chore(release): Update version to v1.4.294

docs: update README with Venice AI provider and Windows install script

.vscode/settings.json

@@ -99,6 +99,7 @@
 		"mbed",
 		"metacharacters",
 		"Miessler",
+		"mpga",
 		"nometa",
 		"numpy",
 		"ollama",

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -1,5 +1,68 @@
 # Changelog
 
+## v1.4.294 (2025-08-20)
+
+### PR [#1723](https://github.com/danielmiessler/Fabric/pull/1723) by [ksylvan](https://github.com/ksylvan): docs: update README with Venice AI provider and Windows install script
+
+- Add Venice AI provider configuration with API endpoint
+- Document Venice AI as privacy-first open-source provider
+- Include PowerShell installation script for Windows users
+- Add debug levels section to table of contents
+- Update recent major features with v1.4.294 release notes
+
+## v1.4.293 (2025-08-19)
+
+### PR [#1718](https://github.com/danielmiessler/Fabric/pull/1718) by [ksylvan](https://github.com/ksylvan): Implement Configurable Debug Logging Levels
+
+- Add --debug flag controlling runtime logging verbosity levels
+- Introduce internal/log package with Off, Basic, Detailed, Trace
+- Replace ad-hoc Debugf and globals with centralized debug logger
+- Wire debug level during early CLI argument parsing
+- Add bash, zsh, fish completions for --debug levels
+
+## v1.4.292 (2025-08-18)
+
+### PR [#1717](https://github.com/danielmiessler/Fabric/pull/1717) by [ksylvan](https://github.com/ksylvan): Highlight default vendor/model in model listing
+
+- Update PrintWithVendor signature to accept default vendor and model
+- Mark default vendor/model with asterisk in non-shell output
+- Compare vendor and model case-insensitively when marking
+- Pass registry defaults to PrintWithVendor from CLI
+- Add test ensuring default selection appears with asterisk
+### Direct commits
+
+- Docs: update version number in README updates section from v1.4.290 to v1.4.291
+
+## v1.4.291 (2025-08-18)
+
+### PR [#1715](https://github.com/danielmiessler/Fabric/pull/1715) by [ksylvan](https://github.com/ksylvan): feat: add speech-to-text via OpenAI with transcription flags and comp…
+
+- Add --transcribe-file flag to transcribe audio or video
+- Add --transcribe-model flag with model listing and completion
+- Add --split-media-file flag to chunk files over 25MB
+- Implement OpenAI transcription using Whisper and GPT-4o Transcribe
+- Integrate transcription pipeline into CLI before readability processing
+
+## v1.4.290 (2025-08-17)
+
+### PR [#1714](https://github.com/danielmiessler/Fabric/pull/1714) by [ksylvan](https://github.com/ksylvan): feat: add per-pattern model mapping support via environment variables
+
+- Add per-pattern model mapping support via environment variables
+- Implement environment variable lookup for pattern-specific models
+- Support vendor|model format in environment variable specification
+- Enable shell startup file configuration for patterns
+- Transform pattern names to uppercase environment variable format
+
+## v1.4.289 (2025-08-16)
+
+### PR [#1710](https://github.com/danielmiessler/Fabric/pull/1710) by [ksylvan](https://github.com/ksylvan): feat: add --no-variable-replacement flag to disable pattern variable …
+
+- Add --no-variable-replacement flag to disable pattern variable substitution
+- Introduce CLI flag to skip pattern variable replacement and wire it into domain request and session builder
+- Provide PatternsEntity.GetWithoutVariables for input-only pattern processing support
+- Refactor patterns code into reusable load and apply helpers
+- Update bash, zsh, fish completions with new flag and document in README and CLI help output
+
 ## v1.4.288 (2025-08-16)
 
 ### PR [#1709](https://github.com/danielmiessler/Fabric/pull/1709) by [ksylvan](https://github.com/ksylvan): Enhanced YouTube Subtitle Language Fallback Handling

README.md

@@ -57,6 +57,8 @@ Below are the **new features and capabilities** we've added (newest first):
 
 ### Recent Major Features
 
+- [v1.4.294](https://github.com/danielmiessler/fabric/releases/tag/v1.4.294) (Aug 20, 2025) — **Venice AI Support**: Added the Venice AI provider. Venice is a Privacy-First, Open-Source AI provider. See their ["About Venice"](https://docs.venice.ai/overview/about-venice) page for details.
+- [v1.4.291](https://github.com/danielmiessler/fabric/releases/tag/v1.4.291) (Aug 18, 2025) — **Speech To Text**: Add OpenAI speech-to-text support with `--transcribe-file`, `--transcribe-model`, and `--split-media-file` flags.
 - [v1.4.287](https://github.com/danielmiessler/fabric/releases/tag/v1.4.287) (Aug 16, 2025) — **AI Reasoning**: Add Thinking to Gemini models and introduce `readme_updates` python script
 - [v1.4.286](https://github.com/danielmiessler/fabric/releases/tag/v1.4.286) (Aug 14, 2025) — **AI Reasoning**: Introduce Thinking Config Across Anthropic and OpenAI Providers
 - [v1.4.285](https://github.com/danielmiessler/fabric/releases/tag/v1.4.285) (Aug 13, 2025) — **Extended Context**: Enable One Million Token Context Beta Feature for Sonnet-4
@@ -127,6 +129,7 @@ Keep in mind that many of these were recorded when Fabric was Python-based, so r
     - [From Source](#from-source)
     - [Environment Variables](#environment-variables)
     - [Setup](#setup)
+    - [Per-Pattern Model Mapping](#per-pattern-model-mapping)
     - [Add aliases for all patterns](#add-aliases-for-all-patterns)
       - [Save your files in markdown using aliases](#save-your-files-in-markdown-using-aliases)
     - [Migration](#migration)
@@ -137,6 +140,7 @@ Keep in mind that many of these were recorded when Fabric was Python-based, so r
       - [Bash Completion](#bash-completion)
       - [Fish Completion](#fish-completion)
   - [Usage](#usage)
+    - [Debug Levels](#debug-levels)
   - [Our approach to prompting](#our-approach-to-prompting)
   - [Examples](#examples)
   - [Just use the Patterns](#just-use-the-patterns)
@@ -207,6 +211,17 @@ To install Fabric, you can use the latest release binaries or install it from th
 
 `https://github.com/danielmiessler/fabric/releases/latest/download/fabric-windows-amd64.exe`
 
+Or via PowerShell, just copy and paste and run the following snippet to install the binary into `{HOME}\.local\bin`. Please make sure that directory is included in your `PATH`.
+
+```powershell
+$ErrorActionPreference = "Stop"
+$LATEST="https://github.com/danielmiessler/fabric/releases/latest/download/fabric-windows-amd64.exe"
+$DIR="${HOME}\.local\bin"
+New-Item -Path $DIR -ItemType Directory -Force
+Invoke-WebRequest -URI  "${LATEST}" -outfile "${DIR}\fabric.exe"
+& "${DIR}\fabric.exe" /version
+```
+
 #### macOS (arm64)
 
 `curl -L https://github.com/danielmiessler/fabric/releases/latest/download/fabric-darwin-arm64 > fabric && chmod +x fabric && ./fabric --version`
@@ -284,6 +299,13 @@ fabric --setup
 
 If everything works you are good to go.
 
