Record
The first step in making an Arcade is recording. This page handles the basics (and the advanced!) of recording a great Arcade.
Our Desktop app is only supported by devices running MacOS 13.0 and above
What are the recording mediums?
Arcades can be recorded through:
You can also upload media to an Arcade -- whether that's a PDF, image, or video.
Browser Recording
How do I record an Arcade?
Click on the Arcade Chrome extension to start recording, and click it again to stop. You can also use ⌘E to start or stop recording.
Once you start recording, Arcade will automatically capture everything you click on. When the Arcade is done recording, you'll be able to edit your Arcade.
When will Arcade record video? When will Arcade record screenshots?
When you click anywhere on a webpage, Arcade will take a screenshot and put a hotspot where you've clicked.
If you scroll, type, drag and drop, Arcade will record a video. You can always keep, edit, or delete these videos while editing your flow.
Can I cancel a recording midway through?
Of course! Just hit the Esc key, and the recording will automatically stop. If you finish a recording you don't need, you can always delete it from your library.
Can I create an Arcade manually (without using the Chrome extension)?
For sure! Anyone can create an Arcade manually, without the Chrome extension. You can always use this to add other media to your Arcade while editing.
Make sure that all images and videos you add to an Arcade use the same dimensions. Arcade automatically resizes all images to match the dimensions of the first uploaded or captured image,
Is there anything Arcade can't capture on a browser?
Arcade should capture everything that shows on your tab while you are recording. There are a handful of exceptions:
If you move to another tab, Arcade will capture images but not videos. If you need to move between tabs, we suggest creating an Arcade on each tab and then combining them by copying and pasting the steps.
Arcade cannot capture the action of another Chrome extension.
Whenever a website uses native select controls (drop-downs that aren't styled, native windows like a file picker), the Chrome capture API will not record it. In these events, you'd need to upload a screenshot of the file picker or other control to add it to your Arcade.
If you move too quickly, the Chrome extension may miss a blade or tab. In these cases, we recommend slowing down while you record your Arcade. Make sure to hover over the items you'd like to capture, and maybe add an extra click on the blade while it's open. This shouldn't happen frequently, and please reach out to us if you notice it happening to you!
Chrome Extension
Should I record with the Chrome extension?
Recording with the Chrome extension is the easiest way to make an Arcade.
If you prefer not to use the Chrome extension, you can always manually make an Arcade with screenshots or use the desktop app.
Does the Chrome extension work other browsers?
The Chrome extension should work on all Chromium browsers.
Safari: The Chrome extension won't work on Safari. If you use Safari, you can always create an Arcade manually.
Arc: Yup! Arc is a Chromium browser, so the Arcade extension works great there. Most of the Arcade team uses Arc. (Arcade on Arc... pretty meta.)
Brave: The Chrome extension also works on Brave.
Other browsers: Write to us and let us know your experience!
Desktop
What can I record?
Arcade's desktop app allows you to create interactive demos through recording desktop apps, terminal apps, and multiple tabs/screens.
How do I record a demo with the desktop app?
After launching the Arcade app, choose between recording your entire screen or app and then press the 'record interactive demo' button.
Can I edit a demo after recording it?
Absolutely. Once you've finished recording, your Arcade will open up a tab in your default browser to upload. You will have the same editing capabilities from there as the Chrome extension.
Can I export my demo? If so, in what formats?
Yes! Once you have edited your Arcade, the demo can be exported in GIF and video formats with customizable export settings for quality and size.
How do I check for updates?
If a new update is available, you will be prompted with a modal to update the app on loading. It will require a refresh of the app.
Mobile
Can I record an Arcade on my phone?
Chrome extensions don't work on most mobile browsers (both iPhone and Android), so you won't be able to record an Arcade directly on your phone.
You can use iPhone Screen Mirroring + Sequioa to see your iPhone directly on your computer screen and record using the Desktop app. More instructions here.
Alternatively, for non-iPhones, you can take screenshots and screen recordings on your phone and then upload them to create a mobile Arcade, or you can upload a screen recording and use video splitting to make it into an interactive demo.
Can I make an Arcade of a phone App?
You can! Below are our recommended steps to getting the cleanest look and experience:
Download and install the Arcade Desktop App
On your Mac, launch the "Simulator App" (⌘+Spacebar should open your spotlight, from there type Simulator.) The simulator is offered by XCode, if you don't have it yet, your Mac should start the download of the missing packages
On the simulator, install your mobile app from the App store.
Once you have both the Arcade Desktop App and the Simulator you're good to go.
Can I turn a mobile or desktop recording into an interactive Arcade?
Yes! Our video splitting feature will allow you to turn any recording into an interactive demo.
Sizing
What is the screen resize feature?
Before Arcade starts recording, it will resize your screen to an optimal size. Using a standard size makes it easier to record Arcades between different screens, upload correctly sized images no matter where you are, and keep the resolution crisp.
You do not need to use the screen resize feature, but it does help!
If I'm manually creating an Arcade, what dimensions should I use?
If you're creating an Arcade from scratch, we recommend recording at 1200x800 px. However, you can also record at a larger or smaller size!
If you're uploading media and want to ensure it is sized correctly, you can check the dimensions of your first uploaded step.
How can I check my Arcade's dimensions or the dimensions of media in the library?
In order to see a specific Arcade's dimensions, click on the Media Library button. Above the Upload Media button, you'll see the dimensions of your Arcade.
Any image and video in the library will show its dimensions in the bottom left corner.
Troubleshooting
Why is my upload not going through? The screen says, "Preparing your Arcade," but it hasn't ended.
This tends to be a memory issue. Check if any processes on your machine use up a lot of memory; stopping them usually helps.
Upload issues can occur at various stages for different reasons. If the upload fails immediately at 0% progress, it’s likely due to the extension not capturing or passing data correctly; re-recording the Arcade and ensuring the extension is updated can resolve this. If the upload halts at partial progress (e.g., 20% or 50%), the problem is often a network issue; checking network stability and restarting your computer can help. If the upload reaches 100% but fails to create the Arcade, it indicates a problem in the final step of the upload process, which is less common and should be reported for further investigation.
To address general upload issues, ensure you have a stable internet connection, restart your computer to clear any temporary issues, and retry recording the Arcade if the upload fails. While the retry button can sometimes help, re-recording the Arcade is often more effective.
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