EarLLM One — Build & Maintain

Overview

Build, maintain, and extend the EarLLM One Android project — a Kotlin/Compose app that connects Bluetooth earbuds to an LLM via voice pipeline.

When to Use This Skill

• When the user mentions "earllm" or related topics
• When the user mentions "earbudllm" or related topics
• When the user mentions "earbud app" or related topics
• When the user mentions "voice pipeline kotlin" or related topics
• When the user mentions "bluetooth audio android" or related topics
• When the user mentions "sco microphone" or related topics

Do Not Use This Skill When

• The task is unrelated to earllm build
• A simpler, more specific tool can handle the request
• The user needs general-purpose assistance without domain expertise

How It Works

EarLLM One is a multi-module Android app (Kotlin + Jetpack Compose) that captures voice from Bluetooth earbuds, transcribes it, sends it to an LLM, and speaks the response back.

Project Location

C:\Users\renat\earbudllm

Module Dependency Graph

app ──→ voice ──→ audio ──→ core-logging
  │       │
  ├──→ bluetooth ──→ core-logging
  └──→ llm ──→ core-logging

Modules And Key Files

Build Configuration

• SDK: minSdk 26, targetSdk 34, compileSdk 34
• Build tools: AGP 8.2.2, Kotlin 1.9.22, Gradle 8.5
• Compose BOM: 2024.02.00
• Key deps: OkHttp, AndroidX Security (EncryptedSharedPreferences), DataStore, Media

Target Hardware

Critical Technical Facts

These are verified facts from official documentation and device testing. Treat them as ground truth when making decisions:

1. Bluetooth SCO is limited to 8kHz mono input on most devices. Some support 16kHz mSBC. BLE Audio (Android 12+, TYPE_BLE_HEADSET = 26) supports up to 32kHz stereo. Always prefer BLE Audio when available.

2. startBluetoothSco() is deprecated since Android 12 (API 31). Use AudioManager.setCommunicationDevice(AudioDeviceInfo) and clearCommunicationDevice() instead. The project already implements both paths in AudioRouteController.kt.

3. Samsung One UI 7/8 has a known HFP corruption bug where A2DP playback corrupts the SCO link. The app handles this with silence detection and automatic fallback to the phone's built-in mic.

4. Redmi Buds 6 Pro tap controls must be set to "Default" (Play/Pause) in the Xiaomi Earbuds companion app. If set to ANC or custom functions, events are handled internally by the earbuds and never reach Android.

5. Android 14+ requires FOREGROUND_SERVICE_MICROPHONE permission and foregroundServiceType="microphone" in the service declaration. RECORD_AUDIO must be granted before startForeground().

6. VOICE_COMMUNICATION audio source enables AEC (Acoustic Echo Cancellation), which is critical to prevent TTS audio output from feeding back into the STT microphone input. Never change this source without understanding the echo implications.

7. Never play TTS (A2DP) while simultaneously recording via SCO. The correct sequence is: stop playback → switch to HFP → record → switch to A2DP → play response.

Data Flow

Headset button tap
  → MediaSession (HeadsetButtonController)
  → TapAction.RECORD_TOGGLE
  → VoicePipeline.toggleRecording()
  → VoiceCaptureController captures PCM (16kHz mono)
  → stopRecording() returns ByteArray
  → SpeechToTextController.transcribe(pcmData)

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