> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.buildbetter.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Recording Methods

> Different ways to record and capture calls in BuildBetter

<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/1054339962" width="100%" height="400" frameBorder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowFullScreen />

BuildBetter offers three main ways to record and capture calls for analysis.

## Recording Options

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Calendar Integration" icon="calendar">
    Connect Google Calendar or Outlook to automatically record scheduled meetings
  </Card>

  <Card title="Manual Join" icon="robot">
    Paste a meeting link to have BuildBetter join and record on-demand
  </Card>

  <Card title="Upload Recordings" icon="upload">
    Upload existing audio, video, or transcript files
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## 1. Calendar Integration (Recommended)

The most seamless way to record calls is through calendar integration.

### How It Works

<Steps>
  <Step title="Connect Calendar" stepNumber={1}>
    Go to Settings > Integrations and connect your Google Calendar or Outlook calendar
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Recording Rules" stepNumber={2}>
    Set up rules in Settings > Organization > Bot Recording Rules to control which meetings to record:

    * Filter by attendee email
    * Filter by event title
    * Filter by event description
  </Step>

  <Step title="Automatic Recording" stepNumber={3}>
    BuildBetter bot automatically joins scheduled meetings that match your rules

    * Appears in upcoming calls list on Home page
    * Recording starts when meeting begins
    * Transcript and summary generated after meeting ends
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Supported Platforms

* **Zoom**: Full support via Zoom integration
* **Google Meet**: Via Google Calendar integration
* **Microsoft Teams**: Via Outlook/Teams integration
* **Webex**: Via Webex integration

<Tip>
  Set up recording rules to automatically record all customer-facing meetings while excluding internal standups. This ensures you capture valuable insights without noise.
</Tip>

## 2. Manual Join

Record meetings on-demand by pasting a meeting link.

### How It Works

<Steps>
  <Step title="Get Meeting Link" stepNumber={1}>
    Copy the meeting URL from your calendar invite or meeting platform
  </Step>

  <Step title="Join Meeting" stepNumber={2}>
    In BuildBetter:

    * Click "Record" or "Upload" button
    * Select "Join Call"
    * Paste the meeting URL
    * Configure recording settings
    * Click "Join Meeting"
  </Step>

  <Step title="Bot Joins" stepNumber={3}>
    BuildBetter bot joins the meeting as a participant

    * Recording starts automatically
    * Transcript generated in real-time
    * Summary created after meeting ends
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  The bot appears as "BuildBetter" or your configured bot name in the participant list. Ensure meeting participants are aware of recording.
</Note>

## 3. Upload Recordings

Import existing recordings or files for analysis.

### Supported File Types

**Audio Files**:

* MP3, WAV, M4A, FLAC, OGG

**Video Files**:

* MP4, MOV, AVI, MKV, WebM

**Transcript Files**:

* TXT, VTT, SRT, JSON (with transcript format)

### Upload Process

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access Upload" stepNumber={1}>
    Click "Upload" button in Recordings section or Home page
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select File" stepNumber={2}>
    * Drag and drop file into upload area
    * Or click to browse and select file
    * File size limit: 5GB per file
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add Details" stepNumber={3}>
    * Recording title
    * Date/time of recording
    * Participants (optional)
    * Tags (optional)
    * Privacy settings
  </Step>

  <Step title="Process" stepNumber={4}>
    BuildBetter processes the file:

    * Generates transcript (for audio/video)
    * Creates AI summary
    * Extracts signals
    * Makes searchable
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  Processing time varies by file size: 10-30 minutes for hour-long recordings. You can navigate away - processing continues in background.
</Warning>

### Desktop App: Record Locally

If you have the BuildBetter desktop app installed:

* Click "Record Locally" to record your computer audio
* Captures system audio and microphone
* Saves directly to BuildBetter
* No bot participant needed

<Note>
  "Record Locally" is only available in the desktop app, not the web version.
</Note>

## Supported Meeting Platforms

BuildBetter's bot can join and record:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Zoom" icon="video">
    Full integration with calendar sync and manual join
  </Card>

  <Card title="Google Meet" icon="video">
    Via Google Calendar integration
  </Card>

  <Card title="Microsoft Teams" icon="video">
    Via Outlook/Teams integration
  </Card>

  <Card title="Webex" icon="video">
    Via Webex integration
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Recording Setup Checklist

<Check>
  **Connect your calendar** (Google or Outlook) for automatic recording
</Check>

<Check>
  **Set up recording rules** to control which meetings to record
</Check>

<Check>
  **Test with a sample meeting** before important calls
</Check>

<Check>
  **Configure privacy settings** (Workspace or Participants only)
</Check>

<Check>
  **Notify meeting participants** about recording for compliance
</Check>

## Best Practices

### For Calendar Integration

* Set specific rules to avoid recording unnecessary meetings
* Use attendee email filters for customer-facing calls only
* Review upcoming calls list to verify correct meetings are queued

### For Manual Join

* Have meeting link ready before the meeting starts
* Join a few minutes early to ensure bot is present
* Verify bot appears in participant list

### For Uploads

* Use high-quality audio files for best transcription
* Include speaker names in metadata for better insights
* Batch upload multiple files for efficiency

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Bot Not Joining Meetings">
    * Verify calendar is connected in Settings > Integrations
    * Check recording rules match meeting criteria
    * Ensure meeting link is valid and accessible
    * Confirm bot isn't blocked by waiting room
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Upload Fails">
    * Check file size is under 5GB
    * Verify file format is supported
    * Ensure stable internet connection
    * Try a smaller file first to test
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Poor Transcription Quality">
    * Use high-quality audio sources
    * Ensure minimal background noise
    * Check speaker labels are assigned correctly
    * Verify audio is clear and audible
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Info>
  For compliance and legal requirements, see our [Compliance Guide](/pages/Compliance/overview) to ensure proper recording consent and data handling.
</Info>