# 04 - Fix Whisper Cache Loading

## Date
2025-10-28

## Problem
Enhanced transcript was not including the audio segments from cached whisper transcripts when running without the `--run-whisper` flag.

Example command that failed:
```bash
python process_meeting.py samples/zaca-run-scrapers.mkv --embed-images --scene-detection --scene-threshold 10 --skip-cache-frames -v
```

Result: Enhanced transcript only contained embedded images, no audio segments (0 "SPEAKER" entries).

## Root Cause
In `workflow.py`, the `_run_whisper()` method was checking the `run_whisper` flag **before** checking the cache:

```python
def _run_whisper(self) -> Optional[str]:
    if not self.config.run_whisper:
        return self.config.transcript_path  # Returns None if --transcript not specified

    # Cache check NEVER REACHED if run_whisper is False
    cached = self.cache_mgr.get_whisper_cache()
    if cached:
        return str(cached)
```

This meant:
- User runs command without `--run-whisper`
- Method returns None immediately
- Cached whisper transcript is never discovered
- No audio segments in enhanced output

## Solution
Reorder the logic to check cache **first**, regardless of flags:

```python
def _run_whisper(self) -> Optional[str]:
    """Run Whisper transcription if requested, or use cached/provided transcript."""
    # First, check cache (regardless of run_whisper flag)
    cached = self.cache_mgr.get_whisper_cache()
    if cached:
        return str(cached)

    # If no cache and not running whisper, use provided transcript path (if any)
    if not self.config.run_whisper:
        return self.config.transcript_path

    # If no cache and run_whisper is True, run whisper transcription
    # ... rest of whisper code
```

## New Behavior
1. Cache is checked first (regardless of `--run-whisper` flag)
2. If cached whisper exists, use it
3. If no cache and `--run-whisper` not specified, use `--transcript` path (or None)
4. If no cache and `--run-whisper` specified, run whisper

## Benefits
✓ Cached whisper transcripts are always discovered and used
✓ User can iterate on frame extraction/analysis without re-running whisper
✓ Enhanced transcripts now properly include both audio + visual content
✓ Granular cache flags (`--skip-cache-frames`, `--skip-cache-whisper`) work as expected

## Use Case
```bash
# First run: Generate whisper transcript + extract frames
python process_meeting.py samples/video.mkv --run-whisper --embed-images --scene-detection -v

# Second run: Iterate on scene threshold without re-running whisper
python process_meeting.py samples/video.mkv --embed-images --scene-detection --scene-threshold 10 --skip-cache-frames -v
# Now correctly includes cached whisper transcript in enhanced output!
```

## Files Modified
- `meetus/workflow.py` - Reordered logic in `_run_whisper()` method (lines 172-181)