Quickstart

This guide will take you from zero to a shared recording in under a minute. By the end, you will have recorded your screen, gotten a shareable link, and sent it to someone.

Step 1: Install Cap Desktop

If you have not already, download and install Cap Desktop from Cap.so/download.

For detailed installation instructions including platform-specific permissions, see the Installation guide.

Step 2: Sign In

Open Cap Desktop and sign in with your Cap account. If you do not have one yet, you can create a free account directly from the app or at Cap.so.

Signing in connects your desktop app to the Cap cloud so your recordings can be shared instantly.

Step 3: Configure Your Recording

Before you hit record, take a moment to set up your capture:

1. Choose what to record - Select your entire screen, a specific window, or a specific application. Click the screen selector dropdown to choose.

2. Camera (optional) - Toggle the camera button to include a webcam overlay in your recording. Your face will appear as a floating circle in the corner of the video.

3. Microphone (optional) - Toggle the microphone button to capture audio narration along with your screen.

The first time you use the camera or microphone, your operating system will ask for permission. Click Allow to proceed.

Step 4: Record

Click the Record button to start capturing. You will see a brief countdown before recording begins.

While recording:

• A small indicator shows that Cap is actively recording
• Continue using your computer normally
• Navigate through whatever you want to show

When you are done, click the Stop button in the Cap toolbar or use the keyboard shortcut:

• macOS: Cmd + Shift + 2
• Windows: Ctrl + Shift + 2

Step 5: Share

After you stop recording, Cap processes your video and generates a shareable link that is ready to share.

Copy and paste the link anywhere:

• Slack or Teams messages
• Email
• GitHub issues or pull requests
• Notion documents
• Anywhere you can paste a URL

The recipient clicks the link and watches your recording instantly in their browser. No downloads, no accounts required.

What Happens Next

Your recording is now available on your Cap dashboard where you can:

• Rename your recording with a descriptive title
• Protect the share link with a password
• View analytics to see who watched and for how long
• Download the original video file
• Delete the recording when you no longer need it

Going Further

Now that you have made your first recording, explore what else Cap can do:

• Instant Mode - Learn more about quick recordings with instant sharing
• Studio Mode - Record locally and edit with professional tools before sharing
• Camera & Microphone - Fine-tune your audio and video settings
• Keyboard Shortcuts - Speed up your workflow with shortcuts
• Share a Cap - Customize your share links and settings
• Embeds - Embed recordings in websites and documentation
• Comments - Collaborate with timestamped feedback on recordings

Tips for Great Recordings

• Keep it short. Recordings under 3 minutes tend to get watched all the way through.
• Narrate as you go. Turn on your microphone and talk through what you are doing. Audio makes recordings much more useful.
• Show your face. A camera overlay adds a personal touch and keeps viewers engaged.
• Clean up your screen. Close unnecessary tabs and notifications before recording.
• Use a descriptive title. After recording, give it a clear name on your dashboard so viewers know what to expect.