+### Per-Pattern Model Mapping
+
+ You can configure specific models for individual patterns using environment variables
+ like `FABRIC_MODEL_PATTERN_NAME=vendor|model`
+
+ This makes it easy to maintain these per-pattern model mappings in your shell startup files.
+
 ### Add aliases for all patterns
 
 In order to add aliases for all your patterns and use them directly as commands ie. `summarize` instead of `fabric --pattern summarize`
@@ -591,6 +613,7 @@ Application Options:
       --printsession=               Print session
       --readability                 Convert HTML input into a clean, readable view
       --input-has-vars              Apply variables to user input
+      --no-variable-replacement     Disable pattern variable replacement
       --dry-run                     Show what would be sent to the model without actually sending it
       --serve                       Serve the Fabric Rest API
       --serveOllama                 Serve the Fabric Rest API with ollama endpoints
@@ -626,10 +649,20 @@ Application Options:
       --yt-dlp-args=                Additional arguments to pass to yt-dlp (e.g. '--cookies-from-browser brave')
       --thinking=                   Set reasoning/thinking level (e.g., off, low, medium, high, or
                                     numeric tokens for Anthropic or Google Gemini)
+      --debug=                     Set debug level (0: off, 1: basic, 2: detailed, 3: trace)
 Help Options:
   -h, --help                        Show this help message
 ```
 
+### Debug Levels
+
+Use the `--debug` flag to control runtime logging:
+
+- `0`: off (default)
+- `1`: basic debug info
+- `2`: detailed debugging
+- `3`: trace level
+
 ## Our approach to prompting
 
 Fabric _Patterns_ are different than most prompts you'll see.
@@ -639,7 +672,7 @@ Fabric _Patterns_ are different than most prompts you'll see.
 Here's an example of a Fabric Pattern.
 
