> ## 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.

# Getting Started

> Download, install, and set up the BuildBetter Local Recorder

<Note>
  **Beta Software** - The BuildBetter Local Recorder is currently in beta.
</Note>

# Getting Started

Get up and running with the BuildBetter Local Recorder in just a few minutes.

## Download & Install

<Steps>
  <Step title="Download the App">
    Download the latest version of BuildBetter Local Recorder:

    <Card title="Download for macOS" icon="apple" href="https://pub-99b9237365d8414097e9a144fb78ed25.r2.dev/BuildBetter.ai.Recorder_latest.dmg">
      BuildBetter.ai Recorder (Apple Silicon)
    </Card>

    <Info>
      The app is notarized by Apple and signed with a Developer ID certificate.
    </Info>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Install the App">
    1. Open the downloaded `.dmg` file
    2. Drag **BuildBetter.ai Recorder** to your **Applications** folder
    3. Eject the DMG
    4. Open the app from Applications or Spotlight
  </Step>

  <Step title="Follow Guided Setup">
    On first launch, the setup flow asks what you want to use the recorder for — meetings, dictation, screen recording, or a mix — and then shows only the most relevant setup steps.

    You can sign in to connect a BuildBetter workspace, or continue without an account and use local recording features first. During setup, you can also test live transcription before completing setup; test audio is not saved as a normal recording.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Grant Permissions">
    macOS will ask for permissions based on the features you enable. The main permissions are:

    | Permission                   | Why It's Needed                                 |
    | ---------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------- |
    | **Microphone**               | Record your voice                               |
    | **Screen Recording**         | Capture system audio (what others say on calls) |
    | **Accessibility** (optional) | Smart meeting detection                         |
    | **Automation** (optional)    | Browser-based meeting link detection            |

    <Warning>
      If you skip permissions, you can grant them later in **System Settings → Privacy & Security**.
    </Warning>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose Transcription and AI Options">
    Setup helps you choose a transcription engine, language, dictation hotkey, AI summary behavior, and any local models you want to use.

    **Transcription**

    * Pick a local option for privacy-first use
    * Pick a cloud option when you are signed in or using a supported provider
    * Download local models during setup, or later from Settings

    **AI Chat and Cleanup**

    * Choose whether to enable summaries, chat, and dictation cleanup
    * Download local LLMs later if you want fully local AI features
    * Let the app fall back to an available local option when a cloud option is not available
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review and Finish">
    Pick how you want the recorder to appear:

    | Style            | Description                                |
    | ---------------- | ------------------------------------------ |
    | **Floating Bar** | Draggable window, place anywhere on screen |
    | **Notch Mode**   | Tucks into the MacBook notch area          |

    You can also enable **"Hide until meeting"** to keep the app hidden until a meeting is detected.

    The final review screen lets you confirm and change your main setup choices before finishing.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## First Recording

Once setup is complete, you're ready to record:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Start Recording">
    Click the **microphone button** in the floating bar, or use the keyboard shortcut.

    The button turns red when recording is active.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Watch Live Transcription">
    As you speak, the transcript appears in real-time. You can open the full transcript window for a better view.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Take Notes">
    Click the **notes icon** to open the notes panel. Your notes are timestamped and saved automatically.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Stop Recording">
    Click the microphone button again to stop. Your recording is automatically saved.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review Your Recording">
    Open the **Dashboard** (click the dock icon) to see all your recordings. Dedicated pages for Call Recordings, Screen Recordings, Snippets, Favorites, folders, and Archive make it easier to browse and filter. Click any recording to:

    * Play back the audio
    * Read the transcript
    * Review your notes
    * Chat with AI about the content
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Quick Tips

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Auto-Launch" icon="power-off">
    The app starts automatically when you log in. Disable this in Settings if you prefer.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Menu Bar Access" icon="bars">
    Right-click the menu bar icon for quick actions. Left-click shows the dropdown menu.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Dock Icon" icon="window">
    Click the dock icon to open the Dashboard with all your recordings.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Meeting Detection" icon="video">
    Enable auto-recording to automatically start when meetings are detected.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Global Search" icon="magnifying-glass">
    Use ⌘K / Ctrl+K to search recordings, notes, transcripts, snippets, and settings.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Replay Setup" icon="rotate-left">
    Rerun onboarding from Settings if you want to change your setup path later.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Where Are My Recordings?

Recordings are stored locally in your Documents folder:

```
~/Documents/BuildBetter Recordings/
├── 2024-01-15_Meeting_with_Team/
│   ├── audio.m4a
│   ├── transcript.txt
│   └── notes.md
└── ...
```

You can access recordings through:

* The **Dashboard** in the app
* Dedicated pages for call recordings, screen recordings, snippets, favorites, folders, and archive
* Finder at the path above
* Spotlight search

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Explore Features" icon="sparkles" href="/pages/Local Recorder/features">
    Learn about AI chat, meeting detection, and more
  </Card>

  <Card title="Configure Settings" icon="gear" href="/pages/Local Recorder/settings">
    Customize audio devices, themes, and behavior
  </Card>
</CardGroup>