-tts-mcp --client claude) or manually: clone the repo, install dependencies (npm install @modelcontextprotocol/sdk axios zod), build (npm run build), then add the server to Claude’s config under mcpServers. Once configured, Claude can call the speak_response tool with parameters text, language (e.g., "en-us"), and emotion ("neutral", "happy", "sad", "angry").

Key features of Zonos TTS MCP for Linux

• Text-to-speech generation directly through Claude.
• Supports four emotions: neutral, happy, sad, angry.
• Multi‑language speech output.
• Audio playback via PulseAudio or PipeWire.
• Optimized for Linux with reduced GPU load.

Use cases of Zonos TTS MCP for Linux

• Adding voice output to Claude conversations on Linux desktops.
• Creating accessible applications that read text aloud.
• Generating emotional or multilingual narration for content.
• Integrating speech synthesis into Linux‑based agent workflows.

FAQ from Zonos TTS MCP for Linux

What should I do if I see an “Unexpected token” JSON parsing error?

Console output has been redirected to a log file (/tmp/zonos-tts-mcp.log) to prevent JSON parsing errors. Check that file for details; the server uses optimized TTS parameters to avoid common compatibility issues.

How can I reduce high GPU usage?

Performance optimizations are included: the server uses more efficient sampling parameters (top_p and min_p). If needed, you can adjust these values in the server code to further lower GPU load.

What are the runtime requirements?

Node.js, PulseAudio or PipeWire with its PulseAudio compatibility layer, a working audio output device, a running instance of the Zonos API (from PhialsBasement/zonos-api), and the Claude Desktop app.

Does this work on Windows or macOS?

No. This fork is specifically adapted for Linux environments and includes GPU optimizations for that platform. The original upstream project (PhialsBasement/zonos-tts-mcp) may support other systems.

Where does audio data live?

Audio is played directly through the system’s audio output (PulseAudio/PipeWire). No audio files are stored by default; the server sends the audio stream for immediate playback.