> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.openrecorder.xyz/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Use the Open Recorder timeline to edit your recording

> Use the Open Recorder timeline editor to add zoom, trim, and annotation regions to your recording before export — all non-destructively.

After you finish recording, Open Recorder opens the editor and displays a timeline scrubber beneath the video preview. The timeline is where you shape your recording before export. You can add three types of regions — zoom, trim, and annotation — at any point on the clip. Every edit is non-destructive: the original recording file is never modified, and all changes are stored in the `.openrecorder` project file alongside the recording.

## Opening the editor

Open Recorder opens the editor automatically after a recording finishes. To reopen a past recording, go to the library, find the project card, and click it to load the editor. The editor restores any timeline regions you previously added to that project.

## Timeline regions

The timeline has three region types. Each type lives on its own layer row beneath the clip waveform, color-coded so you can tell them apart at a glance.

| Region type    | Color  | What it does                                                               |
| -------------- | ------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Zoom**       | Blue   | Smoothly zooms into a part of the frame for the duration of the region     |
| **Trim**       | Red    | Marks a section to cut out of the export                                   |
| **Annotation** | Purple | Displays a text label overlaid on the video for the duration of the region |

### Zoom regions

A zoom region applies a smooth punch-in effect during playback and export. You set the zoom depth (how far in to zoom), the focus point (where on the frame to center), and the mode (auto-generated or manually placed). Open Recorder animates a 0.22 s ramp-in and a 0.25 s ramp-out at the edges of every zoom region so the transition never feels abrupt.

### Trim regions

A trim region marks a span of the timeline to remove from the export. The trimmed frames are excluded during rendering — the source recording file is never touched. You can add multiple trim regions to cut out several separate sections. If your trim regions collectively remove the entire recording, the export fails with an "empty timeline" error.

### Annotation regions

An annotation region displays a text label over the video during that time range. You can reposition the label and change its text. The label fades in and out at the edges of the region.

## Adding a region

Focus the timeline panel, then use one of the following methods:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Position the playhead">
    Click anywhere on the clip track or scrub the ruler to move the playhead to the point where you want the region to start.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add a zoom region">
    Press **Z** to add a zoom region at the current playhead position. You can also click directly on the zoom layer row to place a region at that position.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select and inspect the region">
    Click the region pill to select it. The right-hand inspector panel switches to show region-specific controls — depth, focus point, and mode for zoom regions; text content for annotation regions.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  Zoom regions cannot overlap. If you try to place a new zoom on top of an existing one, Open Recorder shows a status message and cancels the placement.
</Note>

## Editing a region

Click a region pill on the timeline to select it. When selected, circular resize handles appear on both ends.

* **Move** the region: drag the body of the pill left or right along the track.
* **Resize** the region: drag either resize handle to change the start or end time.
* **Delete** the region: select it, then press **Delete** or **Backspace**.
* **Deepen zoom depth**: double-click a zoom region to cycle its depth to the next available value.

Every drag move or resize begins an undo transaction automatically, so you can reverse the change.

## Undo and redo

The timeline editor maintains a full undo/redo history. Press **⌘ Z** to undo the last timeline change and **⌘ ⇧ Z** to redo it. The status bar beneath the timeline confirms each undo or redo action with a message such as "Undid timeline edit."

## Preview

Press **Space** to toggle playback in the editor. The video preview panel reflects all active timeline regions in real time — zoom regions animate during playback, and trimmed sections are skipped. Use the preview speed button in the timeline toolbar to increase playback speed while reviewing long recordings.

<Note>
  Timeline edits are stored non-destructively in the `.openrecorder` project file. The original recording is never modified. You can adjust or remove any region and re-export without re-recording.
</Note>