Recording with the Chrome Extension

Use the Chrome Extension to automatically record screen interactions and generate Guides

Before You Start

Make sure you have completed the Chrome Extension Setup and that the extension shows your connected account. You should also:

  • Know the process you want to record
  • Have any necessary login credentials ready for the application you're recording
  • Close unnecessary tabs to keep recordings focused
  • Navigate to the starting page of the procedure before you begin recording

Starting a Recording

1

Open the Extension Popup

Click the TrainMeUK SOP Recorder icon in your Chrome toolbar. The popup displays your connected account and recording controls.

2

Select a Folder (Optional)

Choose a folder to organise the new Guide. If you skip this step, the Guide will be created in the root "All Guides" location. You can move it later.

3

Start Recording

  1. Click the Start Recording button
  2. Enter a title for the Guide (required)
  3. Optionally add a description
  4. The extension creates a new Guide via the TrainMeUK API
  5. An initial screenshot is captured as Step 1
  6. A red "REC" badge appears on the extension icon to indicate recording is active

Tip

The "REC" badge on the extension icon is always visible while recording, so you can easily tell when a recording is in progress.

During Recording

While recording, simply use the web application as you normally would. The extension captures your interactions in the background:

InteractionWhat Gets Captured
Clicking buttons or linksScreenshot with highlight showing where you clicked, plus a step describing the action
Navigating to a new pageScreenshot of the new page with a navigation step
Submitting formsScreenshot and a step describing the form submission
Typing in fieldsTyping events are filtered out for privacy - only the resulting actions are captured

Visual Feedback

During recording, you'll see a brief red highlight flash around elements you click. This confirms the extension is capturing your interaction. The highlight disappears quickly and does not interfere with your workflow.

Smart Step Generation

The extension intelligently processes your interactions:

  • Click + Navigation deduplication - If a click immediately triggers a page navigation, they are combined into a single step
  • Descriptive titles - Steps are automatically titled based on the element you interacted with (e.g., "Click 'Submit' on Login Page")
  • Rate-limited screenshots - Screenshots are captured efficiently without overwhelming your system

Tip

You can record across multiple pages and even multiple tabs. The extension tracks navigation and captures screenshots as you move between pages.

Stopping the Recording

4

Stop Recording

  1. Click the TrainMeUK SOP Recorder icon in the toolbar
  2. Click the Stop Recording button
  3. A final screenshot is captured as the completion step
5

Automatic Processing

After stopping, the extension automatically:

  1. Processes all captured events into structured steps
  2. Uploads all screenshots to the TrainMeUK server
  3. Generates step titles and descriptions from the recorded interactions
  4. Updates the Guide with the complete step package

The popup shows a success message with a link to view the newly created Guide.

Reviewing and Editing

After recording, your Guide is saved as a Draft. Open it in the web editor to:

  • Review auto-generated steps - Check that each step accurately describes the action
  • Edit titles and descriptions - Refine the wording for clarity
  • Remove unnecessary steps - Delete any accidental clicks or irrelevant steps
  • Reorder steps - Adjust the step order if needed
  • Edit screenshots - Highlight areas, blur sensitive data, or crop images
  • Add missing steps - Insert additional steps that weren't captured

Tip

Always review a recorded Guide before publishing. Auto-generated step titles are good starting points but may benefit from editing for your specific audience.

Tips for Better Recordings

Work at a Natural Pace

Don't rush through actions. The extension needs a moment between interactions to capture clean screenshots. A natural working pace produces the best results.

Start from the Right Page

Navigate to your starting point before clicking Start Recording. The first screenshot captured becomes Step 1 of your Guide.

Keep It Focused

Record one procedure at a time. If you need to document multiple processes, create separate recordings for each one.

Mind Sensitive Data

Be aware that screenshots capture everything visible on screen. Use the blur tool in the editor afterwards to redact any sensitive information.

Next Steps

After recording your Guide: