Update CHANGELOG.md

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -1,3 +1,56 @@
+# v1.0.7
+- Improve chaptered audio generation by outputting directly as `m4b` instead of converting from `wav`.
+- Ignore chapter markers and single newlines when calculating text length, improving the accuracy of the text length calculation.
+- Prevent cancellation if process is at 99%, ensuring the process is not interrupted at the last moment.
+- Improved process handling for subpprocess calls, ensuring better management of subprocesses.
+- Improved PDF handling, ignoring empty pages/chapters and better chapter handling.
+- Added `Save in a project folder with metadata` option in the book handler, allowing users to save the converted items in a project folder with available metadata files. Useful if you want to work with the converted files in the future, issue mentioned by @Darthagnon in #15
+- Added `Go to folder` button in input box, allowing users to open the folder containing the converted file.
+- Added `.opus` as output format for generated audio files, which is a more efficient format for audio files.
+- Added `Create desktop shortcut and install` option to Linux version, allowing users to create a shortcut and install 
+- Added "Playing..." indicator for "Preview" button in the voice mixer.
+
+# v1.0.6
+- Added `Insert chapter marker` button in text editor to insert chapter markers at the current cursor position.
+- Added `Preview` button in voice mixer to preview the voice mix with the selected settings.
+- Fixed `f-string: unmatched '['` error in Voice preview, mentioned in #14
+- Fixed the issue with the content before first chapter not being included in the output.
+- Fixed m4b chapter generation opens CMD window in Windows.
+
+# v1.0.5
 - Added new output format: `m4b`, enabling chapter metadata in audiobooks. Special thanks to @jborza for implementing this feature in PR #10.
 - Better approach for determining the correct configuration folder for Linux and MacOS, using platformdirs. (Fixes Docker issue #12)
 - Improvements in documentation and code.
+
+# v1.0.4
+- Merge pull request [#7](https://github.com/denizsafak/abogen/pull/7) by @jborza that improves voice preview and documentation.
+- Fixed the issue when a voice is selected, the voice mixer tries to pre-select that voice and ignores existing profiles.
+- Fixed the error while renaming the default "New profile" in the voice mixer.
+- Fixed subtitle_combo enabling/disabling when a voice in the voice mixer is selected.
+- Prevented using special characters in the profile name to avoid conflicts.
+- Improved invalid profile handling in the voice mixer.
+
+# v1.0.3
+- Added voice mixing, allowing multiple voices to be combined into a single “Mixed Voice”, a feature mentioned by @PulsarFTW in #1. Special thanks to @jborza for making this possible through his contributions in #5.
+- Added profile system to voice mixer, allowing users to create and manage multiple voice profiles.
+- Improvements in the voice mixer, mostly for organizing controls and enhancing user experience.
+- Added icons for flags and genders in the GUI, making it easier to identify different options.
+- Improved the content and chapter extraction process for EPUB files, ensuring better handling of various structures.
+- Switched to platformdirs for determining the correct desktop path, instead of using old methods.
+- Fixed preview voices was not using GPU acceleration, which was causing performance issues.
+- Improvements in code and documentation.
+
+# v1.0.2
+- Enhanced EPUB handling by treating all items in chapter list (including anchors) as chapters, improving navigation and organization for poorly structured books, mentioned by @Darthagnon in #4
+- Fixed the issue with some chapters in EPUB files had missing content.
+- Fixed the issue with some EPUB files only having one chapter caused the program to ignore the entire book.
+- Fixed "utf-8' codec can't decode byte" error, mentioned by @nigelp in #3
+- Added "Replace single newlines with spaces" option in the menu. This can be useful for texts that have imaginary line breaks.
+- Improvements in code and documentation.
+
+# v1.0.1
+- Added abogen-cli command for better troubleshooting and error handling.
+- Switched from setuptools to hatchling for packaging.
+- Added classifiers to the package metadata.
+- Fixed "No module named 'docopt'" and "setuptools.build_meta" import errors while using .bat installer in Windows, mentioned by @nigelp in #2
+- Improvements in code and documentation.

README.md

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 [![Build Status](https://github.com/denizsafak/abogen/actions/workflows/test_pip.yml/badge.svg)](https://github.com/denizsafak/abogen/actions)
 [![GitHub Release](https://img.shields.io/github/v/release/denizsafak/abogen)](https://github.com/denizsafak/abogen/releases/latest)
-![abogen PyPi Python Versions](https://img.shields.io/pypi/pyversions/abogen)
+[![Abogen PyPi Python Versions](https://img.shields.io/pypi/pyversions/abogen)](https://pypi.org/project/abogen/)
 [![Operating Systems](https://img.shields.io/badge/os-windows%20%7C%20linux%20%7C%20macos%20-blue)](https://github.com/denizsafak/abogen/releases/latest)
 [![Code style: black](https://img.shields.io/badge/code%20style-black-000000.svg)](https://github.com/psf/black)
 [![License: MIT](https://img.shields.io/badge/License-MIT-maroon.svg)](https://opensource.org/licenses/MIT)
@@ -14,10 +14,9 @@ Abogen is a powerful text-to-speech conversion tool that makes it easy to turn e
 ## Demo
 https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/cb66512d-0a52-48c3-bda4-f1e6a03fb8d6
 
-
 > This demo was generated in just 5 seconds, producing ∼1 minute of audio with perfectly synced subtitles. To create a similar video, see [the demo guide](https://github.com/denizsafak/abogen/tree/main/demo).
 
-## `How to install?`
+## `How to install?` <a href="https://pypi.org/project/abogen/" target="_blank"><img src="https://img.shields.io/pypi/pyversions/abogen" alt="Abogen Compatible PyPi Python Versions" align="right" style="margin-top:6px;"></a>
 ### Windows
 Go to [espeak-ng latest release](https://github.com/espeak-ng/espeak-ng/releases/latest) download and run the *.msi file.
 ```bash
@@ -56,13 +55,20 @@ sudo dnf install espeak-ng
 # Install abogen
 pip install abogen
 ```
+> If you get `WARNING: The script abogen-cli is installed in '/home/username/.local/bin' which is not on PATH.` error, run the following command to add it to your PATH:
+>```bash
+>echo "export PATH=\"/home/$USER/.local/bin:\$PATH\"" >> ~/.bashrc && source ~/.bashrc
+>```
+
 > If you get "No matching distribution found" error, try installing it on supported Python (3.10 to 3.12). You can use [pyenv](https://github.com/pyenv/pyenv) to manage multiple Python versions easily in Linux. Watch this [video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVyb-nI4KyI) by NetworkChuck for a quick guide.
 
-Then simply run by typing:
+## `How to run?`
+If you installed using pip, you can simply run the following command to start Abogen:
 
 ```bash
 abogen
 ```
+> If you installed using the Windows installer `(WINDOWS_INSTALL.bat)`, It should have created a shortcut in the same folder, or your desktop. You can run it from there. If you lost the shortcut, Abogen is located in `python_embedded/Scripts/abogen.exe`. You can run it from there directly.
 
 ## `How to use?`
 1) Drag and drop any ePub, PDF, or text file (or use the built-in text editor)
@@ -85,9 +91,11 @@ Here’s Abogen in action: in this demo, it processes ∼3,000 characters of tex
 - **Voices**: First letter of the language code (e.g., `a` for American English, `b` for British English, etc.), second letter is for `m` for male and `f` for female.
 - **Voice mixer**: Create custom voices by mixing different voice models with a profile system.
 - **Generate subtitles**: `Disabled`, `Sentence`, `Sentence + Comma`, `1 word`, `2 words`, `3 words`, etc. (Represents the number of words in each subtitle entry)
-- **Output formats**: `.WAV`, `.FLAC`, `.MP3`, and `M4B (with chapters)` (Special thanks to [@jborza](https://github.com/jborza) for chapter support in PR [#10](https://github.com/denizsafak/abogen/pull/10))
+- **Output formats**: `.WAV`, `.FLAC`, `.MP3`, `.OPUS` and `M4B (with chapters)` (Special thanks to [@jborza](https://github.com/jborza) for chapter support in PR [#10](https://github.com/denizsafak/abogen/pull/10))
 - **Save location**: `Save next to input file`, `Save to desktop`, or `Choose output folder`
 - **Chapter Control**: Select specific `chapters` from ePUBs or `chapters + pages` from PDFs.
+- **Save each chapter separately**: Save each chapter in e-books as a separate audio file.
+- **Project folder**: Save the converted items in a project folder with available metadata files.
 - **Options**:
     - **Replace single newlines with spaces**: Replaces single newlines with spaces in the text. This is useful for texts that have imaginary line breaks.
     - **Configure max words per subtitle**: Configures the maximum number of words per subtitle entry.
@@ -104,7 +112,7 @@ Here’s Abogen in action: in this demo, it processes ∼3,000 characters of tex
 With voice mixer, you can create custom voices by mixing different voice models. You can adjust the weight of each voice and save your custom voice as a profile for future use. The voice mixer allows you to create unique and personalized voices. (Huge thanks to [@jborza](https://github.com/jborza) for making this possible through his contributions in [#5](https://github.com/denizsafak/abogen/pull/5))
 
