First Run Guide

Install. Connect AI. Make Your First Change.

Use this guide to unpack Nodarama Verbatim, open the browser UI, create your first project, choose one AI connection method, and understand the main screens before starting your first workflow.

External setup glossary

Start with the one required install. Everything else is optional and can be added after Verbatim opens successfully.

Required: Node.js LTSVerbatim runs on Node.js. Install Node.js LTS before launching Verbatim. power.bat can install Verbatim dependencies, but it cannot install Node.js itself.Download Node.js
Nodarama Go Custom GPTThe simplest ChatGPT starting path. It already understands Verbatim Recording Sheets, so you can copy and paste without a bridge.Open Nodarama Go
AMP bridge + ngrokThe best ChatGPT experience. AMP allows two-way communication so Nodarama Go can inspect files before suggesting changes. It requires ngrok or a similar tunnel.Read the ngrok setup sheet · Get ngrok
AUX Chrome ExtensionUse Verbatim with many AI chats in your browser. AUX helps copy context, capture AI suggestions, and send reviewed requests into Verbatim.Download AUX
LM StudioOptional local AI. Use it as a helper for path correction and diagnostics, or as your primary AI if your hardware and model are strong enough.Download LM Studio
Verbatim download pageUse this page for the Verbatim beta ZIP, AUX extension ZIP, and Nodarama Go / AMP link.Open downloads
Simple rule: install Node.js first. Then launch Verbatim. Then choose one AI connection method. You do not need AMP, AUX, and LM Studio all at once.

Recommended first path

Most new users should start with the simplest safe workflow first, then add bridge, extension, or local AI features later.

  1. Install Node.js LTS.
  2. Unzip Verbatim somewhere simple, such as C:\NV.
  3. Launch with power.bat for the first visible startup.
  4. Sign in or complete account setup.
  5. Create one new project inside Verbatim.
  6. Confirm Project Overview shows the correct active project.
  7. Choose one AI connection method: copy/paste, AMP, AUX, or LM Studio.
  8. Make one small test change, then review Dubs, History, and System Log.
You do not need every connection method on day one. Start simple, prove that Verbatim can safely receive and review AI-generated work, then expand when you need direct bridge access, browser capture, or local AI support.

Section 1 — Installing and unpacking

Goal: get to the browser UI and create one project.

1

Install Node.js LTS

Install the LTS version of Node.js before running Verbatim. This gives Windows or macOS the runtime needed to start the local app.

2

Download and unzip Verbatim

Download the Verbatim ZIP, unzip it, and place it somewhere simple such as C:\NV. Avoid deep paths, cloud-synced folders, or unusual permissions for the first run.

Download Verbatim
3

Launch Verbatim

On Windows, double-click power.bat for the first run. It starts Verbatim visibly and installs project dependencies if they are missing.

After the first successful launch, use the icon / hidden launcher if you prefer not to see a terminal. Hidden launch should still open the Chrome or Edge browser UI.

4

Wait for the browser UI

Verbatim opens a local browser window. If you use the hidden launcher, the terminal stays hidden, but the browser UI should still appear.

If nothing opens, run power.bat once so you can see startup output and dependency errors.
5

Sign in and create your first project

Complete account setup or sign in, then create a first project inside Verbatim. For your first run, a new simple project is easier than attaching a complex existing folder.

6

Confirm Project Overview loads

Make sure the Project Overview page shows the active project. Add a short project summary or note so Verbatim and your AI have a clear starting intent.

Section 2 — Connecting AI

Goal: choose how AI output reaches Verbatim. Pick one path first.

1. Simplest: Nodarama Go copy/pasteNo bridge setup. Use Nodarama Go on ChatGPT, ask for Verbatim Recording Sheets, then paste them into Verbatim for review and processing.Open Nodarama Go
2. Best ChatGPT experience: AMPUse Nodarama Go with AMP and ngrok when you want ChatGPT to inspect your current files and communicate directly with Verbatim.Ngrok setup sheet · AMP download/link
3. Browser-wide option: AUXUse AUX with many AI chats in Chrome. It is useful for copying project context, accessing Recording Sheet instructions, and pushing AI suggestions into Verbatim.Download AUX
4. Optional local AI: LM StudioUse LM Studio when you want local AI support. It can help Verbatim spot small file-path or search-string errors, provide diagnostics, or serve as the primary AI on capable hardware.Download LM Studio
Manual copy/paste is a valid workflow. Bridges and extensions reduce copy/paste, but the same review, logging, restore, and recorder structure still matter.
Compare connection modesNgrok setup sheet

Section 3 — Navigating and using Verbatim

Goal: understand the page before the first real write.

Project OverviewShows the active project, summary, notes, intent, scope, boundaries, and project context. Start here to confirm Verbatim is working on the correct project.
EditorLets you inspect project files and understand what Verbatim is working on. Early beta note: there are known issues with some code display behavior.
DubsShows proposed, queued, or recent Recording Sheets / manifests before or during execution. Use this area to review what is about to happen.
HistoryShows completed changes, errors, restore context, undo support, AI history, system logs, and code-change records.
SettingsControls account status, startup behavior, ports, bridge settings, local AI settings, extension behavior, and privacy/workflow preferences.
System LogShows startup, project switching, recorder activity, bridge events, failures, and recovery clues. Copy logs into AI when troubleshooting.

User interface controls

EQ MonitorShows workflow status, recorder activity, and local AI / diagnostic behavior when configured.
RecordStarts accepting or processing structured change instructions.
PlayRuns queued or approved actions through the recorder workflow.
EjectStops or clears the active flow when you need to reset the current action.
Next / PreviousMoves through logs, dubs, history, or selectable items depending on the active area.
Chat InputPaste Recording Sheets here when you are not using a direct bridge, or use it with the configured AI workflow.

Recording Sheets and contracts

Recording Sheets, also called manifests, are structured instructions that tell Verbatim what file to change, what action to take, and what payload to use.

Recording Contracts help your AI understand the required format. They are built into Nodarama Go, and they can also be copied into other AI chats when you use manual paste or AUX.

This structure reduces drift, makes changes easier to review, and gives Verbatim better logging, restore, undo, and troubleshooting context.

After onboarding

Once Verbatim opens, a project exists, and you have chosen an AI connection method, move to the First Workflow guide. It walks through a practical first project using a simple cycle: discuss and define, design, implement, test, refine, and modify.

Start the First Workflow ProjectReview Connection ModesExplore Verbatim Features