Windows only
This is a Windows app. It needs the WebView2 runtime, which comes preinstalled on Windows 11 and updated Windows 10.
Always-on Windows desktop app
Don't walk into the same instance twice.
When you're hopping between public VRChat instances, instance numbers are just digits — "#12345" doesn't tell you whether you were just there. VRC PublicWalker watches your VRChat logs, keeps a visit history, and warns you — in an always-on-top window and an optional XSOverlay notification — the moment you walk back into somewhere you've already been. On SteamVR, it can show the list on your wrist, too.
#40921 was also visited 3 min ago
- #40921Sunset Beach Club3 min ago (clears in 17 min)
- #77103Chill Lounge12 min ago (clears in 8 min)
BEFORE YOU BUY
Check these before you buy.
A few things worth knowing up front, so nothing catches you off guard.
Built for Steam VRChat
The app reads the log files VRChat writes to work out which instances you've entered. It is intended for the Steam version of VRChat.
XSOverlay is optional
You don't need it — the desktop window works fine on its own. Connect XSOverlay (on Steam, sold separately) only if you want revisit notifications inside VR.
The wrist list is SteamVR (PCVR) only
If you don't use SteamVR (for example, standalone Quest), the wrist list won't appear. To get revisit notifications inside VR in that case, you'll still need XSOverlay.
Windows may show a warning on install
The app isn't code-signed, so Windows may show a SmartScreen warning. That's normal for independently published software, not a sign of a problem. See "Getting started" below for how to continue.
GET STARTED
Ready in four steps.
Install it, then just launch VRChat.
Run the installer
Double-click the installer you downloaded from BOOTH (VRC_PublicWalker_x.x.x_x64-setup.exe) and follow the prompts. No administrator rights are needed. Afterwards, launch it from the Start menu as "VRC PublicWalker".
If Windows says "Windows protected your PC"
That's normal. Click "More info", then "Run anyway" to continue. If your antivirus reacts, it's a false positive for the same reason.
Launch VRChat and join a public instance
Before or after launching VRC PublicWalker — either order works. Any log already on disk at launch is picked up automatically.
See the number appear in the list
The instance number appears in the window's list. Walk into the same instance again, and you'll get a notification.
Using VR gear? If you want to notice a revisit while wearing your headset, connect it to XSOverlay (Steam, sold separately). On SteamVR, just start SteamVR and the list appears on your wrist (right wrist by default).
HOW IT WORKS
What happens after you install it.
You don't have to do anything — this all runs in the background.
It records your visits automatically
It reads the logs VRChat writes and records where you went (world name and instance number) and when. It never modifies VRChat's files.
It warns you about recent revisits
Walk into the same instance within your set time (20 minutes by default) and an amber banner appears in the window. If you use XSOverlay, you also get a notification inside VR.
Your history stays
Records are saved on your own PC. The time rule keeps working even after VRChat's logs are gone or you restart the app.
When the warning appears: Detection happens at the moment you start entering an instance. So when a warning shows up, you'd head to a different instance — and the surest habit is to compare the list's numbers against the world list before you join.
FEATURES
Stop comparing digits by eye.
VRC PublicWalker watches your VRChat logs and records every visit. When you walk back into an instance you've already visited, it tells you — in the window, over XSOverlay (optional), and on your wrist in SteamVR.
Always-on-top, big numbers
Your current location and a list of recently visited instances stay in an always-on-top window. Instance numbers are shown large, so you can compare them against a world list at a glance.
Revisit notifications
Walk into an instance you've already visited, and the window shows "#12345 was also visited 5 min ago." Optional XSOverlay notifications mean you'll notice even in VR — and you can switch off just the XSOverlay part if you like.
Adjustable threshold
Change "how many minutes counts as a revisit" anytime (1–1440 minutes, default 20). Change it with "Revisit warning threshold (min)" on the Settings tab.
Leave detection, too
Leave a world, and the stay-time counter stops while the number dims. You can tell at a glance whether you're still there.
Two detection modes
Choose OSC sync, which catches the moment you move using VRChat's OSC output, or Log watching, which polls your logs on an interval. Switch anytime with a radio button.
Visit history saved locally
Your visit history keeps living on your PC. VRChat's own logs are deleted after 24 hours, but your records stay put, so the revisit rule survives an app restart.
Make it your own
Choose from seven color themes, and fine-tune the number size and background opacity — handy for VR-overlay-style setups too.
Five languages
The interface is available in Japanese, English, Korean, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese. Switch anytime from the Settings tab.
Online only to check for updates
The only destination is the official site, and all it asks for is the latest version number. No records or personal information are sent. Everything else stays on your own PC, between the app and VRChat, XSOverlay, and SteamVR.
Wrist list in VR (SteamVR)
While SteamVR is running, the back of your chosen wrist shows where you are plus a list of visited instances (up to 8, newest first). Just turn your hand like you're checking a watch.
Starts with SteamVR
Launch the app once while SteamVR is running, and from then on it starts automatically with SteamVR.
Update check
Press the update-check button on the About tab to see whether a new version is out. The automatic check at launch can be turned off in Settings.
STEAMVR
On SteamVR, check it on your wrist.
While SteamVR is running, the list appears on the back of the wrist you choose (right wrist by default). Just turn your hand like you're checking a watch — no need to take your headset off.
What it shows
- Where you are
- The top row shows your current instance and how long you've been there. It dims after you leave.
- Visited list
- Up to 8 recent visits, newest first. Your current instance isn't repeated.