 ## `About Chapter Markers`
-When you process ePUB or PDF files, abogen converts them into text files stored in your temporary directory. When you click "Edit," you're actually modifying these converted text files. In these text files, you'll notice tags that look like this:
+When you process ePUB or PDF files, Abogen converts them into text files stored in your temporary directory. When you click "Edit," you're actually modifying these converted text files. In these text files, you'll notice tags that look like this:
 
 ```
 <<CHAPTER_MARKER:Chapter Title>>
@@ -122,7 +130,7 @@ This is the beginning of my text...
 <<CHAPTER_MARKER:Main Content>> 
 Here's another part...  
 ```
-When you process the text file, abogen will detect these markers automatically and ask if you want to save each chapter separately and create a merged version.
+When you process the text file, Abogen will detect these markers automatically and ask if you want to save each chapter separately and create a merged version.
 
 ![Abogen Chapter Marker](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/denizsafak/abogen/refs/heads/main/demo/chapter_marker.png)
 
@@ -187,7 +195,7 @@ Abogen launches automatically inside the container.
 
 Known issues:
 - Audio preview is not working inside container (ALSA error).
-- `Open temp directory` and `Open configuration directory` options in settings not working. (Tried pcmanfm, did not work with abogen).
+- `Open temp directory` and `Open configuration directory` options in settings not working. (Tried pcmanfm, did not work with Abogen).
 
 (Special thanks to [@geo38](https://www.reddit.com/user/geo38/) from Reddit, who provided the Dockerfile and instructions in [this comment](https://www.reddit.com/r/selfhosted/comments/1k8x1yo/comment/mpe0bz8/).)
 
@@ -199,11 +207,11 @@ Abogen is a standalone project, but it is inspired by and shares some similariti
 - [epub_to_audiobook](https://github.com/p0n1/epub_to_audiobook): EPUB to audiobook converter, optimized for Audiobookshelf
 
 ## `Roadmap`
-- [ ] Improve PDF support for better text extraction.
+- [ ] Add OCR scan feature for PDF files using docling.
 - [x] Add chapter metadata for .m4a files. (Issue [#9](https://github.com/denizsafak/abogen/issues/9), PR [#10](https://github.com/denizsafak/abogen/pull/10))
 - [ ] Add support for different languages in GUI.
 - [x] Add voice formula feature that enables mixing different voice models. (Issue [#1](https://github.com/denizsafak/abogen/issues/1), PR [#5](https://github.com/denizsafak/abogen/pull/5))
-- [ ] Add support for kokoro-onnx.
+- [ ] Add support for kokoro-onnx (If it's necessary).
 - [ ] Add dark mode.
 
 ## `Troubleshooting`

WINDOWS_INSTALL.bat

@@ -219,9 +219,18 @@ if errorlevel 1 (
     exit /b
 )
 
+:: Install progress's fixed version
+echo Installing fixed version of progress...
+%PYTHON_CONSOLE_PATH% -m pip install --force-reinstall https://github.com/denizsafak/abogen/raw/refs/heads/main/abogen/resources/progress-1.6-py3-none-any.whl --no-warn-script-location
+if errorlevel 1 (
+    echo Failed to install fixed version of progress.
+    pause
+    exit /b
+)
+
 :: Install setup requirements
 echo Installing setup requirements...
-%PYTHON_CONSOLE_PATH% -m pip install --upgrade setuptools wheel sphinx hatchling progress --no-warn-script-location
+%PYTHON_CONSOLE_PATH% -m pip install --upgrade setuptools wheel sphinx hatchling --no-warn-script-location
 if errorlevel 1 (
     echo Failed to install setup requirements.
     pause

abogen/VERSION

@@ -1 +1 @@
-1.0.5
+1.0.7

abogen/book_handler.py

@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ class HandlerDialog(QDialog):
     # Class variables to remember checkbox states between dialog instances
     _save_chapters_separately = False
     _merge_chapters_at_end = True
+    _save_as_project = False  # New class variable for save_as_project option
 
     def __init__(self, book_path, file_type=None, checked_chapters=None, parent=None):
         super().__init__(parent)
@@ -64,6 +65,7 @@ class HandlerDialog(QDialog):
         # Initialize save chapters flags from class variables
         self.save_chapters_separately = HandlerDialog._save_chapters_separately
         self.merge_chapters_at_end = HandlerDialog._merge_chapters_at_end
+        self.save_as_project = HandlerDialog._save_as_project
 
         # Load the book based on file type
         try:
@@ -934,6 +936,7 @@ class HandlerDialog(QDialog):
     def _build_pdf_tree(self):
         outline = self.pdf_doc.get_toc()
         self.has_pdf_bookmarks = bool(outline)
+        self.bookmark_items_map = {}
 
         if not outline:
             self._build_pdf_pages_tree()
@@ -976,20 +979,23 @@ class HandlerDialog(QDialog):
                         else self.pdf_doc.resolve_link(page)[0]
                     )
                     page_id = f"page_{page_num+1}"
-
+                    # attach chapters on same page under original
+                    if page_num in self.bookmark_items_map:
+                        orig = self.bookmark_items_map[page_num]
+                        child = QTreeWidgetItem(orig, [f"{title} (Same page)"])
+                        child.setData(0, Qt.UserRole, page_id)
+                        child.setFlags(child.flags() & ~Qt.ItemIsUserCheckable)
+                        continue
                     bookmark_item = QTreeWidgetItem(parent_item, [title])
                     bookmark_item.setData(0, Qt.UserRole, page_id)
-                    bookmark_item.setFlags(
+                    # only allow checking if this chapter has content
-                        bookmark_item.flags() | Qt.ItemIsUserCheckable
+                    if self.content_lengths.get(page_id, 0) > 0:
-                    )
+                        bookmark_item.setFlags(bookmark_item.flags() | Qt.ItemIsUserCheckable)
-                    bookmark_item.setCheckState(
+                        bookmark_item.setCheckState(0, Qt.Checked if page_id in self.checked_chapters else Qt.Unchecked)
-                        0,
+                    else:
-                        (
+                        bookmark_item.setFlags(bookmark_item.flags() & ~Qt.ItemIsUserCheckable)
-                            Qt.Checked
+                    # map for uncategorized pages
-                            if page_id in self.checked_chapters
+                    self.bookmark_items_map[page_num] = bookmark_item
-                            else Qt.Unchecked
-                        ),
-                    )
 
                     added_pages.add(page_num)
 
@@ -1012,30 +1018,39 @@ class HandlerDialog(QDialog):
 
                         page_item = QTreeWidgetItem(bookmark_item, [page_title])
                         page_item.setData(0, Qt.UserRole, page_id)
-                        page_item.setFlags(page_item.flags() | Qt.ItemIsUserCheckable)
+                        # only allow checking if this sub-page has content
-                        page_item.setCheckState(
+                        if self.content_lengths.get(page_id, 0) > 0:
-                            0,
+                            page_item.setFlags(page_item.flags() | Qt.ItemIsUserCheckable)
-                            (
+                            page_item.setCheckState(0, Qt.Checked if page_id in self.checked_chapters else Qt.Unchecked)
-                                Qt.Checked
+                        else:
-                                if page_id in self.checked_chapters
+                            page_item.setFlags(page_item.flags() & ~Qt.ItemIsUserCheckable)
-                                else Qt.Unchecked
-                            ),
-                        )
 
                         added_pages.add(sub_page_num)
 
