> ## 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.
# Local Recorder Overview
> Privacy-first meeting recording, dictation, and screen recording for macOS
**Beta Software** - The BuildBetter Local Recorder is currently in beta. We're actively improving it based on user feedback. Use the chat widget in the bottom-right corner to report issues or request features.
Get the latest version for Mac
Join the TestFlight beta
# BuildBetter Local Recorder
The BuildBetter Local Recorder is a **privacy-first desktop application** for macOS that combines three tools in one app — a no-bot meeting recorder, a global dictation tool, and a native screen recorder. It works locally by default, with optional BuildBetter cloud features for team search, cloud playback, and shared workflows.
All processing happens on your Mac. Your audio never leaves your computer unless you opt in.
No cloud uploads, no telemetry, no account required.
Full-featured with no subscription or payment needed.
## Three Products in One App
No-bot, system-audio meeting capture with live transcription, templated summaries, Catch-me-up, and AI chat with your recordings.
Global hotkey-driven voice-to-text that works in any app, with cleanup, a snippets library, and multilingual support.
Native ScreenCaptureKit video with system audio, saved alongside meetings and dictation in one library.
## Key Features
Automatically detects when you join meetings on Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Slack Huddles, Discord, Webex, and more. Prompts you to record — or auto-starts on high-confidence matches.
Real-time speech-to-text with color-coded speaker identification. Click any line in the transcript to jump to that moment, or relabel speakers after the fact.
Built-in summary templates (discovery calls, 1:1s, standups) plus custom templates. Ask for a 3-bullet summary of the last 5 minutes mid-call when you step away or join late.
Choose different providers for transcription, chat, and cleanup — locally with Apple Intelligence, Whisper, Parakeet, Ollama, or LM Studio, or via BYO keys for OpenAI, Anthropic, Groq, or Deepgram.
Ask questions about any recording — summaries, action items, decisions, quotes — grounded in the transcript.
Press a hotkey anywhere on your Mac and speak. Cleaned-up text lands at your cursor in any app. Save reusable snippets, retry failed dictation when audio was captured, and apply custom cleanup instructions per context.
ScreenCaptureKit-powered screen recording with hardware-encoded video and speaker audio included. Saved to your library with your meetings and dictation.
First-run setup walks through goals, permissions, transcription choices, appearance, and a final review step. Global search and Settings search help you jump back to recordings, snippets, notes, transcripts, and preferences later.
Dedicated pages for call recordings, screen recordings, snippets, favorites, folders, and archive include list/table views, filters, sorting, bulk actions, media badges, and a persistent playback bar.
Take timestamped rough notes during recordings; the app combines them with the transcript afterward into a clean Markdown summary.
Optionally connect to BuildBetter for team-wide search, shared summaries, role-based access, and Slack / Linear / Notion integrations. SOC 2 Type II and HIPAA-ready.
## System Requirements
macOS 12 (Monterey) or later. macOS 14 (Sonoma) required for screen recording. macOS 26+ required for Apple Intelligence.
Apple Silicon (M-series) recommended for best AI performance
\~2GB for app + AI models
8GB minimum, 16GB recommended for AI features
### Other Platforms
* **iOS** — beta available via TestFlight with on-device transcription, local AI chat, phone call capture, and Plaud device import.
* **Android** — coming soon (waitlist).
### Plaud on iPhone
The iOS beta can connect to a Plaud recorder so you can browse device files, import audio into your BuildBetter recordings library, and manage the connection from the iPhone app.
* Import over standard transfer or Wi-Fi when available
* Use automatic workspace selection when you are signed in to BuildBetter
* See Plaud-origin labels and accurate recording timestamps after import
* Keep long Wi-Fi transfers running as long as the device is making progress
* Reset or disable the Plaud connection from iOS settings when you switch devices or workspaces
## How It Works
```mermaid theme={null}
flowchart LR
A[Microphone] --> B[Local Recorder]
C[System Audio] --> B
B --> D[Selected transcription engine]
D --> E[Live Transcript]
B --> F[Local Storage]
E --> G[Selected AI engine]
G --> H[AI Chat & Summaries]
```
1. **Capture** - Records both your microphone and system audio (what others say on calls)
2. **Transcribe** - Your selected local or cloud transcription engine converts speech to text
3. **Store** - Everything saved locally in your Documents folder
4. **Analyze** - Ask the selected AI engine questions about your recordings
## Privacy Commitment
Your data stays on your device. We don't collect telemetry, require sign-in, or upload anything to servers. The only exception is if you explicitly choose to sync with BuildBetter cloud services.
| What We Don't Do | What You Control |
| --------------------- | ------------------------- |
| No audio uploads | Choose what to record |
| No transcript uploads | Delete recordings anytime |
| No usage tracking | Optional cloud sync |
| No account required | Export your data freely |
## Next Steps
Download, install, and set up the recorder
Learn about all the features in detail
Customize the app to your preferences
Common issues and how to fix them