| name | Using ask-question CLI |
| description | Send prompts to ChatGPT via browser automation. Use this when you need to query ChatGPT from the command line or integrate with the /ask-question slash command. |
| allowed-tools | ["Bash","Read"] |
Using ask-question CLI
Send prompts to ChatGPT via Playwright browser automation with headless operation.
Architecture
ask-question CLI ──► HTTP POST /ask ──► ask-question-server (daemon)
│
▼
Chromium (headless)
+ storageState session
│
▼
ChatGPT response
Prerequisites
- Node.js installed
- Playwright with Chromium (
npm install downloads it)
- npm link run in the chatgpt-relay directory
Setup (One-Time)
cd ~/Code/chatgpt-relay
npm install
npm link
ask-question-login
Starting the Daemon
ask-question-server
Keep this running in a dedicated terminal or tmux pane. It runs headless (no visible browser).
Expected output:
[ask-question-server] Starting headless browser...
[ask-question-server] Using session: ~/.chatgpt-relay/storage-state.json
[ask-question-server] ChatGPT page opened (headless).
[ask-question-server] HTTP server listening on http://127.0.0.1:3033
Usage
Direct prompt
ask-question "What is the capital of France?"
From file
ask-question -f question.md -o answer.md
Pipe input
echo "Explain async/await in JavaScript" | ask-question
Options
| Option | Description |
|---|
-f, --file <path> | Read prompt from file |
-o, --output <path> | Write response to file |
-t, --timeout <ms> | Response timeout (default: 1200000 / 20 min) |
--continue | Continue existing chat (default: start new chat) |
-h, --help | Show help |
Integration with /ask-question Slash Command
The /ask-question slash command in Claude Code uses this CLI:
- Claude drafts a Stack Exchange-formatted question
- Claude invokes:
ask-question -f question.md -o answer.md
- CLI blocks while ChatGPT responds (typically 1-10 minutes)
- Claude reads the answer file and discusses
Use /ask-question draft topic to skip automation and just draft the question.
Troubleshooting
"Server not running or not responding"
Start the daemon:
ask-question-server
"No session found"
Run login helper:
ask-question-login
Session expired
ChatGPT sessions expire after a while. Re-run login:
ask-question-login
Response timeout
Default is 20 minutes. Adjust if needed:
ask-question -t 120000 "What is 2+2?"
ask-question -t 1800000 "Write a comprehensive analysis..."
Environment Variables
| Variable | Default | Description |
|---|
ASK_QUESTION_SERVER_URL | http://127.0.0.1:3033 | Server URL |
ASK_QUESTION_PORT | 3033 | Server port |
ASK_QUESTION_STORAGE_STATE_FILE | ~/.chatgpt-relay/storage-state.json | Session file |
Files
| Path | Purpose |
|---|
~/.chatgpt-relay/storage-state.json | Saved ChatGPT session (cookies/localStorage) |