-                    if len(entry) > 3 and isinstance(entry[3], list):
-                        build_outline_tree(entry[3], bookmark_item)
-
         build_outline_tree(outline, self.treeWidget)
 
         covered_pages = set(added_pages)
-
+        # attach any pages without direct bookmarks under nearest preceding chapter
-        uncategorized_pages = [
+        uncategorized_pages = [i for i in range(len(self.pdf_doc)) if i not in covered_pages]
-            i for i in range(len(self.pdf_doc)) if i not in covered_pages
+        for page_num in uncategorized_pages:
-        ]
+            # find nearest previous bookmark
-        if uncategorized_pages:
+            prev_nums = [n for n in sorted(self.bookmark_items_map) if n < page_num]
-            self._add_other_pages(uncategorized_pages)
+            parent_item = self.bookmark_items_map[prev_nums[-1]] if prev_nums else self.treeWidget
+            page_id = f"page_{page_num+1}"
+            title = f"Page {page_num+1}"
+            text = self.content_texts.get(page_id, "").strip()
+            if text:
+                first = text.split("\n", 1)[0].strip()
+                if first and len(first) < 100:
+                    title += f" - {first}"
+            page_item = QTreeWidgetItem(parent_item, [title])
+            page_item.setData(0, Qt.UserRole, page_id)
+            # only allow checking if uncategorized page has content
+            if self.content_lengths.get(page_id, 0) > 0:
+                page_item.setFlags(page_item.flags() | Qt.ItemIsUserCheckable)
+                page_item.setCheckState(0, Qt.Checked if page_id in self.checked_chapters else Qt.Unchecked)
+            else:
+                page_item.setFlags(page_item.flags() & ~Qt.ItemIsUserCheckable)
 
     def _build_pdf_pages_tree(self):
         pages_item = QTreeWidgetItem(self.treeWidget, ["Pages"])
@@ -1056,34 +1071,12 @@ class HandlerDialog(QDialog):
 
             page_item = QTreeWidgetItem(pages_item, [page_title])
             page_item.setData(0, Qt.UserRole, page_id)
-            page_item.setFlags(page_item.flags() | Qt.ItemIsUserCheckable)
+            # only allow checking if standalone page has content
-            page_item.setCheckState(
+            if self.content_lengths.get(page_id, 0) > 0:
-                0, Qt.Checked if page_id in self.checked_chapters else Qt.Unchecked
+                page_item.setFlags(page_item.flags() | Qt.ItemIsUserCheckable)
-            )
+                page_item.setCheckState(0, Qt.Checked if page_id in self.checked_chapters else Qt.Unchecked)
-
+            else:
-    def _add_other_pages(self, uncategorized_pages):
+                page_item.setFlags(page_item.flags() & ~Qt.ItemIsUserCheckable)
-        other_pages = QTreeWidgetItem(self.treeWidget, ["Other Pages"])
-        other_pages.setFlags(other_pages.flags() & ~Qt.ItemIsUserCheckable)
-        font = other_pages.font(0)
-        font.setBold(True)
-        other_pages.setFont(0, font)
-
-        for page_num in uncategorized_pages:
-            page_id = f"page_{page_num+1}"
-            page_title = f"Page {page_num+1}"
-
-            page_text = self.content_texts.get(page_id, "").strip()
-            if page_text:
-                first_line = page_text.split("\n", 1)[0].strip()
-                if first_line and len(first_line) < 100:
-                    page_title += f" - {first_line}"
-
-            page_item = QTreeWidgetItem(other_pages, [page_title])
-            page_item.setData(0, Qt.UserRole, page_id)
-            page_item.setFlags(page_item.flags() | Qt.ItemIsUserCheckable)
-            page_item.setCheckState(
-                0, Qt.Checked if page_id in self.checked_chapters else Qt.Unchecked
-            )
 
     def _are_provided_checks_relevant(self):
         if not self.checked_chapters:
@@ -1108,7 +1101,7 @@ class HandlerDialog(QDialog):
         self.previewEdit.setStyleSheet("QTextEdit { border: none; }")
 
         self.previewInfoLabel = QLabel(
-            '*Note: You can modify the content later using the "Edit" button in the input box or by accessing the temporary files directory through settings.',
+            '*Note: You can modify the content later using the "Edit" button in the input box or by accessing the temporary files directory through settings (if not saved in a project folder).',
             self,
         )
         self.previewInfoLabel.setWordWrap(True)
@@ -1183,7 +1176,6 @@ class HandlerDialog(QDialog):
         self.save_chapters_checkbox.setChecked(self.save_chapters_separately)
         self.save_chapters_checkbox.stateChanged.connect(self.on_save_chapters_changed)
         leftLayout.addWidget(self.save_chapters_checkbox)        
-
         self.merge_chapters_checkbox = QCheckBox(
             "Create a merged version at the end", self
         )
@@ -1193,6 +1185,19 @@ class HandlerDialog(QDialog):
         )
         leftLayout.addWidget(self.merge_chapters_checkbox)
         
+        self.save_as_project_checkbox = QCheckBox(
+            "Save in a project folder with metadata", self
+        )
+        self.save_as_project_checkbox.setToolTip(
+            "Save the converted item in a project folder with metadata files. "
+            "(Useful if you want to work with converted items in the future.)"
+        )
+        self.save_as_project_checkbox.setChecked(self.save_as_project)
+        self.save_as_project_checkbox.stateChanged.connect(
+            self.on_save_as_project_changed
+        )
+        leftLayout.addWidget(self.save_as_project_checkbox)
+
         leftLayout.addWidget(buttons)
 
         leftWidget = QWidget()
@@ -1705,6 +1710,10 @@ class HandlerDialog(QDialog):
         self.merge_chapters_at_end = bool(state)
         HandlerDialog._merge_chapters_at_end = self.merge_chapters_at_end
 
+    def on_save_as_project_changed(self, state):
+        self.save_as_project = bool(state)
+        HandlerDialog._save_as_project = self.save_as_project
+
     def get_save_chapters_separately(self):
         return (
             self.save_chapters_separately
@@ -1715,6 +1724,9 @@ class HandlerDialog(QDialog):
     def get_merge_chapters_at_end(self):
         return self.merge_chapters_at_end
 
+    def get_save_as_project(self):
+        return self.save_as_project
+
     def on_tree_context_menu(self, pos):
         item = self.treeWidget.itemAt(pos)
         if (

abogen/conversion.py

@@ -8,11 +8,13 @@ from platformdirs import user_desktop_dir
 from PyQt5.QtCore import QThread, pyqtSignal, Qt
 from PyQt5.QtWidgets import QCheckBox, QVBoxLayout, QDialog, QLabel, QDialogButtonBox
 import soundfile as sf
-from utils import clean_text
+from utils import clean_text, create_process
 from constants import PROGRAM_NAME, LANGUAGE_DESCRIPTIONS, SAMPLE_VOICE_TEXTS
 from voice_formulas import get_new_voice
 import static_ffmpeg
 import threading  # for efficient waiting
+import subprocess
+
 
 def get_sample_voice_text(lang_code):
     return SAMPLE_VOICE_TEXTS.get(lang_code, SAMPLE_VOICE_TEXTS["a"])
@@ -224,6 +226,12 @@ class ConversionThread(QThread):
             chapter_splits = list(re.finditer(chapter_pattern, text))
             chapters = []
             if chapter_splits:
+                # prepend Introduction for content before first marker
+                first_start = chapter_splits[0].start()
+                if first_start > 0:
+                    intro_text = text[:first_start].strip()
+                    if intro_text:
+                        chapters.append(("Introduction", intro_text))
                 for idx, match in enumerate(chapter_splits):
                     start = match.end()
                     end = (
@@ -492,21 +500,45 @@ class ConversionThread(QThread):
 
                     # Concatenate chapter audio and save
                     chapter_audio = self.np.concatenate(chapter_audio_segments)
-                    # If output format is m4b, save chapter as wav
+                    # Determine chapter extension (.wav for m4b output)
-                    chapter_ext = self.output_format
+                    chapter_ext = 'wav' if self.output_format == 'm4b' else self.output_format
-                    chapter_format = self.output_format
-                    if self.output_format == "m4b":
-                        chapter_ext = "wav"
-                        chapter_format = "wav"
                     chapter_out_path = os.path.join(
                         chapters_out_dir, f"{chapter_filename}.{chapter_ext}"
                     )
-                    sf.write(
+                    if self.output_format == "opus":
-                        chapter_out_path,
+                        static_ffmpeg.add_paths()
-                        chapter_audio,
+                        proc = create_process(
-                        24000,
+                            [
-                        format=chapter_format,
+                                "ffmpeg",
-                    )
+                                "-y",
+                                "-thread_queue_size", "1024", # Increased thread_queue_size for chapter opus
+                                "-f",
+                                "f32le",
+                                "-ar",
+                                "24000",
+                                "-ac",
+                                "1",
+                                "-i",
+                                "pipe:0",
+                                "-c:a",
+                                "libopus",
+                                "-b:a",
+                                "24000",
+                                chapter_out_path,
+                            ],
+                            stdin=subprocess.PIPE,
+                            text=False  # Ensure binary stdin for audio data
+                        )
+                        proc.stdin.write(chapter_audio.astype("float32").tobytes())
+                        proc.stdin.close()
+                        proc.wait()
+                    else:
+                        sf.write(
+                            chapter_out_path,
+                            chapter_audio,
+                            24000,
+                            format='wav' if self.output_format == 'm4b' else self.output_format,
+                        )
 
