v8labs.appGet v8

DOCS / INSTALL

Install once.
Update in one line.

One package from the npm registry, or the same package as a direct download you can check. Then one setup command connects it to Claude Code and Codex.

Requirements

  • Node.js 20 or newer on Windows, macOS or Linux. node --version tells you which one you have.
  • Claude Code or Codex in a terminal. v8 works inside their input box; it is not a separate editor or chat.
  • An internet connection to v8labs.app. The advanced prompt is written by our prompt service, so the CLI needs to reach https://v8labs.app. On a company network, see Corporate networks.

The package installs no background service and contains no AI provider keys. It runs only when you press its key or call one of its commands.

Install from npm

npm install -g v8-advanced-prompt

This installs the official package from the npm registry. It adds the command v8-prompt (and the same program under the longer name v8-advanced-prompt).

Direct download, checked

The same package is published on v8labs.app as an archive with its SHA-256 checksum. To install this exact release (0.5.15) straight from v8labs.app:

npm install -g https://v8labs.app/downloads/v8-advanced-prompt-0.5.15.tgz

npm install -g <url> does not check a signature. To be sure of what you install, download the archive first, compare its checksum with the published one, then install the file you checked:

curl -fsSLO https://v8labs.app/downloads/v8-advanced-prompt-0.5.15.tgz
curl -fsSL  https://v8labs.app/downloads/v8-advanced-prompt-0.5.15.tgz.sha256

# Windows
certutil -hashfile v8-advanced-prompt-0.5.15.tgz SHA256
# macOS
shasum -a 256 v8-advanced-prompt-0.5.15.tgz
# Linux
sha256sum v8-advanced-prompt-0.5.15.tgz

npm install -g ./v8-advanced-prompt-0.5.15.tgz

The expected SHA-256 for version 0.5.15 is 7b6f6c4799ecb4097fcbdc36ce58500ddd227be33410feaf9c700a83a8030a08. If the two values differ, delete the archive and do not install it.

Turn it on

v8-prompt setup

Claude Code and Codex hand the text in their input box to your editor (the VISUAL setting) when you press Ctrl + G. Setup makes v8 that editor. In detail, it:

  • copies the CLI into ~/.v8-prompt and writes a small launcher there, so the shortcut never depends on a temporary folder;
  • points VISUAL at that launcher: on Windows as your user environment variable; on macOS and Linux in a marked block in the shell startup files you have (~/.zshrc, ~/.bashrc, ~/.bash_profile, or a file of its own for fish). If it cannot write one, it prints the line to add yourself;
  • remembers the editor you had before, so everything else that opens VISUAL, like git commit, still opens your own editor;
  • adds Ctrl + Shift + . as a second shortcut in Windows Terminal and in the VS Code, Cursor and Windsurf terminals. In Windows Terminal it replaces the terminal's own Suggestions shortcut, and leaves the key alone if you bound it to something else.

Every file setup changes is backed up first, next to the original, as <file>.v8-prompt-backup-<time>. v8-prompt uninstall undoes each step (see Uninstall).

Open a new terminal afterwards. A terminal that was already open keeps the old setting. Terminals inside an editor (VS Code, Cursor, Windsurf) start from the editor's own environment: if the shortcut still opens your old editor there, quit the editor completely and start it again.

Update

npm install -g v8-advanced-prompt
v8-prompt setup

Run setup again after every update. The shortcut runs the copy setup made in ~/.v8-prompt, so until you run setup, Ctrl + G keeps using the version you had. Setup keeps your choices, such as context off. The changelog lists what each version changed.

The Claude Code plugin

The package ships a Claude Code plugin with one command, /v8:prompt <request>. It runs v8 on your request, asks v8's questions with Claude Code's question tool, shows you the advanced prompt, and hands it to Claude as the task only once you choose to use it. It needs the CLI installed. Try it for one session:

claude --plugin-dir "$(npm root -g)/v8-advanced-prompt/plugin"

Or install it permanently:

claude plugin marketplace add "$(npm root -g)/v8-advanced-prompt/plugin"
claude plugin install v8@v8labs

Type /v8 in Claude Code and pick /v8:prompt from the list. Only you can start it: Claude never runs it on its own. To remove it: claude plugin uninstall v8@v8labs, then claude plugin marketplace remove v8labs.

Check that it works

v8-prompt --version     # v8-prompt 0.5.15 · v8 Hone Advanced Prompt
v8-prompt status        # your plan and the free prompts left on this terminal
v8-prompt demo          # a preview of the screen, without sending anything

v8-prompt status talks to v8labs.app, so it also tells you whether this computer can reach the service. If it says it can't reach v8, see Corporate networks. Next: your first prompt.