Open‑Source macOS Screen Recorder for Node.js

Install and start recording in seconds. One output path automatically creates synchronized screen, camera (temp_camera_<timestamp>.webm), audio (temp_audio_<timestamp>.webm), and cursor data (temp_cursor_<timestamp>.json) files.

// Installation
npm install node-mac-recorder

// Quick Start
const MacRecorder = require("node-mac-recorder");
const recorder = new MacRecorder();

// Single output records screen + camera + audio + cursor
await recorder.startRecording("./output.mov");
await new Promise(r => setTimeout(r, 5000));
const result = await recorder.stopRecording();

console.log("Screen:", result.outputPath);
console.log("Camera:", result.cameraOutputPath);
console.log("Audio:", result.audioOutputPath);

Record any display or all displays simultaneously. Perfect for multi-monitor setups with automatic coordinate mapping.

const MacRecorder = require("node-mac-recorder");
const recorder = new MacRecorder();

const displays = await recorder.getDisplays();
// Record from second display
await recorder.startRecording("./display-2.mov", {
  displayId: 1,
  quality: "high"
});

Record individual application windows with intelligent display detection. Automatically handles off-screen windows and filters system processes.

const MacRecorder = require("node-mac-recorder");
const recorder = new MacRecorder();

const windows = await recorder.getWindows();
const targetWindow = windows.find(w => w.appName === "Safari");
await recorder.startRecording("./window.mov", {
  windowId: targetWindow.id
});

Define precise rectangular regions for focused content capture. Ideal for tutorial creators and demo recordings.

const MacRecorder = require("node-mac-recorder");
const recorder = new MacRecorder();

await recorder.startRecording("./area.mov", {
  captureArea: {
    x: 200, y: 100,
    width: 1200, height: 800
  },
  quality: "medium"
});

Floating UI elements and overlay windows are automatically excluded. Build recording tools with clean, professional output.

const MacRecorder = require("node-mac-recorder");
const recorder = new MacRecorder();

// Overlay windows are automatically excluded
await recorder.startRecording("./clean.mov", {
  displayId: 0,
  quality: "high"
});
// Your floating UI won't appear in the recording

Choose frame rates (15/30/60 FPS) and quality presets. Optimized encoding with hardware acceleration for smooth recordings.

const MacRecorder = require("node-mac-recorder");
const recorder = new MacRecorder();

await recorder.startRecording("./high-quality.mov", {
  quality: "high",    // low, medium, high
  frameRate: 60,      // 15, 30, 60
  captureCursor: true
});

Generate preview thumbnails for windows and displays. Build beautiful selection UIs for your recording application.

const MacRecorder = require("node-mac-recorder");
const recorder = new MacRecorder();

const thumbnail = await recorder.getWindowThumbnail(
  windowId, 
  { maxWidth: 400, maxHeight: 300 }
);
// Returns: "data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0..."

Capture microphone and system audio independently or together. Perfect sync for tutorials, demos, and gameplay recordings with full device control.

const MacRecorder = require("node-mac-recorder");
const recorder = new MacRecorder();

await recorder.startRecording("./video.mov", {
  includeMicrophone: true,
  includeSystemAudio: true
});
// Audio saved separately as temp_audio_<timestamp>.webm

Record camera footage alongside screen capture. Separate video files with shared timestamps make post-production editing effortless.

const MacRecorder = require("node-mac-recorder");
const recorder = new MacRecorder();

recorder.setCameraEnabled(true);
await recorder.startRecording("./screen.mov");
// Camera saved as temp_camera_<timestamp>.webm

Export real-time cursor positions, types, and click events as JSON. Build custom cursor animations or analytics from your recordings.

const MacRecorder = require("node-mac-recorder");
const recorder = new MacRecorder();

await recorder.startCursorCapture("./cursor.json");
// Track mouse movements, clicks, cursor types
await recorder.stopCursorCapture();

List and select specific audio inputs and cameras. Rich device metadata lets you build sophisticated recording UIs with device previews.

const MacRecorder = require("node-mac-recorder");
const recorder = new MacRecorder();

const audioDevices = await recorder.getAudioDevices();
const cameras = await recorder.getCameraDevices();
recorder.setAudioDevice(audioDevices[0].id);

Check and request macOS permissions programmatically. Screen recording, microphone, and accessibility permissions all in one API.

const MacRecorder = require("node-mac-recorder");
const recorder = new MacRecorder();

const permissions = await recorder.checkPermissions();
// { screenRecording: true, microphone: true, 
//   accessibility: true }

Built for Electron apps with crash protection and renderer compatibility. Seamlessly integrates with native device APIs for production applications.

// In Electron main process
const MacRecorder = require("node-mac-recorder");
const recorder = new MacRecorder();
const { ipcMain } = require("electron");
ipcMain.handle("start-recording", async () => {
  return await recorder.startRecording("./video.mov");
});