                     # Generate .srt subtitle file for chapter if not Disabled
                     if self.subtitle_mode != "Disabled" and chapter_subtitle_entries:
@@ -546,44 +578,74 @@ class ConversionThread(QThread):
                 or not self.save_chapters_separately
                 or getattr(self, "merge_chapters_at_end", True)
             )
-            m4b_picked = False  # Ensure m4b_picked is always defined
+            
+            intended_output_format = self.output_format # Store the original choice
+
             if audio_segments and merge_chapters:
                 self.log_updated.emit("\nFinalizing audio file...\n")
-                audio = self.np.concatenate(audio_segments)
+                audio_data_np = self.np.concatenate(audio_segments)
+                
                 out_dir = parent_dir
-                # Use the same suffix as above
+                base_filepath_no_ext = os.path.join(out_dir, f"{base_name}{suffix}")
-                out_filename = f"{base_name}{suffix}.{self.output_format}"
-                out_path = os.path.join(out_dir, out_filename)
-                srt_path = os.path.splitext(out_path)[0] + ".srt"
 
-                # in case the user picked m4b format, we need to change the output format to wav
+                final_out_path = None
-                if self.output_format == "m4b":
-                    out_path = os.path.splitext(out_path)[0] + ".wav"
-                    self.output_format = "wav"
-                    m4b_picked = True
-                sf.write(out_path, audio, 24000, format=self.output_format)
-                if m4b_picked:
-                    out_path = self._generate_m4b_with_chapters(out_path, chapters_time)
 
-                if self.subtitle_mode != "Disabled":
+                if intended_output_format == "m4b":
-                    with open(
+                    final_out_path = self._generate_m4b_with_chapters(audio_data_np, chapters_time, base_filepath_no_ext)
-                        srt_path, "w", encoding="utf-8", errors="replace"
+                elif intended_output_format == "opus":
-                    ) as srt_file:
+                    static_ffmpeg.add_paths()
-                        for i, (start, end, text) in enumerate(subtitle_entries, 1):
+                    opus_out_path = f"{base_filepath_no_ext}.opus"
-                            srt_file.write(
+                    ffmpeg_cmd_opus = [
-                                f"{i}\n{self._srt_time(start)} --> {self._srt_time(end)}\n{text}\n\n"
+                        "ffmpeg", "-y",
-                            )
+                        "-thread_queue_size", "1024", # Increased thread_queue_size
-                    self.conversion_finished.emit(
+                        "-f", "f32le", "-ar", "24000", "-ac", "1", "-i", "pipe:0",
-                        (
+                        "-c:a", "libopus", "-b:a", "24000", # Original bitrate
-                            f"Audiobook saved to: {out_path}\n\nSubtitle saved to: {srt_path}",
+                        opus_out_path,
-                            "green",
+                    ]
-                        ),
+                    try:
-                        out_path,
+                        process = create_process(ffmpeg_cmd_opus, stdin=subprocess.PIPE, text=False)  # Ensure binary stdin
-                    )
+                        process.stdin.write(audio_data_np.astype("float32").tobytes())
+                        process.stdin.close()
+                        if process.wait() == 0:
+                            final_out_path = opus_out_path
+                        else:
+                            self.log_updated.emit(("Opus conversion failed.", "red"))
+                            final_out_path = None 
+                    except Exception as e_opus:
+                        self.log_updated.emit((f"Error during Opus conversion: {str(e_opus)}", "red"))
+                        final_out_path = None
+                else: # For other formats like wav
+                    standard_out_path = f"{base_filepath_no_ext}.{intended_output_format}"
+                    try:
+                        sf.write(standard_out_path, audio_data_np, 24000, format=intended_output_format)
+                        final_out_path = standard_out_path
+                    except Exception as e_sf:
+                        self.log_updated.emit((f"Failed to write audio file {standard_out_path}: {str(e_sf)}", "red"))
+                        final_out_path = None
+
+                # Subtitle and final message logic
+                if final_out_path:
+                    if self.subtitle_mode != "Disabled":
+                        srt_path = os.path.splitext(final_out_path)[0] + ".srt"
+                        with open(srt_path, "w", encoding="utf-8", errors="replace") as srt_file:
+                            for i, (start, end, text) in enumerate(subtitle_entries, 1):
+                                srt_file.write(
+                                    f"{i}\n{self._srt_time(start)} --> {self._srt_time(end)}\n{text}\n\n"
+                                )
+                        self.conversion_finished.emit(
+                            (
+                                f"Audiobook saved to: {final_out_path}\n\nSubtitle saved to: {srt_path}",
+                                "green",
+                            ),
+                            final_out_path,
+                        )
+                    else:
+                        self.conversion_finished.emit(
+                            (f"Audiobook saved to: {final_out_path}", "green"), final_out_path
+                        )
                 else:
-                    self.conversion_finished.emit(
+                    self.log_updated.emit(("Audio generation failed (final_out_path was not set).", "red"))
-                        (f"Audiobook saved to: {out_path}", "green"), out_path
+                    self.conversion_finished.emit(("Audio generation failed.", "red"), None)
-                    )
             elif audio_segments and not merge_chapters:
                 self.conversion_finished.emit(
                     (
@@ -606,55 +668,79 @@ class ConversionThread(QThread):
         self.waiting_for_user_input = False
         self._chapter_options_event.set()
 
-    def _generate_m4b_with_chapters(self, out_path, chapters_time):
+    def _generate_m4b_with_chapters(self, audio_data_np, chapters_time, base_filepath_no_ext):
-        # If there is only one chapter, skip adding chapters and just return the wav file path
+        final_wav_path = f"{base_filepath_no_ext}.wav"
+        
         if not chapters_time or len(chapters_time) <= 1:
             self.log_updated.emit(
-                ("File contains only one chapter or no chapters were detected. The audio will be saved as a standard .wav file instead.\n", "red")
+                (
+                    "File contains only one chapter or no chapters were detected. Audio will be saved as a standard .wav file instead.\n",
+                    "red",
+                )
             )
-            return out_path
+            try:
-        # generate chapters.txt in the same folder as the output file
+                sf.write(final_wav_path, audio_data_np, 24000, format="wav")
-        chapters_info_path = os.path.splitext(out_path)[0] + "_chapters.txt"
+                return final_wav_path
-        with open(chapters_info_path, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
+            except Exception as e_wav_single:
-            f.write(';FFMETADATA1\n') # required header for ffmpeg
+                self.log_updated.emit((f"Failed to save single/no chapter audio as WAV: {str(e_wav_single)}", "red"))
-            for chapter in chapters_time:
+                return None
-                f.write(f"[CHAPTER]\n")
-                f.write(f"TIMEBASE=1/10\n")
-                # use 10th of second for start/end time
-                f.write(f"START={int(chapter["start"]*10)}\n")
-                f.write(f"END={int(chapter["end"]*10)}\n")
-                f.write(f"title={chapter["chapter"]}\n\n")
-        # call ffmpeg to merge the chapters into the output file
-        # ffmpeg installed on first call to add_paths()
-        static_ffmpeg.add_paths()
-        import subprocess
-        out_path_m4b = os.path.splitext(out_path)[0] + ".m4b"
-        # ffmpeg -i input.m4b -i ch.txt -map 0:a -map_chapters 1 output.m4b
-        ffmpeg_cmd = [
-            "ffmpeg",
-            "-i", out_path,
-            "-i", chapters_info_path,
-            "-map", "0:a",
-            "-map_chapters", "1",
-            out_path_m4b
-        ]
 
-        self.log_updated.emit("Adding chapters to the audio file...\n")
+        output_m4b_path = f"{base_filepath_no_ext}.m4b"
-        result = subprocess.run(ffmpeg_cmd, capture_output=True, text=True)
+        chapters_info_path = f"{base_filepath_no_ext}_chapters.txt"
-        # Check for errors in the ffmpeg command
-        if result.returncode != 0:
-            self.log_updated.emit((f"FFmpeg error: {result.stderr}", "red"))
-            # Log error but continue with original file
-            self.log_updated.emit(("Falling back to the original audio file without chapters\n", "orange"))
-            return out_path
-        else:
-            self.log_updated.emit(("Successfully added chapters to the audio file.\n", "green"))
 
