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
Open the Extension Popup
Click the TrainMeUK SOP Recorder icon in your Chrome toolbar. The popup displays your connected account and recording controls.
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.
Start Recording
- Click the Start Recording button
- Enter a title for the Guide (required)
- Optionally add a description
- The extension creates a new Guide via the TrainMeUK API
- An initial screenshot is captured as Step 1
- A red "REC" badge appears on the extension icon to indicate recording is active
Tip
During Recording
While recording, simply use the web application as you normally would. The extension captures your interactions in the background:
| Interaction | What Gets Captured |
|---|---|
| Clicking buttons or links | Screenshot with highlight showing where you clicked, plus a step describing the action |
| Navigating to a new page | Screenshot of the new page with a navigation step |
| Submitting forms | Screenshot and a step describing the form submission |
| Typing in fields | Typing 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
Stopping the Recording
Stop Recording
- Click the TrainMeUK SOP Recorder icon in the toolbar
- Click the Stop Recording button
- A final screenshot is captured as the completion step
Automatic Processing
After stopping, the extension automatically:
- Processes all captured events into structured steps
- Uploads all screenshots to the TrainMeUK server
- Generates step titles and descriptions from the recorded interactions
- 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
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:
- Creating Guides - Learn more about the web editor for refining your Guide
- Managing Guides - Organise into folders and set assignment rules
- Viewing & Following Guides - See how users will experience your Guide