 ```bash
-https://github.com/danielmiessler/fabric/blob/main/patterns/extract_wisdom/system.md
+https://github.com/danielmiessler/Fabric/blob/main/data/patterns/extract_wisdom/system.md
 ```
 
 <img width="1461" alt="pattern-example" src="https://github.com/danielmiessler/fabric/assets/50654/b910c551-9263-405f-9735-71ca69bbab6d">

cmd/fabric/version.go

@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 package main
 
-var version = "v1.4.288"
+var version = "v1.4.294"

completions/_fabric

@@ -59,6 +59,13 @@ _fabric_gemini_voices() {
   compadd -X "Gemini TTS Voices:" ${voices}
 }
 
+_fabric_transcription_models() {
+  local -a models
+  local cmd=${words[1]}
+  models=(${(f)"$($cmd --list-transcription-models --shell-complete-list 2>/dev/null)"})
+  compadd -X "Transcription Models:" ${models}
+}
+
 _fabric() {
   local curcontext="$curcontext" state line
   typeset -A opt_args
@@ -107,6 +114,7 @@ _fabric() {
     '(--printsession)--printsession[Print session]:session:_fabric_sessions' \
     '(--readability)--readability[Convert HTML input into a clean, readable view]' \
     '(--input-has-vars)--input-has-vars[Apply variables to user input]' \
+    '(--no-variable-replacement)--no-variable-replacement[Disable pattern variable replacement]' \
     '(--dry-run)--dry-run[Show what would be sent to the model without actually sending it]' \
     '(--serve)--serve[Serve the Fabric Rest API]' \
     '(--serveOllama)--serveOllama[Serve the Fabric Rest API with ollama endpoints]' \
@@ -134,6 +142,10 @@ _fabric() {
     '(--think-start-tag)--think-start-tag[Start tag for thinking sections (default: <think>)]:start tag:' \
     '(--think-end-tag)--think-end-tag[End tag for thinking sections (default: </think>)]:end tag:' \
     '(--disable-responses-api)--disable-responses-api[Disable OpenAI Responses API (default: false)]' \
+    '(--transcribe-file)--transcribe-file[Audio or video file to transcribe]:audio file:_files -g "*.mp3 *.mp4 *.mpeg *.mpga *.m4a *.wav *.webm"' \
+    '(--transcribe-model)--transcribe-model[Model to use for transcription (separate from chat model)]:transcribe model:_fabric_transcription_models' \
+    '(--split-media-file)--split-media-file[Split audio/video files larger than 25MB using ffmpeg]' \
+    '(--debug)--debug[Set debug level (0=off, 1=basic, 2=detailed, 3=trace)]:debug level:(0 1 2 3)' \
     '(--notification)--notification[Send desktop notification when command completes]' \
     '(--notification-command)--notification-command[Custom command to run for notifications]:notification command:' \
     '(-h --help)'{-h,--help}'[Show this help message]' \

completions/fabric.bash

@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ _fabric() {
   _get_comp_words_by_ref -n : cur prev words cword
 
   # Define all possible options/flags
-  local opts="--pattern -p --variable -v --context -C --session --attachment -a --setup -S --temperature -t --topp -T --stream -s --presencepenalty -P --raw -r --frequencypenalty -F --listpatterns -l --listmodels -L --listcontexts -x --listsessions -X --updatepatterns -U --copy -c --model -m --vendor -V --modelContextLength --output -o --output-session --latest -n --changeDefaultModel -d --youtube -y --playlist --transcript --transcript-with-timestamps --comments --metadata --yt-dlp-args --language -g --scrape_url -u --scrape_question -q --seed -e --thinking --wipecontext -w --wipesession -W --printcontext --printsession --readability --input-has-vars --dry-run --serve --serveOllama --address --api-key --config --search --search-location --image-file --image-size --image-quality --image-compression --image-background --suppress-think --think-start-tag --think-end-tag --disable-responses-api --voice --list-gemini-voices --notification --notification-command --version --listextensions --addextension --rmextension --strategy --liststrategies --listvendors --shell-complete-list --help -h"
+  local opts="--pattern -p --variable -v --context -C --session --attachment -a --setup -S --temperature -t --topp -T --stream -s --presencepenalty -P --raw -r --frequencypenalty -F --listpatterns -l --listmodels -L --listcontexts -x --listsessions -X --updatepatterns -U --copy -c --model -m --vendor -V --modelContextLength --output -o --output-session --latest -n --changeDefaultModel -d --youtube -y --playlist --transcript --transcript-with-timestamps --comments --metadata --yt-dlp-args --language -g --scrape_url -u --scrape_question -q --seed -e --thinking --wipecontext -w --wipesession -W --printcontext --printsession --readability --input-has-vars --no-variable-replacement --dry-run --serve --serveOllama --address --api-key --config --search --search-location --image-file --image-size --image-quality --image-compression --image-background --suppress-think --think-start-tag --think-end-tag --disable-responses-api --transcribe-file --transcribe-model --split-media-file --voice --list-gemini-voices --notification --notification-command --debug --version --listextensions --addextension --rmextension --strategy --liststrategies --listvendors --shell-complete-list --help -h"
 
   # Helper function for dynamic completions
   _fabric_get_list() {
@@ -74,8 +74,16 @@ _fabric() {
     COMPREPLY=($(compgen -W "$(_fabric_get_list --list-gemini-voices)" -- "${cur}"))
     return 0
     ;;
+  --transcribe-model)
+    COMPREPLY=($(compgen -W "$(_fabric_get_list --list-transcription-models)" -- "${cur}"))
+    return 0
+    ;;
+  --debug)
+    COMPREPLY=($(compgen -W "0 1 2 3" -- "${cur}"))
+    return 0
+    ;;
   # Options requiring file/directory paths
-  -a | --attachment | -o | --output | --config | --addextension | --image-file)
+  -a | --attachment | -o | --output | --config | --addextension | --image-file | --transcribe-file)
     _filedir
     return 0
     ;;

completions/fabric.fish

@@ -47,6 +47,11 @@ function __fabric_get_gemini_voices
         $cmd --list-gemini-voices --shell-complete-list 2>/dev/null
 end
 
+function __fabric_get_transcription_models
+        set cmd (commandline -opc)[1]
+        $cmd --list-transcription-models --shell-complete-list 2>/dev/null
+end
+
 # Main completion function
 function __fabric_register_completions
         set cmd $argv[1]
@@ -92,6 +97,9 @@ function __fabric_register_completions
         complete -c $cmd -l think-start-tag -d "Start tag for thinking sections (default: <think>)"
         complete -c $cmd -l think-end-tag -d "End tag for thinking sections (default: </think>)"
         complete -c $cmd -l voice -d "TTS voice name for supported models (e.g., Kore, Charon, Puck)" -a "(__fabric_get_gemini_voices)"
+        complete -c $cmd -l transcribe-file -d "Audio or video file to transcribe" -r -a "*.mp3 *.mp4 *.mpeg *.mpga *.m4a *.wav *.webm"
+        complete -c $cmd -l transcribe-model -d "Model to use for transcription (separate from chat model)" -a "(__fabric_get_transcription_models)"
