Text Style Converter

A powerful Linux desktop tool for converting selected text into different styles using Claude AI. Transform your writing instantly with right-click or keyboard shortcut activation.

Features

10 Conversion Modes

1. More Formal - Professional/academic style with elevated language
2. More Stylish - Engaging format with rhetorical flair and vivid language
3. WhatsApp Appropriate - Casual messaging style for everyday chat
4. LinkedIn Post Material - Professional social media content with engagement hooks
5. Discord Material - Community chat style with internet-aware language
6. Casual Format - Friendly, relaxed tone for informal communication
7. Natural - Fix Typos & Grammar - Comprehensive error correction while maintaining style
8. Typos Only - Fix spelling errors without changing structure
9. Grammar Only - Correct grammar and punctuation without rephrasing
10. Add Emojis - Enhance expressiveness with appropriate emoji placement

Key Features

• System-wide integration: Works in any application (browsers, text editors, chat apps)
• Quick conversion: Select text → shortcut → choose mode → paste
• Smart clipboard: Automatically copies converted text
• Desktop notifications: Visual feedback for each step
• Dual UI options: Uses rofi (preferred) or zenity (fallback)
• High-quality output: Powered by Claude Sonnet 4 for natural conversions

Installation

1. Prerequisites

Install required system packages:

Ubuntu/Debian:

sudo apt install python3 python3-pip xclip rofi

Fedora:

sudo dnf install python3 python3-pip xclip rofi

Arch Linux:

sudo pacman -S python xclip rofi

Optional: Install zenity as fallback if you don't want rofi:

sudo apt install zenity  # Ubuntu/Debian

2. Clone and Install

# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/thamam/Writing-Companion.git
cd Writing-Companion

# Make scripts executable
chmod +x install.sh setup_context_menu.sh text_converter.py

# Run installation
./install.sh

The installer will:

• Check for required dependencies
• Install Python packages (anthropic)
• Copy script to /usr/local/bin/
• Install desktop entry
• Display setup instructions

3. Configure API Key

1. Get your API key from Anthropic Console

2. Add to shell configuration:

   For Bash (edit ~/.bashrc):

   echo "export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY='sk-ant-your-key-here'" >> ~/.bashrc
   source ~/.bashrc

   For Zsh (edit ~/.zshrc):

   echo "export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY='sk-ant-your-key-here'" >> ~/.zshrc
   source ~/.zshrc

3. Verify it's set:

   echo $ANTHROPIC_API_KEY

4. Set Up Activation Method

Run the context menu setup helper:

./setup_context_menu.sh

Recommended: Keyboard Shortcut (Works on all DEs)

GNOME/Ubuntu:

• Settings → Keyboard → Keyboard Shortcuts → Custom Shortcuts
• Click "+" to add new shortcut
• Name: "Text Style Converter"
• Command: /usr/local/bin/text-converter.py
• Shortcut: Ctrl+Alt+T (or your preference)

KDE Plasma:

• System Settings → Shortcuts → Custom Shortcuts
• Edit → New → Global Shortcut → Command/URL
• Command: /usr/local/bin/text-converter.py
• Trigger: Ctrl+Alt+T

XFCE:

• Settings → Keyboard → Application Shortcuts
• Add → /usr/local/bin/text-converter.py
• Press your desired key combo

Usage

Basic Workflow

1. Select text in any application (browser, editor, chat, etc.)
2. Press your keyboard shortcut (e.g., Ctrl+Alt+T)
3. Choose conversion mode from the popup menu
4. Wait for notification confirming conversion
5. Paste the converted text with Ctrl+V

Example Use Cases

Making professional communication:

Original (casual): "hey can u check this out when u get a chance?"
Mode: More Formal
Result: "Hello, would you please review this at your earliest convenience?"

Creating LinkedIn content:

Original: "Just launched our new feature. It's pretty cool."
Mode: LinkedIn Post Material
Result: "Excited to announce the launch of our new feature! 🚀

After months of development, we've built something that will transform how teams collaborate...

What features would you like to see next?"

Quick typo fixes:

Original: "Recieved the documment, will reveiw it tomorow."
Mode: Typos Only
Result: "Received the document, will review it tomorrow."

