New Recording
How to start a new screen recording with ScreenKite.
The Recording Hub
Click the ScreenKite icon in your menu bar (or use a keyboard shortcut) to open the Recording Hub. This is your central control panel for configuring and starting recordings. From the Recording Hub you can select:
- Recording source — Display, Window, Area, or Device
- Audio — System audio and/or microphone
- Camera — Enable webcam overlay
Recording Sources
ScreenKite supports six recording types:
| Source | Description |
|---|---|
| Display | Record your entire screen |
| Window | Record a specific application window |
| Area | Record a custom rectangular region |
| System Audio | Audio-only recording (no video) |
| iOS Device | Record a connected iPhone or iPad via USB |
| Camera | Webcam-only recording |
Select your source from the Recording Hub buttons (Display, Window, Area, Screenshot, Device), then click Record to start.
Quick Start via Keyboard Shortcuts
For the fastest workflow, use keyboard shortcuts to start recording without opening the Recording Hub:
- Record Current Screen — captures the display under your cursor immediately
- Record Topmost Window — captures the frontmost application window
- Select Area to Record — shows the area selection overlay
These shortcuts can be configured in Settings → Shortcuts.
Continue Recording
Forgot to capture one more step? You do not need to start a brand new recording. Continue Recording lets you add a fresh take straight into the project you already have open. The new footage lands on the same timeline, ready to edit alongside your earlier takes.
Countdown Timer
ScreenKite shows a full-screen countdown overlay before recording begins, giving you time to prepare. The countdown displays:
- A large animated number with a circular progress indicator
- A "Recording starts in" header
- A Cancel button (or press Escape to cancel)
Recording Crash Recovery
If ScreenKite unexpectedly quits during a recording, your footage is automatically saved and recoverable. The next time you open the app, it offers to restore the interrupted recording so you do not lose your work.
Bluetooth Microphone Warning
If ScreenKite detects that you are about to record through a narrowband Bluetooth microphone (which may produce lower audio quality), it shows a warning before the recording starts. You can choose to continue or switch to a different microphone.
Low Disk Space Warning
ScreenKite warns you before starting a recording if your disk is running low on space, and again while saving projects. This helps prevent recordings from being cut short or save operations from failing.