+        complete -c $cmd -l debug -d "Set debug level (0=off, 1=basic, 2=detailed, 3=trace)" -a "0 1 2 3"
         complete -c $cmd -l notification-command -d "Custom command to run for notifications (overrides built-in notifications)"
 
         # Boolean flags (no arguments)
@@ -113,8 +121,9 @@ function __fabric_register_completions
         complete -c $cmd -l metadata -d "Output video metadata"
         complete -c $cmd -l yt-dlp-args -d "Additional arguments to pass to yt-dlp (e.g. '--cookies-from-browser brave')"
         complete -c $cmd -l readability -d "Convert HTML input into a clean, readable view"
-        complete -c $cmd -l input-has-vars -d "Apply variables to user input"
-        complete -c $cmd -l dry-run -d "Show what would be sent to the model without actually sending it"
+       complete -c $cmd -l input-has-vars -d "Apply variables to user input"
+       complete -c $cmd -l no-variable-replacement -d "Disable pattern variable replacement"
+       complete -c $cmd -l dry-run -d "Show what would be sent to the model without actually sending it"
         complete -c $cmd -l search -d "Enable web search tool for supported models (Anthropic, OpenAI, Gemini)"
         complete -c $cmd -l serve -d "Serve the Fabric Rest API"
         complete -c $cmd -l serveOllama -d "Serve the Fabric Rest API with ollama endpoints"
@@ -126,6 +135,7 @@ function __fabric_register_completions
         complete -c $cmd -l shell-complete-list -d "Output raw list without headers/formatting (for shell completion)"
         complete -c $cmd -l suppress-think -d "Suppress text enclosed in thinking tags"
         complete -c $cmd -l disable-responses-api -d "Disable OpenAI Responses API (default: false)"
+        complete -c $cmd -l split-media-file -d "Split audio/video files larger than 25MB using ffmpeg"
         complete -c $cmd -l notification -d "Send desktop notification when command completes"
         complete -c $cmd -s h -l help -d "Show this help message"
 end

docs/Using-Speech-To-Text.md

@@ -0,0 +1,139 @@
+# Using Speech-To-Text (STT) with Fabric
+
+Fabric supports speech-to-text transcription of audio and video files using OpenAI's transcription models. This feature allows you to convert spoken content into text that can then be processed through Fabric's patterns.
+
+## Overview
+
+The STT feature integrates OpenAI's Whisper and GPT-4o transcription models to convert audio/video files into text. The transcribed text is automatically passed as input to your chosen pattern or chat session.
+
+## Requirements
+
+- OpenAI API key configured in Fabric
+- For files larger than 25MB: `ffmpeg` installed on your system
+- Supported audio/video formats: `.mp3`, `.mp4`, `.mpeg`, `.mpga`, `.m4a`, `.wav`, `.webm`
+
+## Basic Usage
+
+### Simple Transcription
+
+To transcribe an audio file and send the result to a pattern:
+
+```bash
+fabric --transcribe-file /path/to/audio.mp3 --transcribe-model whisper-1 --pattern summarize
+```
+
+### Transcription Only
+
+To just transcribe a file without applying a pattern:
+
+```bash
+fabric --transcribe-file /path/to/audio.mp3 --transcribe-model whisper-1
+```
+
+## Command Line Flags
+
+### Required Flags
+
+- `--transcribe-file`: Path to the audio or video file to transcribe
+- `--transcribe-model`: Model to use for transcription (required when using transcription)
+
+### Optional Flags
+
+- `--split-media-file`: Automatically split files larger than 25MB into chunks using ffmpeg
+
+## Available Models
+
+You can list all available transcription models with:
+
+```bash
+fabric --list-transcription-models
+```
+
+Currently supported models:
+
+- `whisper-1`: OpenAI's Whisper model
+- `gpt-4o-mini-transcribe`: GPT-4o Mini transcription model
+- `gpt-4o-transcribe`: GPT-4o transcription model
+
+## File Size Handling
+
+### Files Under 25MB
+
+Files under the 25MB limit are processed directly without any special handling.
+
+### Files Over 25MB
+
+For files exceeding OpenAI's 25MB limit, you have two options:
+
+1. **Manual handling**: The command will fail with an error message suggesting to use `--split-media-file`
+2. **Automatic splitting**: Use the `--split-media-file` flag to automatically split the file into chunks
+
+```bash
+fabric --transcribe-file large_recording.mp4 --transcribe-model whisper-1 --split-media-file --pattern summarize
+```
+
+When splitting is enabled:
+
+- Fabric uses `ffmpeg` to split the file into 10-minute segments initially
+- If segments are still too large, it reduces the segment time by half repeatedly
+- All segments are transcribed and the results are concatenated
+- Temporary files are automatically cleaned up after processing
+
+## Integration with Patterns
+
+The transcribed text is seamlessly integrated into Fabric's workflow:
+
+1. File is transcribed using the specified model
+2. Transcribed text becomes the input message
+3. Text is sent to the specified pattern or chat session
+
+### Example Workflows
+
+**Meeting transcription and summarization:**
+
+```bash
+fabric --transcribe-file meeting.mp4 --transcribe-model gpt-4o-transcribe --pattern summarize
+```
+
+**Interview analysis:**
+
+```bash
+fabric --transcribe-file interview.mp3 --transcribe-model whisper-1 --pattern extract_insights
+```
+
+**Large video file processing:**
+
+```bash
+fabric --transcribe-file presentation.mp4 --transcribe-model gpt-4o-transcribe --split-media-file --pattern create_summary
+```
+
+## Error Handling
+
+Common error scenarios:
+
+- **Unsupported format**: Only the listed audio/video formats are supported
+- **File too large**: Use `--split-media-file` for files over 25MB
+- **Missing ffmpeg**: Install ffmpeg for automatic file splitting
+- **Invalid model**: Use `--list-transcription-models` to see available models
+- **Missing model**: The `--transcribe-model` flag is required when using `--transcribe-file`
+
+## Technical Details
+
+### Implementation
+
+- Transcription is handled in `internal/cli/transcribe.go:14`
+- OpenAI-specific implementation in `internal/plugins/ai/openai/openai_audio.go:41`
+- File splitting uses ffmpeg with configurable segment duration
+- Supports any vendor that implements the `transcriber` interface
+
+### Processing Pipeline
+
+1. CLI validates file format and size
+2. If file > 25MB and splitting enabled, file is split using ffmpeg
+3. Each file/segment is sent to OpenAI's transcription API
+4. Results are concatenated with spaces between segments
+5. Transcribed text is passed as input to the main Fabric pipeline
+
+### Vendor Support
+
+Currently, only OpenAI is supported for transcription, but the interface allows for future expansion to other vendors that provide transcription capabilities.

internal/cli/chat.go

@@ -18,6 +18,19 @@ func handleChatProcessing(currentFlags *Flags, registry *core.PluginRegistry, me
 	if messageTools != "" {
 		currentFlags.AppendMessage(messageTools)
 	}
+	// Check for pattern-specific model via environment variable
