fix: resolve multiple issues (#96, #119, #111, #108, #121, #125, #127)

backend/config.py

@@ -4,8 +4,17 @@ Configuration module for voicebox backend.
 Handles data directory configuration for production bundling.
 """
 
+import os
 from pathlib import Path
 
+# Allow users to override the HuggingFace model download directory.
+# Set VOICEBOX_MODELS_DIR to an absolute path before starting the server.
+# This sets HF_HUB_CACHE so all huggingface_hub downloads go to that path.
+_custom_models_dir = os.environ.get("VOICEBOX_MODELS_DIR")
+if _custom_models_dir:
+    os.environ["HF_HUB_CACHE"] = _custom_models_dir
+    print(f"[config] Model download path set to: {_custom_models_dir}")
+
 # Default data directory (used in development)
 _data_dir = Path("data")