How ShowPrompt Works — Local Cue System Setup Guide
How It Works

One laptop.
Any screen.

ShowPrompt runs entirely on your local network. One laptop runs a small Node.js server; any browser on your network becomes a controller or display. No cloud, no specialist hardware.

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Setup

Running in three steps

ShowPrompt is designed for working professionals who don't have time to fiddle with software on show day.

1

Download ShowPrompt

Download ShowPrompt onto the laptop that will run your show. ShowPrompt is a Node.js server — install Node.js once (free, from nodejs.org), then double-click Start ShowPrompt in the folder. The first run sets everything up automatically; after that it's a double-click before each show.

2

Open the controller

Open the controller page in any browser. Set up your timers, cues, running order, and display settings. This is your show control surface.

3

Connect your screens

On any device on the same local network, open the display URL in a browser. That device is now a live output screen. No app to install. Nothing to configure.

Architecture

Local-first by design

ShowPrompt runs as a lightweight server on your show laptop. Everything stays on your local network. Display screens connect over WiFi or wired Ethernet — no internet connection required during the show.

This means a venue WiFi dropout, an internet outage, or a cloud service going down will not affect your show. Your cue screens keep working.

Paid licences require occasional online validation when first activated, but once validated, ShowPrompt operates fully offline.

Compatibility

Works on any screen you have

If it has a browser, it can be a ShowPrompt display. No app installs, no dongles, no compatibility issues.

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Laptop / Desktop

Windows, macOS, Linux. Any modern browser — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge.

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Phones & Tablets

iOS and Android. Safari and Chrome. Full-screen mode supported.

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Smart TVs & Displays

Any smart TV or display with a browser. Also works via Chromecast and Apple TV browser.

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External Monitors

Extend your laptop display onto a second monitor. Run the display page full-screen for a clean output.

Quick Start

Your first show in minutes

1

Install Node.js (one-time)

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

2

Double-click Start ShowPrompt (one-time setup)

Download the ShowPrompt ZIP, extract it to your Desktop or Documents folder, then double-click Start ShowPrompt (.command on Mac, .bat on Windows). The first time, it sets itself up automatically — just once.

3

The dashboard opens (before every show)

Each time you double-click Start ShowPrompt, a small status window opens showing the addresses for every controller and display page, plus your local network IP, and the dashboard opens in your browser. Leave that window open for the whole show.

4

Open your output screens

On the show laptop open http://localhost:3000 for the dashboard. On any other device on the same WiFi or wired network, open the IP address shown in the startup banner. Each browser becomes a live display.

5

Run your show

Set up your timers, running order, cues and notes from the controller. Press start, fire cues, and every connected display updates instantly. Need the full walkthrough? Read the user guide →

FAQ

Common questions

Does ShowPrompt need an internet connection?
No. Once Node.js and the ShowPrompt dependencies are installed (a one-time online step), ShowPrompt runs entirely on your local network. Internet outages mid-show don't affect it. Paid licences need occasional online validation, but never during a show — there's a monthly grace period.
How many display screens can I run?
As many as your local network and laptop can handle. In practice, most productions run 2–8 display devices without any performance issues.
What if my venue doesn't have WiFi?
You can create a local hotspot from your show laptop, or connect devices via a small travel router or Ethernet switch. ShowPrompt works on any local network — it doesn't need internet access.
Does it work on Windows and Mac?
Yes. ShowPrompt runs on Windows and macOS. Display screens work on any device with a modern browser — Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, smart TVs.
Do my display screens need anything installed?
No. Display screens just need a browser. Nothing is installed on them. They connect to the controller by opening a URL.
Built for live shows

Production command — for when the show is on

Beyond the basics, ShowPrompt has three command-room features designed for the moments that matter: the producer who needs to see everything, the operator who needs an instant escape hatch, and the timing engine that tells you whether you're on schedule.

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Producer Mode Coming soon

A read-only show overview for producers, directors and show callers. Current segment, all live timers, drift indicator, connected displays and a live cue activity feed — at a glance. Mode-agnostic: it auto-detects whichever mode is active. No controls, just clarity.

PRO & VENUE

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Show Recovery Toolbar

Six recovery actions on every controller. Hold freezes everything. Delay, Skip, Extend manage the unexpected. Blackout and Clear All give you instant clean-screen recovery — but they're press-and-hold so a misclick can't ruin a moment.

ALL TIERS

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Smart Timing Engine

Add a planned duration to each run-order item. ShowPrompt tracks drift in real time: Running 4 min late · projected end 21:34, recomputed every 5 seconds. Visible to the operator AND the producer. Backwards compatible — no planned durations, no banner.

PRO & VENUE

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Stream Deck / Bitfocus Companion integration Coming soon

A Bitfocus Companion module is on the way for ShowPrompt: 30+ actions, 25+ live variables for button labels, 9 feedbacks for button colours, and two ready-made preset pages — Stage Manager and Recovery. Drop it into Companion's modules folder and your Stream Deck becomes a physical control surface for the whole show.

PRO & VENUE

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QR codes for every display

Settings shows a scannable QR for every display URL. Crew tablets and backstage phones connect in one tap — no IP address typing, no URL dictation. Available on every tier.

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CSV import for run orders Coming soon

Build rundowns in Google Sheets or Excel, paste straight into ShowPrompt. Detects tab/comma separators, optional header row, parses mm:ss or seconds durations. Live preview before import.

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Show log + PDF / CSV export

Every cue, timer event, segment advance and recovery action logged with timestamps. Post-show: export as PDF or CSV for client reports and post-mortems.

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Display preview grid

One click on any controller shows live thumbnails of every connected display. Operator sees what's on every screen without leaving the desk. Producer-friendly view too.

Together these features turn ShowPrompt from a cue system into a live production command centre. The full breakdown is in the user guide.

See it in action

Every mode. Built for the job.

Six purpose-built modes. Each one has a full operator controller and a dedicated output display for talent, crew, or big screens.

CONTROLLER — Operator input
Conference controller
DISPLAY OUTPUT — Speaker / stage screen
Conference display

Conference Mode — The operator runs timers, cues, and notes from the controller. Every connected display updates instantly.

CONTROLLER — DSM / stage manager input
Theatre controller
DISPLAY OUTPUT — Crew cue screen
Theatre display

Theatre Mode — DSM calls cues from the controller. LX, Sound, Flys, Stage, and FOH all see live standby and go cues. Interval timers and scene tracking built in.

CONTROLLER — Production team input
Matchday controller
DISPLAY OUTPUT — Announcer / floor manager screen
Matchday display

Matchday Mode — Score, clock, period, and cues from one place. Supports Football, Rugby, Cricket, Basketball, Am. Football and more.

BASE STATION — Broadcast controller (laptop)
Broadcast controller
DISPLAY OUTPUT — Live on multiple devices simultaneously
Broadcast display

Broadcast Mode — One laptop runs the show. Every device on the network sees TX clock, production state, camera tally, and graphics cues live.

CONTROLLER — Service leader / AV operator input
Worship controller
DISPLAY OUTPUT — AV team & livestream crew screen
Worship display

Worship Mode — Pre-service countdown, sermon timer, scripture references, and cues for AV and livestream teams. Supports six faith traditions.

CONTROLLER — Operator sends cues & notes
Controller
DISPLAY OUTPUT — Presenter / talent screen
Talent display

Talent Display — Clean, distraction-free confidence monitor for presenters and on-screen talent. Large digits, current cue, now/next, and director messages.

Ready to see it in action?

Download the free version and have your first show running in under five minutes.

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