Instant Replay
How It Works
Instant Replay uses lightweight session recording technology that runs inside the browser. Rather than capturing pixels as video, it records page changes, user interactions, and visual state. This produces lightweight session data that can be played back as a faithful reproduction of the original session.
Enable Instant Replay
Browse and test normally
Spot a bug and capture
Review the replay
Save and share
Instant Replay capture in extension
Why Session Data Instead of Video?
Traditional screen recordings capture raw pixel data, resulting in large video files. Instant Replay takes a fundamentally different approach by recording the structure of the page rather than its pixels.
| Aspect | Instant Replay (Session Data) | Screen Recording (Video) |
|---|---|---|
| File size | Typically 50-200 KB for a 30-second session | Several MB for the same duration |
| Format | Lightweight session data | WebM video (pixel data) |
| Playback | Reconstructed in the browser using the session player | Standard video player |
| Interactivity | Can inspect elements, copy text, resize during playback | Fixed resolution, view-only |
| Capture trigger | Retroactive: captures what already happened | Proactive: must start recording before the bug occurs |
| Performance impact | Minimal: lightweight event listeners | Higher: video encoding in real time |
Privacy and Data Handling
Instant Replay is designed with privacy as a core principle:
- The recording buffer stays in your browser until you choose to save. No data leaves your machine until you explicitly save a replay.
- Password fields are automatically masked in the recorded session data to prevent sensitive information from being captured.
- You can disable Instant Replay at any time from the extension settings. When disabled, no background recording occurs.
When to Use Instant Replay
Instant Replay is best for intermittent or hard-to-reproduce bugs. Since it captures retroactively, you do not need to anticipate when a bug will happen. It is also useful during exploratory testing sessions where you want to stay focused on the application without managing recording controls. For longer, planned recording sessions, use Screen Recording instead.