> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://developer.suki.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Audio Streaming Overview

> Learn the handshake, wire format, and message order for ambient and dictation WebSockets to stream audio

After you create an ambient session and seed the session context, you can stream audio to the session using the `GET /ws/stream` endpoint for ambient sessions or the `GET /ws/transcribe` endpoint for dictation sessions.

Both endpoints use WebSocket to stream audio.

<Info>
  **This guide applies to:** Direct HTTP and WebSocket integrations with Suki for Partner Ambient, Form filling, and Dictation APIs.
</Info>

| Endpoint                 | Purpose                                                                                                            | API reference                                                                                         |
| :----------------------- | :----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | :---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `GET` **ws/stream**      | Stream **PCM** audio into an **ambient** and a **Form filling** session for note generation and related processing | [Audio streaming for ambient and Form filling sessions](/api-reference/ambient-sessions/audio-stream) |
| `GET` **/ws/transcribe** | Stream **PCM\_S16LE** audio into a **dictation (transcription) session** for real-time text                        | [Stream audio to dictation session](/api-reference/audio-transcription/stream-transcription)          |

Use the **same base host** for REST and WebSocket calls in a given environment (for example staging **`https://sdp.suki-stage.com`** and **`wss://sdp.suki-stage.com`**). Your partnership team confirms which host and credentials apply.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Ambient Streaming" icon="waveform" href="/documentation/ambient-audio-streaming" cta="Learn more">
    Stream **PCM** audio into an **ambient session** for note generation and related processing. Use this endpoint when you already have an **ambient session** and want to push live audio for that session.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Dictation Streaming" icon="waveform" href="/documentation/dictation-streaming" cta="Learn more">
    Stream **PCM\_S16LE** audio into a **dictation (transcription) session** for real-time text. Use this endpoint when you have a **dictation session** and want to push audio for that session.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Tip>
  **Do not** send raw audio as **binary** WebSocket frames on **`/ws/stream`**. On **`/ws/transcribe`**, outbound audio is also sent as **JSON text** frames with Base64 payloads, not raw binary PCM frames.
</Tip>

## Side-by-side comparison

| Topic                                | Ambient Streaming                                                   | Dictation Streaming                                           |
| :----------------------------------- | :------------------------------------------------------------------ | :------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Endpoint                             | `GET /ws/stream`                                                    | `GET /ws/transcribe`                                          |
| Browser **`Sec-WebSocket-Protocol`** | `SukiAmbientAuth,<ambient_session_id>,<sdp_suki_token>`             | `SukiAmbientAuth,<sdp_suki_token>,<transcription_session_id>` |
| Non-browser headers                  | `sdp_suki_token`, `ambient_session_id`                              | `sdp_suki_token`, `transcription_session_id`                  |
| Audio field name                     | **`data`** (Base64 PCM)                                             | **`audioData`** (Base64 **PCM\_S16LE**)                       |
| Start-of-stream                      | **`START_TIME`** required first                                     | No **`START_TIME`** in the dictation contract documented here |
| End-of-stream                        | **`AUDIO`** with **`data`**: **`RU9G`** (Base64 of bytes **`EOF`**) | **`EVENT`** with **`event`**: **`AUDIO_END`**                 |
| Control messages                     | **`type`**: **`EVENT`**, **`event`**: enum (see FAQ)                | **`EVENT`** / **`AUDIO_END`** for end of audio                |

***

## Next steps

<Icon icon="file-lines" iconType="solid" /> Learn more about the [Audio Streaming API reference](/api-reference/ambient-sessions/audio-stream)

<Icon icon="file-lines" iconType="solid" /> Learn more about the [Dictation Streaming API reference](/api-reference/audio-transcription/stream-transcription)

<Icon icon="file-lines" iconType="solid" /> Learn more about the [Audio Capture & Streaming FAQs](/api-reference/faqs/audio-capture-streaming)