Chrome Extension Setup

Install TrainMeUK - Guide Recorder from the Chrome Web Store and connect Cloud or Free PDF mode

What is Guide Recorder?

TrainMeUK - Guide Recorder is a free Chrome extension that records your interactions with web pages and automatically generates step-by-step Guides. As you click, navigate, and complete form fields, the extension captures screenshots and creates descriptive steps for each action.

Recording happens in the extension's side panel (drawer). You review and edit steps there before saving to TrainMeUK or exporting a PDF.

Two Recording Modes

Mode	What It Does	Requirements
TrainMeUK account (Cloud)	Saves Guides to your organisation's library in TrainMeUK for editing, assignment, and sharing	TrainMeUK account with Admin or Manager role
Free — PDF export	Keeps recordings on your device and downloads a branded PDF when you finish. Nothing is uploaded to the cloud.	No account required

Tip

You can switch between modes from the extension popup at any time when not recording.

Requirements

Requirement	Details
Browser	Google Chrome 114+ (side panel support). Also works on Chromium-based browsers such as Microsoft Edge.
Cloud mode account	TrainMeUK account with Admin or Manager role
PDF mode	No account or sign-in required
Permissions	The extension needs access to capture screenshots and detect navigation in browser tabs you record

Installation

Install from the Chrome Web Store

Install the extension directly from the Chrome Web Store:

TrainMeUK - Guide Recorder on Chrome Web Store

Your IT team can also deploy the extension centrally via Chrome Enterprise if preferred.

Pin the Extension

After installation, click the puzzle piece icon in the Chrome toolbar (Extensions menu)
Find TrainMeUK - Guide Recorder in the list
Click the pin icon to keep it visible in your toolbar

Tip

Pinning the extension makes it easy to open the popup and side panel with a single click.

Choose Your Recording Mode

Click the TrainMeUK - Guide Recorder icon in your Chrome toolbar. The popup opens and asks how you want to record:

Free — PDF export — record and download a PDF. No sign-in required.
TrainMeUK account — sign in and save Guides to your organisation's library.

Open the Side Panel

Click Open drawer (or Open drawer & start recording in PDF mode). The side panel opens alongside your browser window — this is where you start, pause, and stop recordings and review captured steps.

Connecting Your Account (Cloud Mode)

Skip this section if you are using Free PDF mode.

Start Authentication

Select TrainMeUK account in the extension popup
Click Connect to TrainMeUK
A new browser window opens with the TrainMeUK login page

Sign In and Authorise

Enter your email address and password
Complete any multi-factor authentication if prompted
Review the permissions and click Authorise
The authentication window closes and the popup shows your connected account

Tip

The extension uses secure OAuth authentication. Your password is never stored in the extension — only a secure token that can be revoked at any time.

Extension Permissions

The extension requests the following browser permissions:

Permission	Why It Is Needed
Active Tab	To capture screenshots of the current browser tab during recording
Storage	To save your authentication token, recording mode, and recording state locally
Scripting	To inject the recording script that captures your interactions
Tabs & Web Navigation	To detect page navigation and capture screenshots across tabs
Side Panel	To display the recording and step-review interface
Downloads	To save PDF exports to your computer (PDF mode)

Troubleshooting

Extension not appearing in toolbar?

Click the puzzle piece icon in Chrome's toolbar to view all extensions. If the extension is not listed, try reinstalling from the Chrome Web Store.

Side panel not opening?

Side panel support requires Chrome 114 or later. Update Chrome and try clicking Open drawer again from the extension popup.

Authentication window not opening?

Ensure pop-ups are not blocked for the TrainMeUK domain. Check your browser's pop-up blocker settings and add an exception if needed.

Connection failed or timed out?

Verify you have an active internet connection and that your TrainMeUK account has Admin or Manager permissions. Try clicking "Connect to TrainMeUK" again.

Token expired?

Authentication tokens refresh automatically. If you see an authentication error, click "Reconnect" or "Connect to TrainMeUK" in the extension popup to sign in again.

Next Steps

Now that the extension is installed:

Recording with the Chrome Extension - Learn how to record your first Guide
Creating Guides - Edit and refine Guides in the TrainMeUK web editor