Download

Download ShowPrompt

Free to download. No account. Runs locally — your show stays on your network. Runs locally with Node.js — three one-time setup steps and you're live.

ShowPrompt for Windows

Windows 10 / 11 · 64-bit

v3.5 — Latest

Download for Windows (.zip)

Extract, then double-click Start ShowPrompt

ShowPrompt for macOS

macOS 12 Monterey or later

v3.5 — Latest

Download for macOS (.zip)

Extract, then double-click Start ShowPrompt

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No account required

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Works offline during shows

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Free forever

Free tier

What's in the free version

Everything you need to run a countdown on any screen in the building. No paywalls mid-show.

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ShowPrompt Free

Included at no cost — always

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Countdown clock with flash warning
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1 output screen — any browser on your network
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Basic timing display
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Show recovery toolbar (Hold / Blackout / Clear All)
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QR codes to connect phones & tablets in one tap
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Show log with PDF/CSV export
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Display preview grid — see every output at once
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Works on Windows and macOS
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No installation on output devices
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No internet required during shows

⚡ Need cue lists, presenter notes, and more screens? → View Pro and Venue plans

Getting started

Up and running in a couple of clicks

ShowPrompt is a small Node.js application. Install Node.js once on your show laptop, then it's just a double-click on Start ShowPrompt before every show. Output screens need nothing installed — just a browser.

Install Node.js (one-time)

ShowPrompt runs on Node.js — a free, standard piece of software. Go to nodejs.org and download the LTS version, then run the installer with the defaults.

Double-click Start ShowPrompt

Extract the ShowPrompt ZIP somewhere easy to find — Desktop or Documents. Open the folder and double-click Start ShowPrompt (.command on Mac, .bat on Windows). The first run sets everything up automatically; after that it starts in seconds.

The dashboard opens

ShowPrompt opens http://localhost:3000 in your browser automatically. Leave the small status window open during the show. Output screens on the same network just open the URL shown in that window.

For step-by-step setup with troubleshooting → read the install guide · For full documentation → read the user guide

System requirements

What you need to run ShowPrompt

Output devices need nothing installed — any modern browser works.

	Windows	macOS
Operating system	Windows 10 / 11 (64-bit)	macOS 12 Monterey or later
Processor	Any modern CPU	Intel or Apple Silicon
RAM	4 GB minimum	4 GB minimum
Network	Local network (WiFi or wired)	Local network (WiFi or wired)
Output devices	Any browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari)	Any browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox)
Internet	Not required during shows	Not required during shows
Licence validation	Monthly online check	Monthly online check

First-time setup

First run notes

Both Windows and macOS may query a new, unsigned application on first launch. Here's what to expect.

Windows may show a SmartScreen warning because ShowPrompt is not yet code-signed. Click "More info" then "Run anyway". This is safe — ShowPrompt is not malware. Code signing is on the roadmap for a future release.

Windows Firewall will also ask to allow network access. Click Allow so ShowPrompt can send output to other devices on your local network. Without this, output screens won't load.

Tip: If you're on a corporate or managed network, your IT team may need to whitelist ShowPrompt in the firewall policy.

macOS Gatekeeper may block ShowPrompt on first launch because it is not yet notarized by Apple. To open it, go to System Settings → Privacy & Security, scroll down, and click "Open Anyway" next to ShowPrompt. You only need to do this once.

Alternatively: right-click (or Control-click) the ShowPrompt app in Finder, select Open, then click Open again in the dialog that appears.

Note: Apple notarization and code-signing are planned for an upcoming release. Until then, the Gatekeeper step is required once per machine.

Release notes

Version history

v3.1

Faster under pressure, and now with Music & Live. A usability pass that keeps controllers compact during a live show, a structured list editor, and the new Music & Live mode in Pro.

✓ Compact controllers — a slimmer in-theme scrollbar, capped scrolling lists that no longer stretch the page, and collapsible secondary timer panels so more of the running order stays in view.
✓ Row-based list editor — the Expand pop-out now edits running orders, cue lists, scenes and sermon points as structured rows with drag-to-reorder and a live item count / total.
✓ Music & Live mode — setlists, set & curfew timers, MD cues and silent per-member cue lights, for bands, DJs, solo artists, function bands and comedy. Included in Pro; festival / multi-stage on Venue.

v3.0

Production command upgrade. ShowPrompt now goes beyond cues and timers — it's a live production command centre. New tools for when shows go sideways, when producers need oversight, and when crews need fast setup.

✓ Show recovery toolbar on every controller — HOLD / DELAY / SKIP / EXTEND / BLACKOUT / CLEAR ALL. Press-and-hold confirms on destructive actions.
✓ Smart timing engine — add planned durations to run-order items, ShowPrompt tracks drift live and shows projected end time.
✓ QR codes in Settings — scan with a phone to open a display, no typing IP addresses.
✓ CSV import — paste run orders straight from Google Sheets / Excel, with planned durations.
✓ Show log — every cue, timer event, segment advance and recovery action logged. Export as PDF or CSV after the show.
✓ Display preview grid on every controller — live thumbnails of every screen so operators see what's on without leaving the desk.
✓ Bitfocus Companion module — ships with the download (companion-module-showprompt folder). Stream Deck control with 30+ actions, 25+ live variables, 9 feedbacks and preset button sets.
✓ Hold + Blackout overlays on every display, driven server-side — one operator action, every screen responds instantly.

v1.1

Smoother clocks, polished interface. Everything tightened up for live show use.

✓ Snappier clocks across every mode — optimistic start, wall-clock-anchored ticks, never drifts. Click Start and the seconds move immediately.
✓ Redesigned operator dashboard — sidebar layout, custom SVG icons per mode, full status visible without scrolling on a single desktop screen.
✓ Broadcast: new Set TX control to pre-set or recover the TX clock.
✓ Theatre: Standby All / GO All / Clear All as a 3-up bar, cue number now lives inside each department light.
✓ Matchday: one-click Half Time / Full Time / End Period quick buttons next to the match clock.
✓ Worship: per-item scripture references that swap automatically with the run of service.
✓ Website: rebuilt Security and Support pages with proper icon system and stats strip.

v1.0

Initial release.