Troubleshoot PromptDC for Desktop

PromptDC for Desktop on macOS and Windows works in any application, browser, IDE chat panel, and terminal CLI (Claude Code, Codex CLI, Gemini CLI, Grok, Agy). If text capture, shortcut triggers, permissions, or terminal replacement are not working as expected, use this guide to resolve common issues.

Last updated: August 2026

One desktop app works across all apps, browsers, IDEs, and terminal CLIs.

On macOS, verify Accessibility and optional Automation permissions.

Ensure you are signed in with an active internet connection.

Terminal capture is not working

PromptDC for Desktop is the first app that enhances coding prompts inside the terminal, in CLIs. Enhancement starts from selected text, PromptDC does not intercept everything typed into the shell.

01. Select the prompt text

Highlight the draft prompt in your terminal input (e.g. in Terminal, iTerm2, Warp, Ghostty, Termius, Windows Terminal, or integrated terminals in Cursor and VS Code) before triggering enhancement.

02. Use the Enhance shortcut

Press Cmd+Shift+E on macOS or Ctrl+Shift+E on Windows to open the editable review popover. Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+U opens or toggles the PromptDC floating panel.

03. Confirm terminal recognition and focus

Compare the terminal host with the verified terminal list. If unlisted, check recognized terminals. In an IDE like Cursor or VS Code, make sure the terminal pane has active focus.

04. Check the terminal paste sequence

If capture succeeds but Replace fails, confirm that the terminal accepts PromptDC's platform-specific clearing and paste sequence. You can always choose Copy in the popover and paste manually.

Permissions, shortcuts, and requests

macOS permissions are missing

Accessibility is required during onboarding so PromptDC can read selected text and replace it across apps. Automation is a separate permission requested when PromptDC needs to control System Events.

Grant PromptDC access under Privacy & Security, then Accessibility.
If that grant appears stale, reset the PromptDC entry, grant access again, and reopen PromptDC.
If a System Events operation is denied or shows Apple event error -1743, open Automation.
Allow PromptDC to control System Events, then retry.

Windows needs neither permission and shows no UAC or administrator prompt.

A shortcut conflicts or does not register

If a keyboard shortcut is already registered by another application or terminal, PromptDC skips registration with a warning. Shortcuts must include at least one modifier key.

Check whether another app or the terminal already uses Cmd+Shift+E / Ctrl+Shift+E.
Choose a different shortcut combination containing a modifier key in PromptDC Settings.
Press Escape, Backspace, or Delete to clear a shortcut before recording a replacement.
Check direct profile shortcuts as well as the general Enhance and panel shortcuts.

Enhancement fails when disconnected or signed out

PromptDC for Desktop requires an active internet connection and sign-in to enhance prompts with AI models. Sign in, confirm your device is connected to the internet, and retry.

The request reaches the timeout

If an enhancement times out, verify your internet connection and sign-in status, then retry. If timeouts persist, reopen PromptDC and test again.

PromptDC detected the wrong CLI across tabs

PromptDC is the first app that enhances coding prompts inside the terminal, and it detects the running CLI, such as Claude Code, Codex CLI, Gemini CLI, Grok, and Agy. Detection searches the terminal or editor process tree and chooses the deepest recognized CLI.

Because detection inspects the overall terminal host process tree, it cannot determine which specific tab or pane has active focus if multiple tabs are open. If an inactive tab is running a different CLI, PromptDC may detect that CLI instead.

To resolve this, close or stop inactive CLI sessions in other tabs, or run the target CLI in a dedicated terminal window before triggering enhancement.

Desktop troubleshooting FAQs

Select the draft text in your application or terminal before pressing Cmd+Shift+E on macOS or Ctrl+Shift+E on Windows. PromptDC for Desktop works in every app, browser, IDE, and terminal (Terminal, iTerm2, Warp, Ghostty, Windows Terminal), but requires active text selection and Accessibility permission on macOS.

macOS onboarding requires Accessibility permission so PromptDC for Desktop can read selections and replace text across apps. In System Settings > Privacy & Security > Accessibility, ensure PromptDC is enabled. If permissions appear stale, remove PromptDC from the list, re-add it, and relaunch.

PromptDC walks the terminal host process tree to detect CLIs like Claude Code, Codex CLI, Gemini CLI, Grok, and Agy. If multiple terminal tabs or panes are open, detection may match a CLI in an inactive tab. Close inactive sessions or use a dedicated terminal window.

PromptDC for Desktop requires an active internet connection and sign-in to enhance prompts with AI models. Confirm your network connection and sign-in status, then retry. If issues persist, relaunch PromptDC.

No. PromptDC for Desktop on macOS and Windows is the flagship all-in-one setup that works across all browsers, desktop apps, IDE chat panels (Cursor, VS Code, Windsurf), and terminal CLIs. The Chrome extension and IDE extensions are optional additions.

Need the setup path?
Return to Desktop setup

Stuck on Accessibility?
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