+	if currentFlags.Pattern != "" && currentFlags.Model == "" {
+		envVar := "FABRIC_MODEL_" + strings.ToUpper(strings.ReplaceAll(currentFlags.Pattern, "-", "_"))
+		if modelSpec := os.Getenv(envVar); modelSpec != "" {
+			parts := strings.SplitN(modelSpec, "|", 2)
+			if len(parts) == 2 {
+				currentFlags.Vendor = parts[0]
+				currentFlags.Model = parts[1]
+			} else {
+				currentFlags.Model = modelSpec
+			}
+		}
+	}
 
 	var chatter *core.Chatter
 	if chatter, err = registry.GetChatter(currentFlags.Model, currentFlags.ModelContextLength,

internal/cli/cli.go

@@ -74,6 +74,15 @@ func Cli(version string) (err error) {
 		return
 	}
 
+	// Handle transcription if specified
+	if currentFlags.TranscribeFile != "" {
+		var transcriptionMessage string
+		if transcriptionMessage, err = handleTranscription(currentFlags, registry); err != nil {
+			return
+		}
+		currentFlags.Message = AppendMessage(currentFlags.Message, transcriptionMessage)
+	}
+
 	// Process HTML readability if needed
 	if currentFlags.HtmlReadability {
 		if msg, cleanErr := converter.HtmlReadability(currentFlags.Message); cleanErr != nil {

internal/cli/flags.go

@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/danielmiessler/fabric/internal/chat"
 	"github.com/danielmiessler/fabric/internal/domain"
+	debuglog "github.com/danielmiessler/fabric/internal/log"
 	"github.com/danielmiessler/fabric/internal/util"
 	"github.com/jessevdk/go-flags"
 	"golang.org/x/text/language"
@@ -66,6 +67,7 @@ type Flags struct {
 	PrintSession                    string               `long:"printsession" description:"Print session"`
 	HtmlReadability                 bool                 `long:"readability" description:"Convert HTML input into a clean, readable view"`
 	InputHasVars                    bool                 `long:"input-has-vars" description:"Apply variables to user input"`
+	NoVariableReplacement           bool                 `long:"no-variable-replacement" description:"Disable pattern variable replacement"`
 	DryRun                          bool                 `long:"dry-run" description:"Show what would be sent to the model without actually sending it"`
 	Serve                           bool                 `long:"serve" description:"Serve the Fabric Rest API"`
 	ServeOllama                     bool                 `long:"serveOllama" description:"Serve the Fabric Rest API with ollama endpoints"`
@@ -91,23 +93,21 @@ type Flags struct {
 	ThinkStartTag                   string               `long:"think-start-tag" yaml:"thinkStartTag" description:"Start tag for thinking sections" default:"<think>"`
 	ThinkEndTag                     string               `long:"think-end-tag" yaml:"thinkEndTag" description:"End tag for thinking sections" default:"</think>"`
 	DisableResponsesAPI             bool                 `long:"disable-responses-api" yaml:"disableResponsesAPI" description:"Disable OpenAI Responses API (default: false)"`
+	TranscribeFile                  string               `long:"transcribe-file" yaml:"transcribeFile" description:"Audio or video file to transcribe"`
+	TranscribeModel                 string               `long:"transcribe-model" yaml:"transcribeModel" description:"Model to use for transcription (separate from chat model)"`
+	SplitMediaFile                  bool                 `long:"split-media-file" yaml:"splitMediaFile" description:"Split audio/video files larger than 25MB using ffmpeg"`
 	Voice                           string               `long:"voice" yaml:"voice" description:"TTS voice name for supported models (e.g., Kore, Charon, Puck)" default:"Kore"`
 	ListGeminiVoices                bool                 `long:"list-gemini-voices" description:"List all available Gemini TTS voices"`
+	ListTranscriptionModels         bool                 `long:"list-transcription-models" description:"List all available transcription models"`
 	Notification                    bool                 `long:"notification" yaml:"notification" description:"Send desktop notification when command completes"`
 	NotificationCommand             string               `long:"notification-command" yaml:"notificationCommand" description:"Custom command to run for notifications (overrides built-in notifications)"`
 	Thinking                        domain.ThinkingLevel `long:"thinking" yaml:"thinking" description:"Set reasoning/thinking level (e.g., off, low, medium, high, or numeric tokens for Anthropic or Google Gemini)"`
-}
-
-var debug = false
-
-func Debugf(format string, a ...interface{}) {
-	if debug {
-		fmt.Printf("DEBUG: "+format, a...)
-	}
+	Debug                           int                  `long:"debug" description:"Set debug level (0=off, 1=basic, 2=detailed, 3=trace)" default:"0"`
 }
 
 // Init Initialize flags. returns a Flags struct and an error
 func Init() (ret *Flags, err error) {
+	debuglog.SetLevel(debuglog.LevelFromInt(parseDebugLevel(os.Args[1:])))
 	// Track which yaml-configured flags were set on CLI
 	usedFlags := make(map[string]bool)
 	yamlArgsScan := os.Args[1:]
@@ -123,11 +123,11 @@ func Init() (ret *Flags, err error) {
 			shortTag := field.Tag.Get("short")
 			if longTag != "" {
 				flagToYamlTag[longTag] = yamlTag
-				Debugf("Mapped long flag %s to yaml tag %s\n", longTag, yamlTag)
+				debuglog.Debug(debuglog.Detailed, "Mapped long flag %s to yaml tag %s\n", longTag, yamlTag)
 			}
 			if shortTag != "" {
 				flagToYamlTag[shortTag] = yamlTag
-				Debugf("Mapped short flag %s to yaml tag %s\n", shortTag, yamlTag)
+				debuglog.Debug(debuglog.Detailed, "Mapped short flag %s to yaml tag %s\n", shortTag, yamlTag)
 			}
 		}
 	}
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ func Init() (ret *Flags, err error) {
 		if flag != "" {
 			if yamlTag, exists := flagToYamlTag[flag]; exists {
 				usedFlags[yamlTag] = true
-				Debugf("CLI flag used: %s (yaml: %s)\n", flag, yamlTag)
+				debuglog.Debug(debuglog.Detailed, "CLI flag used: %s (yaml: %s)\n", flag, yamlTag)
 			}
 		}
 	}
@@ -151,6 +151,7 @@ func Init() (ret *Flags, err error) {
 	if args, err = parser.Parse(); err != nil {
 		return
 	}
+	debuglog.SetLevel(debuglog.LevelFromInt(ret.Debug))
 
 	// Check to see if a ~/.config/fabric/config.yaml config file exists (only when user didn't specify a config)
 	if ret.Config == "" {
@@ -158,7 +159,7 @@ func Init() (ret *Flags, err error) {
 		if defaultConfigPath, err := util.GetDefaultConfigPath(); err == nil && defaultConfigPath != "" {
 			ret.Config = defaultConfigPath
 		} else if err != nil {
-			Debugf("Could not determine default config path: %v\n", err)
+			debuglog.Debug(debuglog.Detailed, "Could not determine default config path: %v\n", err)
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -183,13 +184,13 @@ func Init() (ret *Flags, err error) {
 					if flagField.CanSet() {
 						if yamlField.Type() != flagField.Type() {
 							if err := assignWithConversion(flagField, yamlField); err != nil {
