Recording with the Chrome Extension
Record workflows in the side panel, pause and resume, then save to TrainMeUK or export a PDF
Before You Start
Make sure you have completed the Chrome Extension Setup and opened the side panel. 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
Tip
Starting a Recording
Open the Side Panel
Click the TrainMeUK - Guide Recorder icon in your Chrome toolbar, then click Open drawer to open the side panel. All recording controls live here — not in the small popup.
Select a Folder (Cloud Mode, Optional)
In Cloud mode, choose a folder to organise the new Guide. If you skip this step, the Guide will be created in the root location. You can move it later in TrainMeUK. Folder selection is not available in Free PDF mode.
Start Recording
- Enter a title for the Guide (required)
- Optionally add a description
- Click Start Recording
- An initial screenshot is captured as Step 1
- The extension icon shows a recording indicator while capture is active
Tip
During Recording
While recording, use the web application as you normally would. The extension captures interactions in the background and adds steps to the side panel as you go:
| Interaction | What Gets Captured |
|---|---|
| Clicking buttons or links | Screenshot with a 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 |
| Completing a text field | When you leave a field (blur), a step is captured — individual keystrokes are not recorded |
Pause and Resume
Click Pause recording in the side panel if you need a break. While paused, no interactions are captured. Click Resume recording to continue. This is useful when switching tasks or handling sensitive information off-screen.
Visual Feedback
During recording, you'll see a brief red highlight flash around elements you click. This confirms the extension is capturing your interaction.
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
- Rate-limited screenshots — if capture is throttled, pause briefly and continue at a natural pace
Tip
Stopping and Reviewing
Stop Recording
- Click Stop Recording in the side panel
- You may be asked whether to capture a final screenshot
- The side panel switches to review mode showing all captured steps
Edit Steps in the Side Panel
Before saving, you can refine the recording directly in the side panel:
- Edit step titles and descriptions
- Reorder or remove steps
- Annotate screenshots — highlights, arrows, text, redaction, and numbered callouts
- Undo the most recently added step if needed
Save or Export
When you are happy with the steps:
| Mode | Action |
|---|---|
| Cloud (TrainMeUK account) | Click Save to TrainMeUK. The Guide is uploaded and saved as a Draft in your organisation's library. |
| Free PDF export | Click Export to PDF. A branded PDF is downloaded to your computer. Nothing is uploaded. |
In Cloud mode, you can also download a PDF copy after saving.
Reviewing in TrainMeUK (Cloud Mode)
After saving to TrainMeUK, your Guide is stored as a Draft. Open it in the TrainMeUK web editor to:
- Review auto-generated steps for accuracy
- Refine titles and descriptions for your audience
- Remove unnecessary steps or add missing ones
- Edit screenshots with highlight, blur, and crop tools
- Organise into folders, set assignment rules, and publish
Tip
Tips for Better Recordings
Work at a Natural Pace
Don't rush through actions. A natural working pace produces the cleanest screenshots.
Start from the Right Page
Navigate to your starting point before clicking Start Recording. The first screenshot becomes Step 1 of your Guide.
Keep It Focused
Record one procedure at a time. Create separate recordings for separate processes.
Mind Sensitive Data
Screenshots capture everything visible on screen. Use the redaction tool in the side panel or blur tool in the TrainMeUK editor to redact 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