# AutoVol (Tray)

AutoVol is a zero-config Windows tray app that **learns when you turn volume down** and then **automatically ducks volume** when the system audio gets louder than your learned “too loud” levels.

It’s designed to be:

* **Zero-touch**: run it and forget it
* **Self-healing**: tries multiple ways to measure system loudness (loopback audio → peak meter fallbacks)
* **Non-destructive**: stores its data in your local profile folder, not in system locations

## What it does

* Monitors “how loud the system output is” (best effort loopback capture; fallback peak meters).
* When you manually turn volume **down**, AutoVol records the loudness level at that moment.
* Later, if it detects loudness above your learned threshold, it gently reduces volume.
* Optional speech gating (if available) can reduce ducking during speech-like audio.

## Requirements

* Windows 10/11 (Windows 11 recommended)
* No admin required (for normal use)

## Install / Run (Release)

AutoVol is typically shipped as a **folder** (PyInstaller *onedir* build).

1. Download the release zip.
2. Extract it anywhere (ex: `C:\Apps\AutoVol\`).
3. Run: `AutoVol.exe`
4. Look for the **tray icon** (system tray / “hidden icons” area).

> **Important:** If the release contains a folder like `AutoVol\AutoVol.exe`, you must keep the **whole folder** together. Do not move only the `.exe` out by itself.

## Tray Menu

Right-click the tray icon for:

* **Observe only (no changes)** — AutoVol will monitor/learn but won’t set volume
* **Pause / Resume** — stops AutoVol from making adjustments (can restore to your resting volume)
* **Reset learning** — clears learned “turn-down” history
* **Open data folder** — opens the app’s local data folder
* **Quit** — exits cleanly

## Data / Logs Location

AutoVol stores its runtime data under:

`%LOCALAPPDATA%\AutoVol`

You’ll typically see:

* `autovol.log` — rotating logs
* `autovol_learn.json` — learned “turn-down” samples
* `autovol_events.jsonl` — event stream (volume changes, sampler changes, etc.)
* `autovol_crash.txt` — created only if a crash occurs

## Command-line Options

You can run the exe with options (useful for debugging):

* `--observe`
  Start in observe-only mode (no volume changes).

* `--force-dryvol`
  Don’t touch system volume (debug mode; logs/stats still run).

* `--reset`
  Reset learning before starting.

* `--no-autoinstall`
  Disable auto-install of missing Python dependencies (mostly relevant when running from source).

Example:

```bash
AutoVol.exe --observe
```

## Building from Source (Developer)

Basic steps (example):

1. Create/activate a venv
2. Install requirements
3. Run:

```bash
python autovol_tray.py
```

If you package with PyInstaller, you’ll usually distribute the **onedir** output: `dist\AutoVol\`

## Troubleshooting

* **No tray icon:** Check the Windows tray “hidden icons” area.
* **No loudness detection / stuck on fallback:** Some machines/drivers don’t support loopback capture; AutoVol will fall back to peak meters. Check `%LOCALAPPDATA%\AutoVol\autovol.log`.
* **It’s too aggressive:** Use *Observe only* while it learns more “turn-down” events, or reset learning and re-train.

## License

MIT License.