Feedback: guides-transcribing-github-files

Documentation Feedback

Original URL: https://www.assemblyai.com/docs/guides/transcribing-github-files
Category: guides
Generated: 05/08/2025, 4:34:55 pm

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Claude Sonnet 4 Feedback

Generated: 05/08/2025, 4:34:54 pm

Technical Documentation Analysis: Transcribing GitHub Files

Overall Assessment

This documentation covers the basic workflow but lacks depth and fails to address common user scenarios and potential issues. Here’s my detailed feedback:

🚨 Critical Missing Information

Authentication & Setup

• Missing: No mention of API key requirements or setup
• Add: Prerequisites section with account setup and API key configuration
• Add: Links to getting started documentation

Error Handling

• Missing: Comprehensive error scenarios and solutions
• Add: Common error codes and troubleshooting steps
• Add: What to do when GitHub rate limits are hit
• Add: Handling network timeouts and retry logic

📝 Content Improvements

Step 1 Enhancements

Current issue: Vague file requirements Improved version:

## Prerequisites
- AssemblyAI API key ([get one here](link))
- Audio files ≤100MB in supported formats (MP3, WAV, M4A, etc.)
- Public GitHub repository access

## Supported Audio Formats
- MP3, WAV, M4A, FLAC, OGG
- Maximum file size: 100MB
- For larger files, see our [file splitting guide](link)

Step 2 Enhancements

Add visual clarity:

## Step 2: Get the Raw File URL

### Method 1: Via GitHub UI
1. Navigate to your audio file in the repository
2. Click the filename to open the file view
3. Right-click "View raw" → "Copy link address"

### Method 2: Construct URL manually
Format: `https://github.com/{username}/{repo}/raw/{branch}/{path/to/file}`

Example: `https://github.com/john-doe/my-audio/raw/main/recordings/interview.mp3`

⚠️ **Important**: The URL must point to the raw file, not the GitHub file viewer page

🔧 Technical Improvements

Complete Code Examples

Current issue: Incomplete code snippets Improved version:

# Python - Complete Example
import assemblyai as aai

# Set your API key
aai.settings.api_key = "your-api-key-here"

# Initialize transcriber
transcriber = aai.Transcriber()

try:
    # GitHub raw file URL
    audio_url = "https://github.com/user/audio-files/raw/main/audio.mp3"

    # Start transcription
    transcript = transcriber.transcribe(audio_url)

    # Check for errors
    if transcript.status == aai.TranscriptStatus.error:
        print(f"Transcription failed: {transcript.error}")
    else:
        print(f"Transcription completed: {transcript.text}")

except Exception as e:
    print(f"Error: {e}")

// TypeScript - Complete Example
import { AssemblyAI } from 'assemblyai';

const client = new AssemblyAI({
  apiKey: process.env.ASSEMBLYAI_API_KEY!
});

async function transcribeGitHubFile() {
  try {
    const audioUrl = "https://github.com/user/audio-files/raw/main/audio.mp3";

    const transcript = await client.transcripts.transcribe({
      audio_url: audioUrl
    });

    if (transcript.status === 'error') {
      console.error('Transcription failed:', transcript.error);
      return;
    }

    console.log('Transcription:', transcript.text);
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Error:', error);
  }
}

🏗️ Structure Improvements

Recommended New Structure

# Transcribing Audio Files from GitHub

## Overview
Brief explanation of when and why to use this method.

## Prerequisites
- API key setup
- File requirements
- Repository access

## Quick Start
- Minimal working example

## Step-by-Step Guide
- Detailed walkthrough

## Advanced Options
- Custom configurations
- Batch processing

## Troubleshooting
- Common issues and solutions

## Best Practices
- Security considerations
- Performance tips

## Related Guides
- Links to relevant documentation

⚠️ User Pain Points to Address

1. Security Concerns

Add warning section:

## ⚠️ Security Considerations

**Public Repository Requirement**: Files must be in public repositories, making them accessible to anyone with the URL.

**For sensitive content**:
- Use [private S3 buckets](link) instead
- Consider [signed URLs](link) for temporary access
- Implement [webhook-based processing](link)

2. File Size Limitations

## Working with Large Files

**If your file exceeds 100MB**:
1. Split audio using [these tools](link)
2. Use cloud storage ([S3 guide](link), [GCS guide](link))
3. Consider our [streaming API](link) for real-time processing

3. Batch Processing

## Processing Multiple Files

```python
# Batch processing example
audio_files = [
    "https://github.com/user/repo/raw/main/file1.mp3",
    "https://github.com/user/repo/raw/main/file2.mp3"
]

for url in audio_files:
    transcript = transcriber.transcribe(url)
    print(f"File: {url.split('/')[-1]}")
    print(f"Text: {transcript.text}\n")

📋 Additional Sections Needed

Troubleshooting Section

## Common Issues

| Error | Cause | Solution |
|-------|--------|----------|
| "File not publicly accessible" | Private repo or incorrect URL | Verify repo is public and URL is raw file link |
| "Unsupported file format" | Wrong audio format | Convert to MP3, WAV, or other supported formats |
| "File too large" | File >100MB | Split file or use cloud storage |

FAQ Section

• How long does transcription take?
• Can I use private repositories?
• What happens if the GitHub file is deleted?
• Are there rate limits?

🔗 Navigation Improvements

Add clear next steps:

## What's Next?

- [Configure advanced transcription options](link)
- [Add speaker labels and timestamps](link)
- [Set up webhooks for automated processing](link)
- [Integrate with your application](link)

This improved structure would transform a basic guide into comprehensive documentation that addresses real user needs and reduces support requests.

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