Enhance prompts in VS Code and Cursor — plus Desktop App for macOS & Windows
If you want a single setup that works everywhere, the PromptDC Desktop app for macOS and Windows covers every application, browser, IDE AI chat panel (Cursor, VS Code, Windsurf, Antigravity, Trae, Kiro), and terminal CLI (Claude Code, Codex CLI, Gemini CLI, Grok, Agy, OpenCode). Select text anywhere and press Cmd+Shift+E on macOS or Ctrl+Shift+E on Windows to open an editable review popover, then choose Replace or Copy.
PromptDC is the first desktop app to enhance prompts inside terminal CLIs on macOS and Windows. For developers who prefer dedicated in-editor sidebar controls, PromptDC also offers optional extensions for VS Code, Cursor, and other Open VSX editors. These extensions provide a target-agent picker, Simple or Structured output, Language, Format, Custom Prompt, and Always Include. VS Code targets AI chat safely without touching source files, while Cursor acts on the focused selection.
Last updated: August 2026
PromptDC Desktop (macOS + Windows) works everywhere across IDEs, apps, and terminals.
Optional IDE extensions add sidebar controls for VS Code, Cursor, and Open VSX.
First desktop app to enhance prompts inside terminal CLIs like Claude Code and Codex.
Install and sign in
01
Open PromptDC
Open it from the Activity Bar. You should see Quick Settings with Simple or Structured output, the target picker, Language, Format, Custom Prompt, and Always Include.02
Start Login
Open All Settings and choose Login. Your browser opens while the editor shows Waiting for authorization.03
Complete the browser flow
Return to the editor. A successful login notification appears and login overlays disappear.04
If authorization fails
Leave the editor open, start Login again, and complete the newest browser tab.
Configure the rewrite
| Control | Effect | How to verify it |
|---|---|---|
| Output (Simple / Structured) | Simple produces a concise paragraph. Structured produces labeled sections for more complex work. | The selector shows Simple or Structured, and the next result follows that shape. |
| Model or Model / IDE | Tunes the request for the selected target. | The exact target name remains selected in Quick Settings. |
| Language | Sets the language of the enhanced prompt. | The next rewrite returns in the selected language. |
| Format | Returns Regular prose, JSON, XML, or YAML. | The result is valid for the chosen output format. |
| Custom Prompt | When Override System Prompt is enabled, your instruction replaces the default enhancement instruction. | The status changes from the default instruction to your enabled custom prompt. |
| Always Include | Appends persistent project guidance to enhanced prompts. | Save it, enhance a prompt, and confirm the result respects the saved constraint. |
Targets
VS Code: Model
The VS Code picker contains these targets in this order:
- Copilot
- Cline
- Codex (OpenAI)
- Gemini
- Claude
- Kilo Code
Cursor: Model / IDE
The Cursor picker contains these targets in this order. Windsurf requires you to copy from Cascade, enhance, and paste back yourself. Antigravity starts from the clipboard and then attempts the normal paste path. Trae and Kiro use the generic current-selection and current-control paste path:
- Cursor
- Trae
- Kiro
- Windsurf
- Antigravity
- Claude Code
- Gemini
- Codex (OpenAI)
Rewrite a prompt
01
Choose Simple or Structured
Open PromptDC Quick Settings. Choose Simple for a focused rewrite or Structured for a detailed implementation request.02
Set target, language, and extras
Choose the target that matches your workflow. Windsurf uses manual copy and paste, Antigravity starts from the clipboard, and Trae and Kiro use the generic selection-and-paste path. Set Language and Format, then save any Custom Prompt or Always Include text you need.03
Type the rough prompt
Open the editor's AI chat panel and type the rough prompt. In Cursor and other Open VSX editors, keep the prompt selected and the chat input focused. Do not leave a selection active in a source file.04
Press the enhance shortcut
Keep focus in the prompt field. The extension reads that prompt and sends it for enhancement.05
Review before sending
In VS Code, the chat prompt is replaced and your source file remains untouched. In Cursor and other Open VSX editors, confirm the intended focused selection was replaced. Review the result before sending it.
Custom Prompt and Always Include
Use a Custom Prompt
- Enable Override System Prompt.
- Enter the instruction that should control the rewrite, or load a saved system prompt.
- Choose Save Prompt and confirm the enabled status.
- Disable the override when you want PromptDC's default enhancement instruction again.
Use Always Include
- Enter a durable constraint, such as a project convention or technology requirement.
- Choose Save Always Include.
- Run a test enhancement and verify that the result respects the instruction.
- Clear and save the field when that guidance no longer applies.
Keep the target field clear
The VS Code package focuses the configured AI chat input and does not apply edits to your source file. Cursor and other Open VSX editors instead act on the current selection in the focused control, so keep focus in the AI chat input to avoid rewriting source code.
The editor extension shortcut is disabled while the integrated terminal has focus. To enhance prompts directly inside terminal CLIs like Claude Code, Codex CLI, Gemini CLI, Grok, Agy, and OpenCode, use the PromptDC Desktop app (Cmd+Shift+E on macOS / Ctrl+Shift+E on Windows), which is the first desktop app to support in-terminal prompt enhancement on macOS and Windows.
Troubleshoot an editor enhancement
Nothing changes
A terminal is focused
The result shape is wrong
Old instructions remain
Login is required
The shortcut conflicts
Editor extension FAQs
Need to install first?
Open Installation
Shortcut not firing?
Check Shortcuts
Using your own key?
Set up BYOK
Write better with AI
Enhance any text you select on the desktop, on the web, in your editor or terminals.
Download PromptDC