> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.outspeed.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Speak

> Make the AI agent speak specific text directly

## Overview

The `speak` method allows you to make the AI agent speak specific text directly, without any processing. It's basically Text-to-Speech.

## Using speak Method

The React SDK provides a `speak` method on the conversation object:

```typescript theme={null}
import { useConversation } from "@outspeed/react";

// Inside a React component
const conversation = useConversation({});

// Make the agent speak specific text
await conversation.speak("Hey there, I'm Perry from Outspeed! How can I help you today?");
```

<Note>The text will be added to the context as a message item.</Note>

## Key Differences

| Method       | Purpose              | Behavior                                             |
| ------------ | -------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| `sendText()` | Send user message    | AI processes the message and generates a response    |
| `speak()`    | Direct speech output | AI speaks the exact text provided without processing |

## Example Usage

```typescript theme={null}
function VoiceAnnouncements() {
  const conversation = useConversation({});

  const makeAnnouncement = async (text: string) => {
    try {
      await conversation.speak(text);
    } catch (error) {
      console.error("Failed to speak:", error);
    }
  };

  return (
    <div>
      <button onClick={() => makeAnnouncement("Welcome to our service!")}>
        Welcome Message
      </button>
      
      <button onClick={() => makeAnnouncement("Please hold while we connect you.")}>
        Hold Message
      </button>
      
      <button onClick={() => makeAnnouncement("Thank you for using Outspeed!")}>
        Thank You Message
      </button>
    </div>
  );
}
```

## Common Use Cases

* **System announcements**: Status updates or notifications
* **Predefined responses**: Quick replies without AI processing
* **Error messages**: Speaking error states directly
* **Welcome messages**: Greeting users with specific text
* **Instructions**: Providing step-by-step guidance

## Complete Example

```typescript theme={null}
function CustomerService() {
  const [isOnHold, setIsOnHold] = useState(false);
  const conversation = useConversation({});

  const putOnHold = async () => {
    setIsOnHold(true);
    await conversation.speak("Please hold while I transfer you to a specialist. This may take a few moments.");
  };

  const removeFromHold = async () => {
    setIsOnHold(false);
    await conversation.speak("Thank you for holding. How can I assist you today?");
  };

  const endCall = async () => {
    await conversation.speak("Thank you for contacting us. Have a great day!");
    await conversation.endSession();
  };

  return (
    <div>
      {isOnHold ? (
        <button onClick={removeFromHold}>Take Off Hold</button>
      ) : (
        <button onClick={putOnHold}>Put On Hold</button>
      )}
      
      <button onClick={endCall}>End Call</button>
    </div>
  );
}
```