- When it's visible
- Only while the face of the panel is turned toward you. You can also have it hide when you lower your arm.
- When it's hidden
- While paused, and while the controller on your chosen wrist isn't connected.
Use your other hand
- Grab and move
- Point the other hand's ray (a round cursor) at the panel and squeeze the grip, then move it. It's pinned where you let go. Left and right positions are saved separately.
- Fold and unfold
- Point at the ▲/▼ button at the panel's top right and pull the trigger to switch between a single current-location row and the full list.
- Lock position
- Turn it on so you can't move the panel by accident. Fold and unfold still work.
- Reset to default
- Puts only the selected wrist's panel back in its original position.
The SteamVR tab (Settings)
- Show list on wrist
- On or off (on by default)
- Which hand
- Left or right (right by default)
- Look
- Panel size, opacity, and number of history rows. Stay time and unlock time can be toggled individually.
- Auto-show
- The angle toward your face, the delay before showing, and whether to hide when you lower your arm
- Status
- SteamVR connection status and more
Start automatically with SteamVR
First time only: launch the app while SteamVR is running
With both running, the app registers itself with SteamVR within a few seconds and auto-start is turned on. If you only use desktop mode without SteamVR, nothing is registered.
From then on: just start SteamVR
The app launches along with SteamVR, and the usual window appears on your desktop too. You switch this on or off in SteamVR's settings, not in the app.
About controllers: Default bindings are included for Index, Quest/Rift (Touch), Vive, Windows Mixed Reality, HP Reverb G2, and Vive Cosmos controllers. Other controllers work too once you assign the actions in SteamVR's "Controllers" settings.
CONTROLS
Change it on the spot, from Settings.
The settings you'll actually want to change live together in the Settings tab.
Display & notifications
- Always on top
- Toggle whether the window stays on top
- Threshold
- Minutes that count as a revisit (1–1440, default 20)
- Number size
- Size of the numbers in the list and current location
- Background opacity
- Lower it to see through the background
- Color theme
- Choose from seven themes
Connection & detection
- Detection mode
- OSC sync or Log watching
- OSC port
- Change it if another OSC app is using the port
- XSOverlay notifications
- Turn off to stop only the XSOverlay notifications (recording and the in-window notice continue)
- XSOverlay port
- Leave it as-is unless you changed it in XSOverlay
- Test notification
- Check on the spot whether it actually arrives
Storage & updates
- VRChat log folder
- Pick it with Browse, or leave it blank for the default
- Open log file
- Open the log file currently being read
- Check for updates at launch
- Turn off to stop the automatic check at startup
- Check for updates
- Button on the About tab. If there's a new version, it points you to the BOOTH page
FAQ
Stuck? Start here.
Common questions, before and after purchase.
No notification in VR / I don't have XSOverlay
The amber banner in the window always appears, with or without XSOverlay. To receive notices inside VR, you need either XSOverlay notifications or the SteamVR wrist list. If you own XSOverlay, launch it, then press the test-notification button on the Settings tab and check that it shows up in VR.
Can I use the wrist list on standalone Quest?
No. The wrist list is for SteamVR (PCVR) only and won't appear without SteamVR.
Windows said "Windows protected your PC" during install
That's normal. Click "More info" then "Run anyway." It's the SmartScreen warning Windows shows by default for independently published, unsigned software. If your antivirus reacts, it's a false positive for the same reason.
The list stays empty
Check the log line on the Settings tab. If it says output_log_*.txt can't be found, launch VRChat once. If that doesn't fix it, send
diagnostics.log from the install folder via a BOOTH message. Identifying details are masked, so you can send it as is.What happens if I close the window?
Monitoring stops too (nothing stays resident). If the window is in your way, uncheck "Always on top" in Settings, or minimize it instead.
The wrist list doesn't appear / I can't grab the panel
Check that SteamVR is running, the controller on your chosen wrist is on, the app isn't paused, and the panel's face is turned toward you. If you can't grab it, check that the wrist-panel position lock is off and that the grip action is assigned on the other hand. The SteamVR tab shows the current status.
How do I update?
Press the update-check button on the About tab. If there's a new version, use the button to open BOOTH, download the latest version from your purchase history, and run the installer. Your history and settings carry over.
How do I uninstall?
Open Windows Settings → Apps, pick "VRC PublicWalker" and uninstall. To keep your history, copy
history.db somewhere else first. If you used SteamVR, turn off this app's auto-start in SteamVR's settings before uninstalling.What does it record, and what does it send?
It records entry time, world name, world ID, instance number, region, and exit time — all stored only on your PC, in the install folder. Private-instance nonces, host user IDs, and group IDs are removed before saving. The app connects to the internet only to check for updates, and only asks for the latest version number. It sends no records and no personal information, and collects no usage data.
NOTES
Before you begin
Depends on VRChat's own behavior
Detection works by reading the log files VRChat writes, so changes to VRChat's own logging could break it.
Wrist panel actions may reach VRChat too
Grabbing the panel (grip) or pressing its buttons (trigger) may also be passed to VRChat at the same time. If that bothers you, change the bindings in SteamVR's controller settings.
It goes online only to check for updates
The only destination is the official site. Everything with VRChat, XSOverlay, and SteamVR stays on your own PC. You can turn off the automatic check at launch in Settings.
Bundled software
For SteamVR support, Valve Corporation's openvr_api.dll (BSD-3-Clause license) is included. The license text is in the Terms of Use that ships with the app.