-        # delete the chapters path and original (wav) file
+        try:
-        os.remove(chapters_info_path)
+            with open(chapters_info_path, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
-        os.remove(out_path)
+                f.write(";FFMETADATA1\n")
-        # the new file is in m4b format - use that for messages
+                for chapter in chapters_time:
-        return out_path_m4b
+                    f.write(f"[CHAPTER]\n")
+                    f.write(f"TIMEBASE=1/1000\n") # Using milliseconds for precision
+                    f.write(f"START={int(chapter['start']*1000)}\n")
+                    f.write(f"END={int(chapter['end']*1000)}\n")
+                    f.write(f"title={chapter['chapter']}\n\n")
+
+            static_ffmpeg.add_paths()
+            ffmpeg_cmd = [
+                "ffmpeg", "-y",
+                "-thread_queue_size", "1024", # Increased thread_queue_size
+                "-f", "f32le", "-ar", "24000", "-ac", "1", "-i", "pipe:0",
+                "-i", chapters_info_path,
+                "-map", "0:a",
+                "-map_metadata", "1", 
+                "-map_chapters", "1",
+                "-c:a", "aac", "-b:a", "128k", # Explicitly AAC with a common bitrate
+                output_m4b_path,
+            ]
+
+            self.log_updated.emit(f"Generating audio with chapters...\n")
+
+            process = create_process(ffmpeg_cmd, stdin=subprocess.PIPE, text=False)  # Ensure binary stdin
+            process.stdin.write(audio_data_np.astype("float32").tobytes())
+            process.stdin.close()
+            return_code = process.wait()
+
+            if return_code == 0:
+                return output_m4b_path
+            else:
+                self.log_updated.emit(
+                    (f"FFmpeg failed to create M4B (return code {return_code}).\n\nFalling back to WAV.\n", "red")
+                )
+                sf.write(final_wav_path, audio_data_np, 24000, format="wav")
+                return final_wav_path
+
+        except Exception as e:
+            self.log_updated.emit((f"Error during M4B generation: {str(e)}.\n\nFalling back to WAV.\n", "red"))
+            try:
+                sf.write(final_wav_path, audio_data_np, 24000, format="wav")
+                return final_wav_path
+            except Exception as e_wav_fallback:
+                self.log_updated.emit((f"Critical error: Failed to save fallback WAV: {str(e_wav_fallback)}\n", "red"))
+                return None
+        finally:
+            if os.path.exists(chapters_info_path):
+                try:
+                    os.remove(chapters_info_path)
+                except Exception as e_clean:
+                    self.log_updated.emit((f"Warning: Could not delete temporary chapter file {chapters_info_path}: {e_clean}", "orange"))
 
     def _srt_time(self, t):
         """Helper function to format time for SRT files"""

abogen/gui.py

@@ -71,7 +71,6 @@ from constants import (
 )
 from threading import Thread
 from voice_formula_gui import VoiceFormulaDialog
-from platformdirs import user_desktop_dir
 from voice_profiles import load_profiles
 
 # Import ctypes for Windows-specific taskbar icon
@@ -129,6 +128,13 @@ class InputBox(QLabel):
         self.edit_btn.clicked.connect(self.on_edit_clicked)
         self.edit_btn.hide()
 
+        # Add Go to folder button
+        self.go_to_folder_btn = QPushButton("Go to folder", self)
+        self.go_to_folder_btn.setStyleSheet("QPushButton { padding: 6px 10px; }")
+        self.go_to_folder_btn.setToolTip("Open the folder that contains the converted file")
+        self.go_to_folder_btn.clicked.connect(self.on_go_to_folder_clicked)
+        self.go_to_folder_btn.hide()
+
     def resizeEvent(self, event):
         super().resizeEvent(event)
         margin = 12
@@ -139,6 +145,11 @@ class InputBox(QLabel):
         # Position textbox button at top left
         self.textbox_btn.move(margin, margin)
         self.edit_btn.move(margin, margin)
+        # Position go to folder button at bottom right
+        self.go_to_folder_btn.move(
+            self.width() - self.go_to_folder_btn.width(),
+            self.height() - self.go_to_folder_btn.height() - margin,
+        )
 
     def set_file_info(self, file_path):
         # get icon without resizing using custom provider
@@ -228,6 +239,7 @@ class InputBox(QLabel):
             should_show_edit = True
 
         self.edit_btn.setVisible(should_show_edit)
+        self.go_to_folder_btn.show()
 
     def set_error(self, message):
         self.setText(message)
@@ -250,6 +262,7 @@ class InputBox(QLabel):
         # Show textbox and hide edit when input is cleared
         self.textbox_btn.show()
         self.edit_btn.hide()
+        self.go_to_folder_btn.hide()
 
     def _human_readable_size(self, size, decimal_places=2):
         for unit in ["B", "KB", "MB", "GB", "TB"]:
@@ -290,8 +303,8 @@ class InputBox(QLabel):
                 )
                 win.selected_book_path = file_path
                 win.open_book_file(
-                    file_path
+                    file_path  # This will handle the dialog and setting file info
-                )  # This will handle the dialog and setting file info
+                )
                 event.acceptProposedAction()
             else:
                 self.set_error("Please drop a .txt, .epub, or .pdf file.")
@@ -320,6 +333,17 @@ class InputBox(QLabel):
             # For regular txt files
             win.open_textbox_dialog()
 
+    def on_go_to_folder_clicked(self):
+        win = self.window()
+        # win.selected_file holds the path to the text that is converted.
+        file_to_check = win.selected_file
+        
+        if file_to_check and os.path.exists(file_to_check) and os.path.isfile(file_to_check):
+            folder_path = os.path.dirname(file_to_check)
+            QDesktopServices.openUrl(QUrl.fromLocalFile(folder_path))
+        else:
+            QMessageBox.warning(win, "Error", "Converted file not found.")
+
 
 class TextboxDialog(QDialog):
     def __init__(self, parent=None):
@@ -328,7 +352,7 @@ class TextboxDialog(QDialog):
         self.setWindowFlags(
             Qt.Window | Qt.WindowCloseButtonHint | Qt.WindowMaximizeButtonHint
         )
-        self.resize(600, 400)
+        self.resize(700, 500)
 
         layout = QVBoxLayout(self)
 
@@ -358,6 +382,11 @@ class TextboxDialog(QDialog):
         self.save_as_button.clicked.connect(self.save_as_text)
         self.save_as_button.setToolTip("Save the current text to a file")
 
+        self.insert_chapter_btn = QPushButton("Insert Chapter Marker", self)
+        self.insert_chapter_btn.setToolTip("Insert a chapter marker at the cursor")
+        self.insert_chapter_btn.clicked.connect(self.insert_chapter_marker)
+        button_layout.addWidget(self.insert_chapter_btn)
+
         self.cancel_button = QPushButton("Cancel", self)
         self.cancel_button.clicked.connect(self.reject)
 
@@ -382,8 +411,14 @@ class TextboxDialog(QDialog):
         return self.text_edit.toPlainText()
 
     def handle_ok(self):
+        text = self.text_edit.toPlainText()
+        # Check if text is empty based on character count
+        if calculate_text_length(text) == 0:
+            QMessageBox.warning(self, "Textbox Error", "Text cannot be empty.")
+            return
+
         # If the text hasn't changed, treat as cancel
-        if self.text_edit.toPlainText() == self.original_text:
+        if text == self.original_text:
             self.reject()
         else:
             # Check if we need to warn about overwriting a non-temporary file
@@ -444,6 +479,14 @@ class TextboxDialog(QDialog):
         except Exception as e:
             QMessageBox.critical(self, "Save Error", f"Could not save file:\n{e}")
 