How It Works

Technical Flow

1. Text Capture: Uses xclip to read selected text from X11 primary selection
2. Mode Selection: Displays rofi/zenity dialog with 10 conversion options
3. API Call: Sends text to Claude API with mode-specific prompt
4. Clipboard Copy: Uses xclip to copy result to clipboard
5. Notification: Shows desktop notification via notify-send

Architecture

┌─────────────────┐
│  Selected Text  │
└────────┬────────┘
         │ xclip -o
         ▼
┌─────────────────┐
│ Mode Selector   │ rofi/zenity
│ (10 options)    │
└────────┬────────┘
         │
         ▼
┌─────────────────┐
│  Claude API     │ Anthropic Python SDK
│  (Sonnet 4)     │
└────────┬────────┘
         │
         ▼
┌─────────────────┐
│   Clipboard     │ xclip -selection clipboard
└────────┬────────┘
         │
         ▼
┌─────────────────┐
│  Notification   │ notify-send
└─────────────────┘

Configuration

Changing the Model

Edit text_converter.py and modify the MODEL constant:

MODEL = "claude-sonnet-4-20250514"  # Latest Sonnet
# or
MODEL = "claude-3-5-sonnet-20241022"  # Older Sonnet

Adding Custom Modes

Edit the CONVERSION_MODES dictionary in text_converter.py:

"11": {
    "name": "Your Custom Mode",
    "prompt": """Your conversion instructions here.

Text: {text}

Converted text:"""
}

Keyboard Shortcut Alternatives

Common alternatives to Ctrl+Alt+T:

• Super+T (Windows/Command key + T)
• Ctrl+Shift+T
• Alt+T
• Any F-key (F9, F10, etc.)

Troubleshooting

"No text selected" notification

• Ensure text is highlighted before pressing shortcut
• Try selecting with mouse, not keyboard
• Some apps may not expose selection to X11 - try copying to clipboard first

"ANTHROPIC_API_KEY not set"

• Check environment variable: echo $ANTHROPIC_API_KEY
• Restart terminal after editing ~/.bashrc
• For current session: export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY='your-key'
• Verify in your shell config file

rofi/zenity not found

• Install rofi (recommended): sudo apt install rofi
• Or install zenity as fallback: sudo apt install zenity
• Check installation: which rofi

Conversion fails or hangs

• Check internet connection
• Verify API key is valid at Anthropic Console
• Check Anthropic API status: status.anthropic.com
• Look for error in notification

Permission denied

• Ensure script is executable: chmod +x /usr/local/bin/text-converter.py
• Re-run installer: ./install.sh

Doesn't work in specific application

• Some apps (like secure terminals) may block clipboard access
• Try copying text first, then select from clipboard manager
• Wayland apps may have limitations - try X11 session

Cost Estimates

Using Claude Sonnet 4 pricing (as of 2024):

Text Length	Approx. Tokens	Estimated Cost
Short (100 words)	~150 tokens	~$0.001
Medium (500 words)	~750 tokens	~$0.005
Long (2000 words)	~3000 tokens	~$0.02

Note: Costs are estimates. Check Anthropic pricing for current rates.

Comparison to Prompt Enhancer

This tool is inspired by Prompt Enhancer Extension but designed for broader use:

Feature	Prompt Enhancer	Text Style Converter
Platform	Browser extension	Linux desktop (system-wide)
Use case	Enhance AI prompts	Convert any text style
Modes	Prompt-specific	10 diverse styles
Integration	Browser only	All applications
Activation	Extension button	Keyboard shortcut

Future Plans

• Browser extension version (Chrome/Firefox)
• Windows/macOS support
• Multi-language support (Spanish, French, etc.)
• Custom conversion mode templates
• Local model option (no API required)
• Batch file processing
• History and favorites
• GUI configuration tool
• Wayland native support

Contributing

Contributions welcome! Please:

1. Fork the repository
2. Create a feature branch (git checkout -b feature/amazing-feature)
3. Commit your changes (git commit -m 'Add amazing feature')
4. Push to the branch (git push origin feature/amazing-feature)
5. Open a Pull Request

License

MIT License - See LICENSE file for details

Credits

• Inspired by Prompt Enhancer Extension
• Powered by Anthropic Claude API
• Uses rofi for menu display

Support

For issues, questions, or suggestions:

• Open an issue on GitHub
• Check existing issues for solutions
• Include error messages and system info in bug reports

Changelog

v1.0.0 (2024-11-11)

• Initial release
• 10 conversion modes
• Linux desktop integration
• Claude Sonnet 4 support
• Rofi/Zenity UI
• Comprehensive documentation