Record

Recording is the first step in creating an Arcade. You can record using the Chrome extension, the desktop app, uploaded media, or the Figma plugin.

Record

Recording is the first step in creating an Arcade. You can record using the Chrome extension, the desktop app, uploaded media, or the Figma plugin.

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Recording Methods

What are the different ways I can record an Arcade?

Arcade supports several input methods for capturing your content:

• Chrome extension – best for web apps

• Desktop app – great for desktop apps, multi-tab flows, or terminal workflows

• Media upload – bring your own MP4s, images, PDFs, YouTube links, and more

• Figma plugin – imports PNG frames directly from Figma into Arcade

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When should I use the Chrome extension?

Use the Chrome extension when capturing a browser-based web app. It’s fast, reliable, and optimized for interactive web experiences. Works on any Chromium-based browser (e.g. Chrome, Arc, Brave).

Safari is not supported — use the desktop app or manual upload instead.

When should I use the desktop app?

Use the desktop app when:

• Recording native apps or terminal windows

• Switching between multiple tabs or windows

• Capturing full displays or specific areas

• Recording on non-Chromium browsers

• Recording mobile devices via screen mirroring

The desktop app lets you select:

• Full display

• Specific window

• (Coming soon) Custom area

Can I manually upload content?

Yes! Just click Create Arcade and upload:

• MP4 videos

• Screenshots

• PDFs

• Full screen recordings

• Figma exports

You can then split or annotate the media just like a regular Arcade.

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Recording Behavior

What actions trigger screenshots or video segments?

Arcade behaves differently depending on your input:

• Clicks → screenshot + hotspot

• Scroll, type, drag, drop → video recording

You can delete, trim, or edit video segments after capture.

Can I cancel a recording in progress?

Yes! Press Escape (or your configured hotkey, like Cmd+J) to cancel at any time.

What happens after I finish recording?

Once recording is complete:

• Your capture is uploaded

• You’re taken into the full browser editor

• You can trim, annotate, split, or export your demo

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Chrome Extension Options

What are the recording modes in the Chrome extension?

When launching the Chrome extension, you’ll see three modes:

• Interactive – Records both screenshots and videos (default)

• Video only – Great for Loom-style flows

• Screenshot – Captures just a still image (good for adding to existing Arcades)

What are the settings available in the extension?

You’ll see these options:

• Record with Avery – Enable AI narration (see AI & Avery section)

• Edit page – Enables HTML editing before capture (see Page Morph section)

• Screen resize – Standardize the screen resolution for consistency across Arcades

Can the Arcade Chrome extension record another Chrome extensions?

No — Chrome extension behavior cannot be captured using the Arcade Chrome extension. Use the desktop app if you need to capture another extension in action.

What about dropdowns and file pickers?

Native browser elements (e.g. file pickers, native dropdowns) cannot be captured by Chrome's API. You can:

• Use the desktop app instead

• Upload a screenshot manually

• Annotate and insert during editing

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Screen Resize & Quality

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, but you can adjust this in Cover and Fit.

Why does screen size matter when recording?

Arcade captures at 2x resolution, so consistent sizing ensures high quality and uniform visuals. We recommend:

• Recording at a fixed screen size (use the Resize dropdown)

• Capturing on a high-DPI display (e.g. your laptop vs. external monitor)

What screen size options are available?

The Resize dropdown includes:

• Last used size

• Standard desktop size

• Standard laptop size

• Standard mobile size

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Desktop App

Our Desktop app is only supported by devices running macOS 13.0 and above

How does the desktop app work?

The desktop app offers powerful capture options beyond the browser:

• Choose to record an entire display, a specific window, or (soon) a custom area

• Supports audio and camera recording

• Works across multi-tab, multi-window, or multi-monitor setups

You can stop recording using a configurable hotkey.

Does the desktop app auto-update?

Yes. You’ll be prompted to restart and update when a new version is available.

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Recording Mobile Apps

How can I capture a mobile app?

Arcade doesn’t support mobile capture directly, but here are your options:

• iPhone: Use screen mirroring (e.g. via Sequoia or QuickTime) and record with the desktop app

• Android: Record your screen and upload the video

• Simulator: Use the macOS iOS Simulator and capture with the desktop app. More instructions here.

You can then use AI video splitting or manual splitting to create an interactive flow.

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Upload Troubleshooting

What should I do if my recording won’t upload?

Common issues and solutions:

Error Description	Likely Cause	Fix
Upload stuck at 0%	Capture failed	Try re-recording
Upload fails mid-way (20–40%)	Weak connection	Restart your computer or router
Upload stuck on "Preparing"	High memory usage	Close memory-intensive applications
Upload fails at random %	Rare backend issue	Contact support

If all else fails:

1. Restart your browser or desktop app

2. Uninstall/reinstall the Chrome extension

3. Reach out to support — you shouldn't be seeing persistent upload issues

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