routing: fast-path voice when transcription not configured

src/daemon/routing.ts

@@ -441,14 +441,28 @@ export function createMessageRouter(deps: {
           }
           : undefined;
 
-        if (audioConfig?.endpoint) {
-          for (const att of audioAttachments) {
-            const transcript = await transcribeAudio(att, audioConfig);
-            messageText = `[Voice message]: ${transcript}\n\n${messageText}`;
-          }
-        } else {
-          // No transcription endpoint configured — inform the user gracefully
-          messageText = '[Voice message received but audio transcription is not configured. Please configure the audio section in config.yaml to enable voice message support.]';
+        if (!audioConfig?.endpoint) {
+          // Without transcription, we cannot safely send audio to a non-audio-capable model.
+          // Fast-path a deterministic, user-friendly reply instead of invoking the agent loop.
+          await reply({
+            text:
+              [
+                'I received your voice message, but I cannot transcribe it yet because audio transcription is not configured.',
+                '',
+                'To enable voice messages, set `audio.enabled: true` and configure an `audio.provider` in `config.yaml` (OpenAI/Groq/custom Whisper-compatible `/v1/audio/transcriptions`).',
+                '',
+                'Workarounds:',
+                '1. Paste the transcription text.',
+                '2. Upload the audio file somewhere and send me a direct URL.',
+              ].join('\n'),
+            replyTo: msg.id,
+          });
+          return;
+        }
+
+        for (const att of audioAttachments) {
+          const transcript = await transcribeAudio(att, audioConfig);
+          messageText = `[Voice message]: ${transcript}\n\n${messageText}`;
         }
         // Remove audio attachments so buildUserMessage doesn't create audio content parts
         attachments = (msg.attachments ?? []).filter((a: Attachment) => !isSupportedAudio(a));