ScriptSurgeonEdit audio by editing text Release notes

New in 2026.08.11 Review-first cleanup, chapters, and a focused dark workspace.

Your audio.
Under the knife.

ScriptSurgeon turns speech into an editable transcript. Review cleanup, tune pacing, choose the best take, and prepare a delivery-ready edit. All on your PC.

See what is new Build on Windows
ScriptSurgeon showing an editable transcript above a waveform timeline
  1. 1
    RecordCapture locally with your mic.
  2. 2
    TranscribeSpeech to text on your machine.
  3. 3
    CutEdit the transcript. Audio cuts instantly.
  4. 4
    RestoreBring words and takes back anytime.
  5. 5
    ExportExport a clean, final WAV.

New source release - 2026.08.11

More control.
Less friction.

This release makes the local editor safer to review, faster to navigate, and calmer to use. In normal use, projects, previews, and exports stay on your device.

Read release notes Build from source
  • Cleanup you can reviewPreview filler, pause, and retake suggestions. Hear the change, Keep any item, then apply only the edits you select.
  • Filler safeguardsContext-sensitive words stay review-first. Suggestions never become automatic deletions.
  • Pacing you setChoose Conversation, Podcast, Tight, or Custom—and tune detection and retained room tone, even per gap.
  • Choose the better takeCompare candidate takes in context and select the take to keep. Change or restore that choice later.
  • Chapters that deliverAdd markers and chapters, then export chapter WAV clips, a chapter list, TXT headings, or VTT chapter cues.
  • A calmer editorDark mode, a light-mode toggle, and Full, Compact, or Hide timeline views.

Review-first cleanup

Clean the take.
Keep the intent.

Review independent filler, gap, and retake suggestions before any audio changes. Compare original and edited context, then apply only what you choose.

  • Audition original and edited context
  • Keep or restore any proposal
  • Conservative filler safeguards
ScriptSurgeon transcript with editable words and pause markers
Removed words3 edits
  1. um00:24.02Restore
  2. you know00:24.11Restore
  3. like00:24.73Restore

Pacing and retakes

Set the rhythm.
Choose the take.

Choose a pacing preset or an exact room-tone target for a pause. Repeated lines stay review-first, so you choose the take that belongs.

  • Conversation, Podcast, Tight, or Custom pacing
  • Exact per-gap targets
  • Speaker-aware retake candidates

Insert recordings

Add new audio
right in place.

Record missing lines and place them exactly where they belong in the edit.

  • Record locally
  • Insert at the cursor
  • Re-record fixes and pickups
ScriptSurgeon playback controls and waveform timeline
Chapter deliveryLocal files
  1. OpeningMarker
  2. Key pointChapter
  3. Wrap upChapter

Chapter WAV · list · TXT · VTT

Markers and chapters

Find the moment.
Deliver the story.

Save markers at the edit, turn them into chapters, and generate local chapter clips, lists, headings, and cues for handoff.

  • Chapter range WAV exports
  • Chapter lists and TXT headings
  • Optional VTT chapter cues

Your data stays local

No cloud.
No compromises.

Projects, transcripts, previews, and exports stay on your device in normal use. No account or audio upload is required.

On your deviceEditing, previews, and exports stay local.
No accountsNo sign-up is required to use the editor.
No API keysNo paid speech service is required for normal use.
You're in controlYour project files remain yours.

Open source

Built in the open.
Built for you.

ScriptSurgeon is free and open source. Contribute, build it, and make it better.

View on GitHub Development guide
PowerShell
git clone https://github.com/ArtMoreno/ScriptSurgeon.git
cd ScriptSurgeon
./scripts/build.ps1
./scripts/install.ps1

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