-								Debugf("Type conversion failed for %s: %v\n", yamlTag, err)
+								debuglog.Debug(debuglog.Detailed, "Type conversion failed for %s: %v\n", yamlTag, err)
 								continue
 							}
 						} else {
 							flagField.Set(yamlField)
 						}
-						Debugf("Applied YAML value for %s: %v\n", yamlTag, yamlField.Interface())
+						debuglog.Debug(debuglog.Detailed, "Applied YAML value for %s: %v\n", yamlTag, yamlField.Interface())
 					}
 				}
 			}
@@ -215,6 +216,22 @@ func Init() (ret *Flags, err error) {
 	return
 }
 
+func parseDebugLevel(args []string) int {
+	for i := 0; i < len(args); i++ {
+		arg := args[i]
+		if arg == "--debug" && i+1 < len(args) {
+			if lvl, err := strconv.Atoi(args[i+1]); err == nil {
+				return lvl
+			}
+		} else if strings.HasPrefix(arg, "--debug=") {
+			if lvl, err := strconv.Atoi(strings.TrimPrefix(arg, "--debug=")); err == nil {
+				return lvl
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return 0
+}
+
 func extractFlag(arg string) string {
 	var flag string
 	if strings.HasPrefix(arg, "--") {
@@ -284,7 +301,7 @@ func loadYAMLConfig(configPath string) (*Flags, error) {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("error parsing config file: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	Debugf("Config: %v\n", config)
+	debuglog.Debug(debuglog.Detailed, "Config: %v\n", config)
 
 	return config, nil
 }
@@ -460,13 +477,14 @@ func (o *Flags) BuildChatOptions() (ret *domain.ChatOptions, err error) {
 
 func (o *Flags) BuildChatRequest(Meta string) (ret *domain.ChatRequest, err error) {
 	ret = &domain.ChatRequest{
-		ContextName:      o.Context,
-		SessionName:      o.Session,
-		PatternName:      o.Pattern,
-		StrategyName:     o.Strategy,
-		PatternVariables: o.PatternVariables,
-		InputHasVars:     o.InputHasVars,
-		Meta:             Meta,
+		ContextName:           o.Context,
+		SessionName:           o.Session,
+		PatternName:           o.Pattern,
+		StrategyName:          o.Strategy,
+		PatternVariables:      o.PatternVariables,
+		InputHasVars:          o.InputHasVars,
+		NoVariableReplacement: o.NoVariableReplacement,
+		Meta:                  Meta,
 	}
 
 	var message *chat.ChatCompletionMessage

internal/cli/listing.go

@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@ import (
 	"os"
 	"strconv"
 
+	openai "github.com/openai/openai-go"
+
 	"github.com/danielmiessler/fabric/internal/core"
 	"github.com/danielmiessler/fabric/internal/plugins/ai"
 	"github.com/danielmiessler/fabric/internal/plugins/ai/gemini"
@@ -39,7 +41,7 @@ func handleListingCommands(currentFlags *Flags, fabricDb *fsdb.Db, registry *cor
 		if currentFlags.ShellCompleteOutput {
 			models.Print(true)
 		} else {
-			models.PrintWithVendor(false)
+			models.PrintWithVendor(false, registry.Defaults.Vendor.Value, registry.Defaults.Model.Value)
 		}
 		return true, nil
 	}
@@ -70,5 +72,30 @@ func handleListingCommands(currentFlags *Flags, fabricDb *fsdb.Db, registry *cor
 		return true, nil
 	}
 
+	if currentFlags.ListTranscriptionModels {
+		listTranscriptionModels(currentFlags.ShellCompleteOutput)
+		return true, nil
+	}
+
 	return false, nil
 }
+
+// listTranscriptionModels lists all available transcription models
+func listTranscriptionModels(shellComplete bool) {
+	models := []string{
+		string(openai.AudioModelWhisper1),
+		string(openai.AudioModelGPT4oMiniTranscribe),
+		string(openai.AudioModelGPT4oTranscribe),
+	}
+
+	if shellComplete {
+		for _, model := range models {
+			fmt.Println(model)
+		}
+	} else {
+		fmt.Println("Available transcription models:")
+		for _, model := range models {
+			fmt.Printf("  %s\n", model)
+		}
+	}
+}

internal/cli/transcribe.go

@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+package cli
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+
+	"github.com/danielmiessler/fabric/internal/core"
+)
+
+type transcriber interface {
+	TranscribeFile(ctx context.Context, filePath, model string, split bool) (string, error)
+}
+
+func handleTranscription(flags *Flags, registry *core.PluginRegistry) (message string, err error) {
+	vendorName := flags.Vendor
+	if vendorName == "" {
+		vendorName = "OpenAI"
+	}
+	vendor, ok := registry.VendorManager.VendorsByName[vendorName]
+	if !ok {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("vendor %s not configured", vendorName)
+	}
+	tr, ok := vendor.(transcriber)
+	if !ok {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("vendor %s does not support audio transcription", vendorName)
+	}
+	model := flags.TranscribeModel
+	if model == "" {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("transcription model is required (use --transcribe-model)")
+	}
+	if message, err = tr.TranscribeFile(context.Background(), flags.TranscribeFile, model, flags.SplitMediaFile); err != nil {
+		return
+	}
+	return
+}

internal/core/chatter.go

@@ -180,7 +180,7 @@ func (o *Chatter) BuildSession(request *domain.ChatRequest, raw bool) (session *
 	}
 
 	// Now we know request.Message is not nil, process template variables
-	if request.InputHasVars {
+	if request.InputHasVars && !request.NoVariableReplacement {
 		request.Message.Content, err = template.ApplyTemplate(request.Message.Content, request.PatternVariables, "")
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, err
@@ -190,7 +190,12 @@ func (o *Chatter) BuildSession(request *domain.ChatRequest, raw bool) (session *
 	var patternContent string
 	inputUsed := false
 	if request.PatternName != "" {
-		pattern, err := o.db.Patterns.GetApplyVariables(request.PatternName, request.PatternVariables, request.Message.Content)
+		var pattern *fsdb.Pattern
+		if request.NoVariableReplacement {
+			pattern, err = o.db.Patterns.GetWithoutVariables(request.PatternName, request.Message.Content)
+		} else {
+			pattern, err = o.db.Patterns.GetApplyVariables(request.PatternName, request.PatternVariables, request.Message.Content)
+		}
 
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("could not get pattern %s: %v", request.PatternName, err)

internal/core/plugin_registry_test.go

@@ -81,8 +81,10 @@ func TestGetChatter_WarnsOnAmbiguousModel(t *testing.T) {
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("GetChatter() error = %v", err)
 	}
-	if chatter.vendor.GetName() != "VendorA" {
-		t.Fatalf("expected vendor VendorA, got %s", chatter.vendor.GetName())
+	// Verify that one of the valid vendors was selected (don't care which one due to map iteration randomness)
+	vendorName := chatter.vendor.GetName()
+	if vendorName != "VendorA" && vendorName != "VendorB" {
+		t.Fatalf("expected vendor VendorA or VendorB, got %s", vendorName)
 	}
 	if !strings.Contains(string(warning), "multiple vendors provide model shared-model") {
 		t.Fatalf("expected warning about multiple vendors, got %q", string(warning))

internal/domain/domain.go

@@ -13,15 +13,16 @@ const (
 )
 
 type ChatRequest struct {
-	ContextName      string
-	SessionName      string
-	PatternName      string