+    def insert_chapter_marker(self):
+        # Insert a fixed chapter marker without prompting
+        cursor = self.text_edit.textCursor()
+        cursor.insertText("<<CHAPTER_MARKER:Title>>")
+        self.text_edit.setTextCursor(cursor)
+        self.update_char_count()
+        self.text_edit.setFocus()
+
 
 class abogen(QWidget):
     def __init__(self):
@@ -670,9 +713,17 @@ class abogen(QWidget):
         format_layout = QVBoxLayout()
         format_layout.addWidget(QLabel("Output Format:", self))
         self.format_combo = QComboBox(self)
-        self.format_combo.setStyleSheet("QComboBox { min-height: 20px; padding: 6px 12px; }")
+        self.format_combo.setStyleSheet(
+            "QComboBox { min-height: 20px; padding: 6px 12px; }"
+        )
         # Add items with display labels and underlying keys
-        for key, label in [("wav","wav"),("flac","flac"),("mp3","mp3"),("m4b","m4b (with chapters)")]:
+        for key, label in [
+            ("wav", "wav"),
+            ("flac", "flac"),
+            ("mp3", "mp3"),
+            ("opus", "opus (best compression)"),
+            ("m4b", "m4b (with chapters)"),
+        ]:
             self.format_combo.addItem(label, key)
         # Initialize selection by matching saved key
         idx = self.format_combo.findData(self.selected_format)
@@ -836,9 +887,7 @@ class abogen(QWidget):
         )
         dialog.setWindowModality(Qt.NonModal)
         dialog.setModal(False)
-        dialog.show()
+        dialog.show()            # We'll handle the dialog result asynchronously
-
-        # We'll handle the dialog result asynchronously
         def on_dialog_finished(result):
             if result != QDialog.Accepted:
                 return False
@@ -853,6 +902,7 @@ class abogen(QWidget):
             self.selected_chapters = all_checked_hrefs
             self.save_chapters_separately = dialog.get_save_chapters_separately()
             self.merge_chapters_at_end = dialog.get_merge_chapters_at_end()
+            self.save_as_project = dialog.get_save_as_project()
 
             # Store if the PDF has bookmarks for button text display
             if book_path.lower().endswith(".pdf"):
@@ -861,8 +911,50 @@ class abogen(QWidget):
             # Use "abogen" prefix for temporary files
             # Extract base name without extension
             base_name = os.path.splitext(os.path.basename(book_path))[0]
-            temp_dir = os.path.join(tempfile.gettempdir(), PROGRAM_NAME)
+            
-            os.makedirs(temp_dir, exist_ok=True)
+            if self.save_as_project:
+                # Get project directory from user
+                project_dir = QFileDialog.getExistingDirectory(
+                    self, "Select Project Folder", "", QFileDialog.ShowDirsOnly
+                )
+                if not project_dir:
+                    # User cancelled, fallback to temp
+                    self.save_as_project = False
+                    temp_dir = os.path.join(tempfile.gettempdir(), PROGRAM_NAME)
+                else:
+                    # Create project folder structure
+                    project_name = f"{base_name}_project"
+                    project_dir = os.path.join(project_dir, project_name)
+                    temp_dir = os.path.join(project_dir, "text")
+                    os.makedirs(temp_dir, exist_ok=True)
+                    
+                    # Save metadata if available
+                    meta_dir = os.path.join(project_dir, "metadata")
+                    os.makedirs(meta_dir, exist_ok=True) # Save book metadata if available
+                    if hasattr(dialog, "book_metadata"):
+                        meta_path = os.path.join(meta_dir, "book_info.txt")
+                        with open(meta_path, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
+                            # Clean HTML tags from metadata
+                            title = re.sub(r'<[^>]+>', '', str(dialog.book_metadata.get('title', 'Unknown')))
+                            publisher = re.sub(r'<[^>]+>', '', str(dialog.book_metadata.get('publisher', 'Unknown')))
+                            authors = [re.sub(r'<[^>]+>', '', str(author)) for author in dialog.book_metadata.get('authors', ['Unknown'])]
+                            
+                            f.write(f"Title: {title}\n")
+                            f.write(f"Authors: {', '.join(authors)}\n")
+                            f.write(f"Publisher: {publisher}\n")
+                            if dialog.book_metadata.get('description'):
+                                description = re.sub(r'<[^>]+>', '', str(dialog.book_metadata.get('description')))
+                                f.write(f"\nDescription:\n{description}\n")
+                        
+                        # Save cover image if available
+                    if dialog.book_metadata.get("cover_image"):
+                        cover_path = os.path.join(meta_dir, "cover.png")
+                        with open(cover_path, "wb") as f:
+                            f.write(dialog.book_metadata["cover_image"])
+            else:
+                temp_dir = os.path.join(tempfile.gettempdir(), PROGRAM_NAME)
+                os.makedirs(temp_dir, exist_ok=True)
+                
             fd, tmp = tempfile.mkstemp(
                 prefix=f"abogen_{base_name}_", suffix=".txt", dir=temp_dir
             )
@@ -1102,12 +1194,20 @@ class abogen(QWidget):
         QApplication.processEvents()
 
     def update_progress(self, value, etr_str):  # Add etr_str parameter
+        # Ensure progress doesn't exceed 99%
+        if value >= 100:
+            value = 99
         self.progress_bar.setValue(value)
         self.progress_bar.setFormat("%p%")  # Keep format as percentage only
         self.etr_label.setText(
             f"Estimated time remaining: {etr_str}"
         )  # Update ETR label
         self.etr_label.show()  # Show only when estimate is ready
+
+        # Disable cancel button if progress is >= 98%
+        if value >= 98:
+            self.btn_cancel.setEnabled(False)
+
         self.progress_bar.repaint()
         QApplication.processEvents()
 
@@ -1422,6 +1522,7 @@ class abogen(QWidget):
         if self.preview_playing:
             try:
                 import pygame
+
                 pygame.mixer.music.stop()
             except Exception:
                 pass
@@ -1438,7 +1539,7 @@ class abogen(QWidget):
         self.btn_start.setEnabled(False)  # Disable start button during preview
 
         # Start loading animation - ensure signal connection is always active
-        if hasattr(self, 'loading_movie'):
+        if hasattr(self, "loading_movie"):
             # Disconnect previous connections to avoid multiple connections
             try:
                 self.loading_movie.frameChanged.disconnect()
@@ -1447,7 +1548,9 @@ class abogen(QWidget):
 
             # Reconnect the signal
             self.loading_movie.frameChanged.connect(
-                lambda: self.btn_preview.setIcon(QIcon(self.loading_movie.currentPixmap()))
+                lambda: self.btn_preview.setIcon(
+                    QIcon(self.loading_movie.currentPixmap())
+                )
             )
             self.loading_movie.start()
 
@@ -1478,14 +1581,14 @@ class abogen(QWidget):
             # Build voice formula string
             components = [f"{name}*{weight}" for name, weight in self.mixed_voice_state]
             voice = " + ".join(filter(None, components))
-            # determine language: use profile setting if available, else first voice code
+            # determine language: use profile setting, else explicit mixer selection, else fallback to first voice code
             if self.selected_profile_name:
                 from voice_profiles import load_profiles
 
                 entry = load_profiles().get(self.selected_profile_name, {})
                 lang = entry.get("language")
             else:
-                lang = None
+                lang = self.selected_lang
             if not lang and self.mixed_voice_state:
                 lang = (
                     self.mixed_voice_state[0][0][0]
@@ -1703,9 +1806,11 @@ class abogen(QWidget):
         # Add seperator
         menu.addSeparator()
 
-        # Add shortcut to desktop (Windows only)
+        # Add shortcut to desktop (Windows or Linux)
-        if platform.system() == "Windows":
+        if platform.system() == "Windows" or platform.system() == "Linux":
-            add_shortcut_action = QAction("Create desktop shortcut", self)
+            # Use extended label on Linux
+            label = "Create desktop shortcut and install" if platform.system() == "Linux" else "Create desktop shortcut"
+            add_shortcut_action = QAction(label, self)
             add_shortcut_action.triggered.connect(self.add_shortcut_to_desktop)
             menu.addAction(add_shortcut_action)
 
@@ -1778,62 +1883,133 @@ class abogen(QWidget):
 
     def add_shortcut_to_desktop(self):
         """Create a desktop shortcut to this program using PowerShell."""
-        import sys, subprocess
+        import sys
-        from PyQt5.QtWidgets import QMessageBox
+        from platformdirs import user_desktop_dir
+        from utils import create_process
 
         try:
-            # where to put the .lnk
+            if platform.system() == "Windows":
-            desktop = user_desktop_dir()
+                # where to put the .lnk
-            shortcut_path = os.path.join(desktop, "abogen.lnk")
+                desktop = user_desktop_dir()
+                shortcut_path = os.path.join(desktop, "abogen.lnk")
 
