# Start a Screen Recording in Chrome — RecBaba

> Open the RecBaba overlay on this tab. Choose a Chrome tab, window, or screen, then pause, stop, or discard. The file stays on this computer until you share.

This page starts a recording on the tab you are viewing. The overlay opens here. The file stays on this computer until you share.

## What you choose in the overlay

The overlay opens on this tab, in this order. Chrome Tab is selected to start.

1. Chrome Tab, Window, or Screen. A Chrome tab is the usual choice for a walkthrough of a site. Window records one application. Screen records the whole display.
2. Quality: 480p and 720p at 30fps. 1080p, 1440p, and 4K at 30 or 60fps, plus Auto. The default is 1080p at 30fps. Auto follows the display: 4K at 30fps, 1440p at 60fps unless the device pixel ratio is above 2, 1080p at 60fps, and 720p or 480p at 30fps.
3. Microphone and system audio are separate switches. System audio starts on. The microphone starts off. Both can be on, and they mix on this computer.
4. Camera and camera bubble. Camera starts off. Turn it on to include the webcam. The bubble is composited into the recording on this computer. Both are free on every plan.
5. Cursor effects for a Chrome Tab: spotlight and click rings start on. Follow zoom starts off. Window and Screen keep the real cursor. The effects are applied when you export. See /video-editor.

On Free, recording time follows the output height: unlimited at 720p and below, 30 minutes at 1080p or 1440p, and 5 minutes at 4K. Pro and Max have no recording-time cap. See /screen-recorder and /pricing.

## Controls while you record

A 3-second countdown runs before the take. That screen has no cancel button.

- The on-page pill shows a live timer, Pause or Resume, and Stop.
- Discard is on the extension toolbar panel, not the pill. It deletes that recording from this computer.
- Keep this tab open while you record.
- Suggested shortcuts, unless you have changed them in Chrome: Ctrl+Shift+E or Command+Shift+E to open RecBaba, Ctrl+Shift+1 or Command+Shift+1 to pause or resume, and Ctrl+Shift+2 or Command+Shift+2 to stop.

## The file stays on this computer

The recording is written on this computer every 2 seconds while the take is running. Pause and stop do not upload. See /privacy.

Stop opens the editor for that recording. See /video-editor. Sharing a link is a separate step. See /sharing. Google Drive is an optional destination. See /google-drive.

## Questions about starting and stopping

### What happens when I click Start Recording on this page?

The overlay opens on this tab. You choose a Chrome tab, window, or screen, then quality, audio, camera, and cursor options. A 3-second countdown runs, and the take starts. Nothing is uploaded.

### Can I pause, and which shortcuts does RecBaba suggest?

The on-page pill has a live timer, Pause or Resume, and Stop. RecBaba suggests Ctrl+Shift+E (Command+Shift+E on Mac) to open RecBaba, Ctrl+Shift+1 (Command+Shift+1 on Mac) to pause or resume, and Ctrl+Shift+2 (Command+Shift+2 on Mac) to stop. Chrome uses those unless you have changed them.

### What does Discard do?

Discard is on the extension toolbar panel, not the on-page pill. It deletes that recording from this computer. Stop keeps the file and opens the editor.

### What happens when I press Stop?

Stop keeps the file on this computer and opens the editor for that recording. Pause and stop do not upload. Sharing a link is a separate step.

### Do I have to keep this tab open?

Yes. The overlay asks you to keep this tab open while you record. The file is written on this computer every 2 seconds while the take is running.

All questions: /faq. How the 4K recorder works: /screen-recorder.