-	PatternVariables map[string]string
-	Message          *chat.ChatCompletionMessage
-	Language         string
-	Meta             string
-	InputHasVars     bool
-	StrategyName     string
+	ContextName           string
+	SessionName           string
+	PatternName           string
+	PatternVariables      map[string]string
+	Message               *chat.ChatCompletionMessage
+	Language              string
+	Meta                  string
+	InputHasVars          bool
+	NoVariableReplacement bool
+	StrategyName          string
 }
 
 type ChatOptions struct {

internal/log/log.go

@@ -0,0 +1,69 @@
+package log
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"io"
+	"os"
+	"sync"
+)
+
+// Level represents the debug verbosity.
+type Level int
+
+const (
+	// Off disables all debug output.
+	Off Level = iota
+	// Basic provides minimal debugging information.
+	Basic
+	// Detailed provides more verbose debugging.
+	Detailed
+	// Trace is the most verbose level.
+	Trace
+)
+
+var (
+	mu     sync.RWMutex
+	level  Level     = Off
+	output io.Writer = os.Stderr
+)
+
+// SetLevel sets the global debug level.
+func SetLevel(l Level) {
+	mu.Lock()
+	level = l
+	mu.Unlock()
+}
+
+// LevelFromInt converts an int to a Level.
+func LevelFromInt(i int) Level {
+	switch {
+	case i <= 0:
+		return Off
+	case i == 1:
+		return Basic
+	case i == 2:
+		return Detailed
+	case i >= 3:
+		return Trace
+	default:
+		return Off
+	}
+}
+
+// Debug writes a debug message if the global level permits.
+func Debug(l Level, format string, a ...interface{}) {
+	mu.RLock()
+	current := level
+	w := output
+	mu.RUnlock()
+	if current >= l {
+		fmt.Fprintf(w, "DEBUG: "+format, a...)
+	}
+}
+
+// SetOutput allows overriding the output destination for debug logs.
+func SetOutput(w io.Writer) {
+	mu.Lock()
+	output = w
+	mu.Unlock()
+}

internal/plugins/ai/models.go

@@ -18,7 +18,8 @@ type VendorsModels struct {
 
 // PrintWithVendor prints models including their vendor on each line.
 // When shellCompleteList is true, output is suitable for shell completion.
-func (o *VendorsModels) PrintWithVendor(shellCompleteList bool) {
+// Default vendor and model are highlighted with an asterisk.
+func (o *VendorsModels) PrintWithVendor(shellCompleteList bool, defaultVendor, defaultModel string) {
 	if !shellCompleteList {
 		fmt.Printf("\n%v:\n", o.SelectionLabel)
 	}
@@ -42,7 +43,11 @@ func (o *VendorsModels) PrintWithVendor(shellCompleteList bool) {
 			if shellCompleteList {
 				fmt.Printf("%s|%s\n", groupItems.Group, item)
 			} else {
-				fmt.Printf("\t[%d]\t%s|%s\n", currentItemIndex, groupItems.Group, item)
+				mark := "       "
+				if strings.EqualFold(groupItems.Group, defaultVendor) && strings.EqualFold(item, defaultModel) {
+					mark = "      *"
+				}
+				fmt.Printf("%s\t[%d]\t%s|%s\n", mark, currentItemIndex, groupItems.Group, item)
 			}
 		}
 	}

internal/plugins/ai/models_test.go

@@ -1,6 +1,9 @@
 package ai
 
 import (
+	"io"
+	"os"
+	"strings"
 	"testing"
 )
 
@@ -31,3 +34,23 @@ func TestFindVendorsByModel(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("FindVendorsByModel() = %v, want %v", foundVendors, []string{"vendor1"})
 	}
 }
+
+func TestPrintWithVendorMarksDefault(t *testing.T) {
+	vendors := NewVendorsModels()
+	vendors.AddGroupItems("vendor1", []string{"model1"}...)
+	vendors.AddGroupItems("vendor2", []string{"model2"}...)
+
+	r, w, _ := os.Pipe()
+	oldStdout := os.Stdout
+	os.Stdout = w
+
+	vendors.PrintWithVendor(false, "vendor2", "model2")
+
+	w.Close()
+	os.Stdout = oldStdout
+	out, _ := io.ReadAll(r)
+
+	if !strings.Contains(string(out), "      *\t[2]\tvendor2|model2") {
+		t.Fatalf("default model not marked: %s", out)
+	}
+}

internal/plugins/ai/openai/openai_audio.go

@@ -0,0 +1,153 @@
+package openai
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"os/exec"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"slices"
+	"sort"
+	"strings"
+
+	debuglog "github.com/danielmiessler/fabric/internal/log"
+
+	openai "github.com/openai/openai-go"
+)
+
+// MaxAudioFileSize defines the maximum allowed size for audio uploads (25MB).
+const MaxAudioFileSize int64 = 25 * 1024 * 1024
+
+// AllowedTranscriptionModels lists the models supported for transcription.
+var AllowedTranscriptionModels = []string{
+	string(openai.AudioModelWhisper1),
+	string(openai.AudioModelGPT4oMiniTranscribe),
+	string(openai.AudioModelGPT4oTranscribe),
+}
+
+// allowedAudioExtensions defines the supported input file extensions.
+var allowedAudioExtensions = map[string]struct{}{
+	".mp3":  {},
+	".mp4":  {},
+	".mpeg": {},
+	".mpga": {},
+	".m4a":  {},
+	".wav":  {},
+	".webm": {},
+}
+
+// TranscribeFile transcribes the given audio file using the specified model. If the file
+// exceeds the size limit, it can optionally be split into chunks using ffmpeg.
+func (o *Client) TranscribeFile(ctx context.Context, filePath, model string, split bool) (string, error) {
+	if ctx == nil {
+		ctx = context.Background()
+	}
+
+	if !slices.Contains(AllowedTranscriptionModels, model) {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("model '%s' is not supported for transcription", model)
+	}
+
+	ext := strings.ToLower(filepath.Ext(filePath))
+	if _, ok := allowedAudioExtensions[ext]; !ok {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("unsupported audio format '%s'", ext)
+	}
+
+	info, err := os.Stat(filePath)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+
+	var files []string
+	var cleanup func()
+	if info.Size() > MaxAudioFileSize {
+		if !split {
+			return "", fmt.Errorf("file %s exceeds 25MB limit; use --split-media-file to enable automatic splitting", filePath)
+		}
+		debuglog.Debug(debuglog.Basic, "File %s is larger than the size limit... breaking it up into chunks...\n", filePath)
+		if files, cleanup, err = splitAudioFile(filePath, ext, MaxAudioFileSize); err != nil {
+			return "", err
+		}
+		defer cleanup()
+	} else {
+		files = []string{filePath}
+	}
+
+	var builder strings.Builder
+	for i, f := range files {
+		debuglog.Debug(debuglog.Basic, "Using model %s to transcribe part %d (file name: %s)...\n", model, i+1, f)
+		var chunk *os.File
+		if chunk, err = os.Open(f); err != nil {
+			return "", err
+		}
+		params := openai.AudioTranscriptionNewParams{
+			File:  chunk,
+			Model: openai.AudioModel(model),
+		}
+		var resp *openai.Transcription
+		resp, err = o.ApiClient.Audio.Transcriptions.New(ctx, params)
+		chunk.Close()
+		if err != nil {
+			return "", err
+		}
+		if i > 0 {
+			builder.WriteString(" ")
+		}
+		builder.WriteString(resp.Text)
+	}
+
+	return builder.String(), nil
+}
+
+// splitAudioFile splits the source file into chunks smaller than maxSize using ffmpeg.
+// It returns the list of chunk file paths and a cleanup function.
+func splitAudioFile(src, ext string, maxSize int64) (files []string, cleanup func(), err error) {
+	if _, err = exec.LookPath("ffmpeg"); err != nil {
+		return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("ffmpeg not found: please install it")