-            # target exe
+                # target exe
-            python_dir = os.path.dirname(sys.executable)
+                python_dir = os.path.dirname(sys.executable)
-            target = os.path.join(python_dir, "Scripts", "abogen.exe")
+                target = os.path.join(python_dir, "Scripts", "abogen.exe")
-            if not os.path.exists(target):
+                if not os.path.exists(target):
-                QMessageBox.critical(
+                    QMessageBox.critical(
-                    self, "Shortcut Error", f"Could not find abogen.exe at:\n{target}"
+                        self, "Shortcut Error", f"Could not find abogen.exe at:\n{target}"
+                    )
+                    return
+
+                # icon (fallback to exe if missing)
+                icon = get_resource_path("abogen.assets", "icon.ico")
+                if not icon or not os.path.exists(icon):
+                    icon = target            # Create a more direct PowerShell command
+                shortcut_ps = shortcut_path.replace("'", "''").replace("\\", "\\\\")
+                target_ps = target.replace("'", "''").replace("\\", "\\\\")
+                workdir_ps = os.path.dirname(target).replace("'", "''").replace("\\", "\\\\")
+                icon_ps = icon.replace("'", "''").replace("\\", "\\\\")
+                  # Create PowerShell script as a single line with no line breaks (more reliable)
+                ps_cmd = f"$s=New-Object -ComObject WScript.Shell; $lnk=$s.CreateShortcut('{shortcut_ps}'); $lnk.TargetPath='{target_ps}'; $lnk.WorkingDirectory='{workdir_ps}'; $lnk.IconLocation='{icon_ps}'; $lnk.Save()"
+            
+                # Run PowerShell with the command directly
+                proc = create_process("powershell -NoProfile -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Command \"" + ps_cmd + "\"")
+                proc.wait()
+            
+                if proc.returncode == 0:
+                    QMessageBox.information(
+                        self,
+                        "Shortcut Created",
+                        f"Shortcut created on desktop:\n{shortcut_path}",
+                    )
+                else:
+                    QMessageBox.critical(
+                        self,
+                        "Shortcut Error",
+                        f"PowerShell failed with exit code: {proc.returncode}"
+                    )
+            elif platform.system() == "Linux":
+                desktop = user_desktop_dir()
+                if not desktop or not os.path.isdir(desktop):
+                    QMessageBox.critical(self, "Shortcut Error", "Could not determine desktop directory.")
+                    return
+
+                shortcut_path = os.path.join(desktop, "abogen.desktop")
+
+                import shutil
+                found = shutil.which("abogen")
+                if found:
+                    target = found
+                else:
+                    local_bin = os.path.expanduser("~/.local/bin/abogen")
+                    if os.path.exists(local_bin):
+                        target = local_bin
+                    else:
+                        python_dir = os.path.dirname(sys.executable)
+                        target = os.path.join(python_dir, "bin", "abogen")
+                        if not os.path.exists(target):
+                            target_fallback = os.path.join(python_dir, "abogen")
+                            if os.path.exists(target_fallback):
+                                target = target_fallback
+                            else:
+                                QMessageBox.critical(self, "Shortcut Error", "Could not find abogen executable in PATH or common installation directories.")
+                                return
+
+                icon_path = get_resource_path("abogen.assets", "icon.png")
+
+                desktop_entry_content = f"""[Desktop Entry]
+Version={VERSION}
+Name={PROGRAM_NAME}
+Comment={PROGRAM_DESCRIPTION}
+Exec={target}
+Icon={icon_path}
+Terminal=false
+Type=Application
+Categories=AudioVideo;Audio;Utility;
+"""
+                with open(shortcut_path, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
+                    f.write(desktop_entry_content)
+
+                os.chmod(shortcut_path, 0o755)
+
+                QMessageBox.information(
+                    self,
+                    "Shortcut Created",
+                    f"Shortcut created on desktop:\n{shortcut_path}",
                 )
-                return
 
-            # icon (fallback to exe if missing)
+                # Offer installation for current user under ~/.local/share/applications
-            icon = get_resource_path("abogen.assets", "icon.ico")
+                reply = QMessageBox.question(
-            if not icon or not os.path.exists(icon):
+                    self,
-                icon = target
+                    "Install Application Entry",
+                    "Install application entry for current user?",
+                    QMessageBox.Yes | QMessageBox.No,
+                )
+                if reply == QMessageBox.Yes:
+                    import shutil
+                    user_app_dir = os.path.expanduser("~/.local/share/applications")
+                    os.makedirs(user_app_dir, exist_ok=True)
+                    user_entry = os.path.join(user_app_dir, "abogen.desktop")
+                    try:
+                        shutil.copyfile(shortcut_path, user_entry)
+                        os.chmod(user_entry, 0o644)
+                        QMessageBox.information(
+                            self,
+                            "Installation Complete",
+                            f"Desktop entry installed to {user_entry}",
+                        )
+                    except Exception as e:
+                        QMessageBox.warning(
+                            self,
+                            "Install Error",
+                            f"Could not install entry:\n{e}",
+                        )
+            else:
+                QMessageBox.information(
+                    self, "Unsupported OS", "Desktop shortcut creation is not supported on this operating system."
+                )
 
-            # PowerShell command to make the shortcut
-            ps_cmd = r"""
-                    $s = New-Object -ComObject WScript.Shell
-                    $lnk = $s.CreateShortcut('{lnk}')
-                    $lnk.TargetPath = '{tgt}'
-                    $lnk.WorkingDirectory = '{cwd}'
-                    $lnk.IconLocation = '{ico}'
-                    $lnk.Save()
-                    """.format(
-                lnk=shortcut_path.replace("'", "''"),
-                tgt=target.replace("'", "''"),
-                cwd=os.path.dirname(target).replace("'", "''"),
-                ico=icon.replace("'", "''"),
-            ).strip()
-
-            subprocess.run(
-                ["powershell", "-NoProfile", "-Command", ps_cmd],
-                check=True,
-                stdout=subprocess.PIPE,
-                stderr=subprocess.PIPE,
-            )
-
-            QMessageBox.information(
-                self,
-                "Shortcut Created",
-                f"Shortcut created on desktop:\n{shortcut_path}",
-            )
-
-        except subprocess.CalledProcessError as e:
-            QMessageBox.critical(
-                self,
-                "Shortcut Error",
-                f"PowerShell failed:\n{e.stderr.decode(errors='ignore')}",
-            )
         except Exception as e:
             QMessageBox.critical(
                 self, "Shortcut Error", f"Could not create shortcut:\n{e}"
@@ -1845,6 +2021,7 @@ class abogen(QWidget):
 
     def show_voice_formula_dialog(self):
         from voice_profiles import load_profiles
+
         profiles = load_profiles()
         initial_state = None
         selected_profile = self.selected_profile_name
@@ -2115,3 +2292,4 @@ class abogen(QWidget):
                 "Setting Saved",
                 f"Maximum words per subtitle set to {value}.",
             )
+

abogen/utils.py

@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import os
+import sys
 import json
 import warnings
 import platform
@@ -67,6 +68,7 @@ def get_version():
 # Define config path
 def get_user_config_path():
     from platformdirs import user_config_dir
+
     # TODO Config directory is changed for Linux and MacOS. But if old config exists, it will be used.
     # On non‑Windows, prefer ~/.config/abogen if it already exists
     if platform.system() != "Windows":
@@ -101,6 +103,89 @@ def clean_text(text, *args, **kwargs):
     return text
 
