> ## 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.

# How to record your screen with the Open Recorder app

> Learn how to start and stop a screen recording in Open Recorder, where recordings are saved, and how to use facecam overlay and auto-zoom.

Screen recording in Open Recorder captures video of a display, window, or drawn area and saves the result to `~/Movies/Open Recorder`. Each recording also creates a `.openrecorder` project file so Open Recorder can track, organize, and re-open the project later from the Project Library. You can record with system audio, microphone, and a facecam overlay — all configurable from the capture HUD before you hit Record.

## Start a recording

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Open Recorder and go to the Capture tab">
    Launch Open Recorder. From the main HUD, click **Record Video** to enter recording setup.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose a source type">
    Select **Screen**, **Window**, or **Area** to define what gets recorded. For Screen, pick your display from the list. For Window, select an open app window from the source selector. For Area, draw a region on screen using the selection overlay.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure capture options">
    Use the capture control group in the HUD to toggle **System Audio**, **Microphone**, and **Camera** (facecam) on or off. These options can only be changed before recording starts.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Record">
    Press **Record** (or use the keyboard shortcut **⌘R**). A countdown begins before capture starts, giving you time to switch to the window or area you are recording.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Use the HUD to pause or stop">
    While recording is active, the HUD shows a Stop button. Click **Stop** (or press **⌘R** again) to end the recording.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Recording saves automatically">
    After you stop, Open Recorder finalizes the file and saves it to `~/Movies/Open Recorder`. The project appears in the Project Library immediately.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Facecam overlay

Open Recorder supports a facecam overlay during recording. When you enable the camera toggle in the capture HUD before starting, Open Recorder records your camera feed alongside the screen capture. The facecam video is saved separately and composited into the final output in the editor, where you can adjust its position, size, shape, and border.

Open Recorder supports built-in and external cameras. If you have multiple cameras connected, use **Change Camera…** in the HUD to select the device you want.

<Tip>
  Facecam settings — including position (anchor), size, shape, corner radius, and border — can be adjusted after recording in the video editor.
</Tip>

## Auto-zoom

When **Create zooms automatically** is enabled in **Settings → Recording**, Open Recorder tracks cursor movement and click telemetry during the recording. After you stop, it analyzes the recorded clicks and automatically places zoom regions on the timeline at the moments where you clicked. Each zoom region focuses on the area around the last click in a cluster, with a short lead-in before the click and a hold period after.

You can review, adjust, or remove the generated zoom regions in the timeline editor before exporting.

<Note>
  Auto-zoom requires the Accessibility permission so Open Recorder can record cursor position and click events during capture. Grant access in **Settings → Permissions → Accessibility**.
</Note>

## Where recordings are saved

Recordings are saved to `~/Movies/Open Recorder`. Each recording also creates a corresponding `.openrecorder` project file in `~/Library/Application Support/Open Recorder/Projects`, which stores the project metadata and editor state.

<Note>
  After recording stops, the project appears in the Project Library immediately. Open it from there to edit, trim, add zoom regions, or export.
</Note>