+	}
+
+	var dir string
+	if dir, err = os.MkdirTemp("", "fabric-audio-*"); err != nil {
+		return nil, nil, err
+	}
+	cleanup = func() { os.RemoveAll(dir) }
+
+	segmentTime := 600 // start with 10 minutes
+	for {
+		pattern := filepath.Join(dir, "chunk-%03d"+ext)
+		debuglog.Debug(debuglog.Basic, "Running ffmpeg to split audio into %d-second chunks...\n", segmentTime)
+		cmd := exec.Command("ffmpeg", "-y", "-i", src, "-f", "segment", "-segment_time", fmt.Sprintf("%d", segmentTime), "-c", "copy", pattern)
+		var stderr bytes.Buffer
+		cmd.Stderr = &stderr
+		if err = cmd.Run(); err != nil {
+			return nil, cleanup, fmt.Errorf("ffmpeg failed: %v: %s", err, stderr.String())
+		}
+
+		if files, err = filepath.Glob(filepath.Join(dir, "chunk-*"+ext)); err != nil {
+			return nil, cleanup, err
+		}
+		sort.Strings(files)
+
+		tooBig := false
+		for _, f := range files {
+			var info os.FileInfo
+			if info, err = os.Stat(f); err != nil {
+				return nil, cleanup, err
+			}
+			if info.Size() > maxSize {
+				tooBig = true
+				break
+			}
+		}
+		if !tooBig {
+			return files, cleanup, nil
+		}
+		for _, f := range files {
+			_ = os.Remove(f)
+		}
+		if segmentTime <= 1 {
+			return nil, cleanup, fmt.Errorf("unable to split file into acceptable size chunks")
+		}
+		segmentTime /= 2
+	}
+}

internal/plugins/ai/openai_compatible/providers_config.go

@@ -102,6 +102,11 @@ var ProviderMap = map[string]ProviderConfig{
 		BaseURL:             "https://api.together.xyz/v1",
 		ImplementsResponses: false,
 	},
+	"Venice AI": {
+		Name:                "Venice AI",
+		BaseURL:             "https://api.venice.ai/api/v1",
+		ImplementsResponses: false,
+	},
 }
 
 // GetProviderByName returns the provider configuration for a given name with O(1) lookup

internal/plugins/ai/vendors.go

@@ -148,7 +148,6 @@ func (o *VendorsManager) setupVendorTo(vendor Vendor, configuredVendors map[stri
 		delete(configuredVendors, vendor.GetName())
 		fmt.Printf("[%v] skipped\n", vendor.GetName())
 	}
-	return
 }
 
 type modelResult struct {

internal/plugins/db/fsdb/patterns.go

@@ -31,6 +31,27 @@ type Pattern struct {
 func (o *PatternsEntity) GetApplyVariables(
 	source string, variables map[string]string, input string) (pattern *Pattern, err error) {
 
+	if pattern, err = o.loadPattern(source); err != nil {
+		return
+	}
+
+	err = o.applyVariables(pattern, variables, input)
+	return
+}
+
+// GetWithoutVariables returns a pattern with only the {{input}} placeholder processed
+// and skips template variable replacement
+func (o *PatternsEntity) GetWithoutVariables(source, input string) (pattern *Pattern, err error) {
+
+	if pattern, err = o.loadPattern(source); err != nil {
+		return
+	}
+
+	o.applyInput(pattern, input)
+	return
+}
+
+func (o *PatternsEntity) loadPattern(source string) (pattern *Pattern, err error) {
 	// Determine if this is a file path
 	isFilePath := strings.HasPrefix(source, "\\") ||
 		strings.HasPrefix(source, "/") ||
@@ -39,8 +60,8 @@ func (o *PatternsEntity) GetApplyVariables(
 
 	if isFilePath {
 		// Resolve the file path using GetAbsolutePath
-		absPath, err := util.GetAbsolutePath(source)
-		if err != nil {
+		var absPath string
+		if absPath, err = util.GetAbsolutePath(source); err != nil {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("could not resolve file path: %v", err)
 		}
 
@@ -51,26 +72,27 @@ func (o *PatternsEntity) GetApplyVariables(
 		pattern, err = o.getFromDB(source)
 	}
 
-	if err != nil {
-		return
-	}
-
-	// Apply variables to the pattern
-	err = o.applyVariables(pattern, variables, input)
 	return
 }
 
-func (o *PatternsEntity) applyVariables(
-	pattern *Pattern, variables map[string]string, input string) (err error) {
-
-	// Ensure pattern has an {{input}} placeholder
-	// If not present, append it on a new line
+func (o *PatternsEntity) ensureInput(pattern *Pattern) {
 	if !strings.Contains(pattern.Pattern, "{{input}}") {
 		if !strings.HasSuffix(pattern.Pattern, "\n") {
 			pattern.Pattern += "\n"
 		}
 		pattern.Pattern += "{{input}}"
 	}
+}
+
+func (o *PatternsEntity) applyInput(pattern *Pattern, input string) {
+	o.ensureInput(pattern)
+	pattern.Pattern = strings.ReplaceAll(pattern.Pattern, "{{input}}", input)
+}
+
+func (o *PatternsEntity) applyVariables(
+	pattern *Pattern, variables map[string]string, input string) (err error) {
+
+	o.ensureInput(pattern)
 
 	// Temporarily replace {{input}} with a sentinel token to protect it
 	// from recursive variable resolution

internal/plugins/db/fsdb/patterns_test.go

@@ -145,6 +145,22 @@ func TestGetApplyVariables(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestGetWithoutVariables(t *testing.T) {
+	entity, cleanup := setupTestPatternsEntity(t)
+	defer cleanup()
+
+	createTestPattern(t, entity, "test-pattern", "Prefix {{input}} {{roam}}")
+
+	result, err := entity.GetWithoutVariables("test-pattern", "hello")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	assert.Equal(t, "Prefix hello {{roam}}", result.Pattern)
+
+	createTestPattern(t, entity, "no-input", "Static content")
+	result, err = entity.GetWithoutVariables("no-input", "hi")
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	assert.Equal(t, "Static content\nhi", result.Pattern)
+}
+
 func TestPatternsEntity_Save(t *testing.T) {
 	entity, cleanup := setupTestPatternsEntity(t)
 	defer cleanup()

internal/plugins/template/extension_registry.go

@@ -10,8 +10,9 @@ import (
 	"strings"
 	"time"
 
+	debuglog "github.com/danielmiessler/fabric/internal/log"
+
 	"gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
-	// Add this import
 )
 
 // ExtensionDefinition represents a single extension configuration
@@ -87,9 +88,7 @@ func NewExtensionRegistry(configDir string) *ExtensionRegistry {
 	r.ensureConfigDir()
 
 	if err := r.loadRegistry(); err != nil {
-		if Debug {
-			fmt.Printf("Warning: could not load extension registry: %v\n", err)
-		}
+		debuglog.Debug(debuglog.Basic, "Warning: could not load extension registry: %v\n", err)
 	}
 
 	return r

internal/plugins/template/template.go

@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@ import (
 	"path/filepath"
 	"regexp"
 	"strings"
+
+	debuglog "github.com/danielmiessler/fabric/internal/log"
 )
 
 var (
@@ -14,7 +16,6 @@ var (
 	filePlugin     = &FilePlugin{}
 	fetchPlugin    = &FetchPlugin{}
 	sysPlugin      = &SysPlugin{}
-	Debug          = false // Debug flag
 )
 
 var extensionManager *ExtensionManager
@@ -33,9 +34,7 @@ var pluginPattern = regexp.MustCompile(`\{\{plugin:([^:]+):([^:]+)(?::([^}]+))?\
 var extensionPattern = regexp.MustCompile(`\{\{ext:([^:]+):([^:]+)(?::([^}]+))?\}\}`)
 
 func debugf(format string, a ...interface{}) {
-	if Debug {
-		fmt.Printf(format, a...)
-	}
+	debuglog.Debug(debuglog.Trace, format, a...)
 }
 
 func ApplyTemplate(content string, variables map[string]string, input string) (string, error) {

nix/pkgs/fabric/version.nix

@@ -1 +1 @@
-"1.4.288"
+"1.4.294"