 
+default_encoding = sys.getfilesystemencoding()
+
+def create_process(cmd, stdin=None, text=True):
+    import logging
+    logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+    
+    # Configure root logger to output to console if not already configured
+    root = logging.getLogger()
+    if not root.handlers:
+        handler = logging.StreamHandler(sys.stdout)
+        formatter = logging.Formatter('%(message)s')
+        handler.setFormatter(formatter)
+        root.addHandler(handler)
+        root.setLevel(logging.INFO)
+    
+    # Determine shell usage: use shell only for string commands
+    use_shell = isinstance(cmd, str)
+    kwargs = {
+        "shell": use_shell,
+        "stdout": subprocess.PIPE,
+        "stderr": subprocess.STDOUT,
+        "bufsize": 1,  # Line buffered
+    }
+
+    if text:
+        # Configure for text I/O
+        kwargs["text"] = True
+        kwargs["encoding"] = default_encoding
+        kwargs["errors"] = "replace"
+    else:
+        # Configure for binary I/O
+        kwargs["text"] = False
+        # For binary mode, 'encoding' and 'errors' arguments must not be passed to Popen
+        kwargs["bufsize"] = 0  # Use unbuffered mode for binary data
+
+    if stdin is not None:
+        kwargs["stdin"] = stdin
+
+    if platform.system() == "Windows":
+        startupinfo = subprocess.STARTUPINFO()
+        startupinfo.dwFlags |= subprocess.STARTF_USESHOWWINDOW
+        startupinfo.wShowWindow = subprocess.SW_HIDE
+        kwargs.update(
+            {"startupinfo": startupinfo, "creationflags": subprocess.CREATE_NO_WINDOW}
+        )
+
+    # Print the command being executed
+    print(f"Executing: {cmd if isinstance(cmd, str) else ' '.join(cmd)}")
+    
+    proc = subprocess.Popen(cmd, **kwargs)
+    
+    # Stream output to console in real-time
+    if proc.stdout:
+        def _stream_output(stream):
+            if text:
+                # For text mode, read character by character for real-time output
+                while True:
+                    char = stream.read(1)
+                    if not char:
+                        break
+                    # Direct write to stdout for immediate feedback
+                    sys.stdout.write(char)
+                    sys.stdout.flush()
+            else:
+                # For binary mode, read small chunks
+                while True:
+                    chunk = stream.read(1)  # Read byte by byte for real-time output
+                    if not chunk:
+                        break
+                    try:
+                        # Try to decode binary data for display
+                        sys.stdout.write(chunk.decode(default_encoding, errors='replace'))
+                        sys.stdout.flush()
+                    except Exception:
+                        pass
+            stream.close()
+        
+        # Start a daemon thread to handle output streaming
+        Thread(target=_stream_output, args=(proc.stdout,), daemon=True).start()
+
+    return proc
+
+
 def load_config():
     try:
         with open(get_user_config_path(), "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
@@ -118,8 +203,10 @@ def save_config(config):
 
 
 def calculate_text_length(text):
-    # Remove double newlines (replace them with single newlines)
+    # Ignore chapter markers
-    cleaned_text = text.replace("\n\n", "")
+    text_no_markers = re.sub(r"<<CHAPTER_MARKER:.*?>>", "", text)
+    # Ignore newlines
+    cleaned_text = text_no_markers.replace("\n", "")
     # Calculate character count
     char_count = len(cleaned_text)
     return char_count
@@ -145,21 +232,15 @@ def prevent_sleep_start():
             0x80000000 | 0x00000001 | 0x00000040
         )  # ES_CONTINUOUS | ES_SYSTEM_REQUIRED | ES_AWAYMODE_REQUIRED
     elif system == "Darwin":
-        _sleep_procs["Darwin"] = subprocess.Popen(["caffeinate"])
+        _sleep_procs["Darwin"] = create_process("caffeinate")
     elif system == "Linux":
         try:
-            _sleep_procs["Linux"] = subprocess.Popen(
+            _sleep_procs["Linux"] = create_process(
-                [
+                "systemd-inhibit --what=sleep --why=TextToAudiobook conversion sleep 999999"
-                    "systemd-inhibit",
-                    "--what=sleep",
-                    "--why=TextToAudiobook conversion",
-                    "sleep",
-                    "999999",
-                ]
             )
         except Exception:
             try:
-                subprocess.Popen(["xdg-screensaver", "reset"])
+                create_process("xdg-screensaver reset")
             except Exception:
                 pass
 

abogen/voice_formula_gui.py

@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ VOICE_MIXER_WIDTH = 100
 SLIDER_WIDTH = 32
 MIN_WINDOW_WIDTH = 600
 MIN_WINDOW_HEIGHT = 400
-INITIAL_WINDOW_WIDTH = 1000
+INITIAL_WINDOW_WIDTH = 1200
 INITIAL_WINDOW_HEIGHT = 500
 
 # Language options for the language selector loaded from constants
@@ -413,6 +413,11 @@ class VoiceFormulaDialog(QDialog):
             self.language_combo.setCurrentIndex(idx)
         self.language_combo.currentIndexChanged.connect(self.mark_profile_modified)
         header_row.addWidget(self.language_combo)
+        # Preview current voice mix using main window's preview
+        self.btn_preview_mix = QPushButton("Preview", self)
+        self.btn_preview_mix.setToolTip("Preview current voice mix")
+        self.btn_preview_mix.clicked.connect(self.preview_current_mix)
+        header_row.addWidget(self.btn_preview_mix)
         mixer_layout.addLayout(header_row)
 
         # Error message
@@ -708,6 +713,9 @@ class VoiceFormulaDialog(QDialog):
         ]
 
         total = sum(w for _, w in selected)
+        # disable Preview if no voices selected, but don't enable while loading
+        if not getattr(self, "_loading", False):
+            self.btn_preview_mix.setEnabled(total > 0)
 
         if total > 0:
             self.error_label.hide()
@@ -943,6 +951,7 @@ class VoiceFormulaDialog(QDialog):
 
     def new_profile(self):
         import re
+
         while True:
             name, ok = QInputDialog.getText(self, "New Profile", "Enter profile name:")
             if not ok or not name:
@@ -950,8 +959,12 @@ class VoiceFormulaDialog(QDialog):
             name = name.strip()  # Remove leading/trailing spaces
             if not name:
                 continue
-            if not re.match(r'^[\w\- ]+$', name):
+            if not re.match(r"^[\w\- ]+$", name):
-                QMessageBox.warning(self, "Invalid Name", "Profile name can only contain letters, numbers, spaces, underscores, and hyphens.")
+                QMessageBox.warning(
+                    self,
+                    "Invalid Name",
+                    "Profile name can only contain letters, numbers, spaces, underscores, and hyphens.",
+                )
                 continue
             profiles = load_profiles()
             # Remove 'New profile' placeholder if not persisted in JSON
@@ -1173,13 +1186,16 @@ class VoiceFormulaDialog(QDialog):
     def rename_profile(self, item):
         name = item.text().lstrip("*")
         # block if profile has unsaved changes and it's not a virtual New profile
-        if self._profile_dirty.get(name, False) and not (self._virtual_new_profile and name == "New profile"):
+        if self._profile_dirty.get(name, False) and not (
+            self._virtual_new_profile and name == "New profile"
+        ):
             QMessageBox.warning(
                 self, "Unsaved Changes", "Please save the profile before renaming."
             )
             return
         old = item.text().lstrip("*")
         import re
+
         while True:
             new, ok = QInputDialog.getText(
                 self, "Rename Profile", f"Profile name:", text=old
@@ -1189,8 +1205,12 @@ class VoiceFormulaDialog(QDialog):
             new = new.strip()  # Remove leading/trailing spaces
             if not new:
                 continue
-            if not re.match(r'^[\w\- ]+$', new):
+            if not re.match(r"^[\w\- ]+$", new):
-                QMessageBox.warning(self, "Invalid Name", "Profile name can only contain letters, numbers, spaces, underscores, and hyphens.")
+                QMessageBox.warning(
+                    self,
+                    "Invalid Name",
+                    "Profile name can only contain letters, numbers, spaces, underscores, and hyphens.",
+                )
                 continue
 
             profiles = load_profiles()
@@ -1326,3 +1346,41 @@ class VoiceFormulaDialog(QDialog):
                 else:
                     item.setBackground(QColor("white"))
         self.update_profile_save_buttons()
+
+    def preview_current_mix(self):
+        # Disable preview until playback completes
+        self.btn_preview_mix.setEnabled(False)
+        self.btn_preview_mix.setText("Loading...")
+        self._loading = True
+        parent = self.parent()
+        if parent and hasattr(parent, "preview_voice"):
+            # Apply mixed voices and selected language
+            parent.mixed_voice_state = self.get_selected_voices()
+            parent.selected_profile_name = None
+            lang = self.language_combo.currentData()
+            parent.selected_lang = lang
+            parent.subtitle_combo.setEnabled(
+                lang in SUPPORTED_LANGUAGES_FOR_SUBTITLE_GENERATION
+            )
+            # Reset start flag and trigger preview
+            self._started = False
+            parent.preview_voice()
+            # Poll preview_playing: wait for start then end
+            self._preview_poll_timer = QTimer(self)
+            self._preview_poll_timer.timeout.connect(self._check_preview_done)
+            self._preview_poll_timer.start(200)
+
+    def _check_preview_done(self):
+        parent = self.parent()
+        if parent and hasattr(parent, "preview_playing"):
+            # Mark when playback starts
+            if parent.preview_playing:
+                self._started = True
+                # Update button text to "Playing..." when playback starts
+                self.btn_preview_mix.setText("Playing...")
+            # Once started and then stopped, re-enable
+            elif getattr(self, "_started", False):
+                self.btn_preview_mix.setEnabled(True)
+                self.btn_preview_mix.setText("Preview")
+                self._loading = False
+                self._preview_poll_timer.stop()