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Guide · Open source

How to use Kap: record part of your Mac screen from the menu bar

Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

Kap is an open-source screen recorder for macOS, built with web technology and released under the MIT license. It is controlled from the menu bar, so you can start a recording without opening a larger app. This guide shows you how to install it, record a portion of your screen, and use the pause and stop controls.

Kapwulkano/Kap · ★ 19.4k · MIT

Quick start

  1. 1Install Kap. Download the Apple silicon or Intel build, or run brew install --cask kap with Homebrew.
  2. 2Open the menu bar icon. Click the Kap icon in the menu bar to bring up the screen recorder.
  3. 3Select the area. Choose the portion of the screen you want to capture.
  4. 4Start recording. Press the record button.
  5. 5Pause if needed. Option-click the menu bar icon to pause during a recording.
  6. 6Stop recording. Click the menu bar icon again to stop.

Install Kap on your Mac

The README lists macOS as the platform. You can download the latest release for Apple silicon or Intel from the Kap website, or install it with Homebrew-Cask.

If you use Homebrew, run the command below in Terminal.

  • Download: choose the Apple silicon or Intel build from getkap.co.
  • Homebrew: install the cask with the command shown here.
brew install --cask kap

Start a recording from the menu bar

Click the Kap icon in the menu bar to bring up the screen recorder. Then select the portion of the screen you want to capture.

When the area is set, press the record button to start recording.

  • Click the menu bar icon to open the recorder.
  • Select the part of the screen to capture.
  • Press record.

Stop, pause and control a recording

To stop a recording, click the menu bar icon again. While recording, the README says you can Option-click the menu bar icon to pause, or right-click it for more options.

  • Stop: click the menu bar icon.
  • Pause: Option-click the menu bar icon while recording.
  • More options: right-click the menu bar icon while recording.

Extend Kap with plugins or run a dev build

If you are a developer, the README links a plugin guide in the docs folder. It also offers dev builds of main or other branches, and states that these builds are unsupported and may have issues.

Use the stable release for everyday recording.

  • Plugins: read the plugins docs linked in the README.
  • Contributing: read the contribution guide linked in the README.
  • Dev builds: unsupported and may have issues.

What people use it for

  • Recording a small part of a Mac screen to show a single app window or area.
  • Making quick screen captures from the menu bar without a full editing suite.
  • Studying or modifying an open-source screen recorder written in TypeScript.
  • Building plugins for Kap using the plugin guide in the README.

Frequently asked questions

Is Kap free?

Kap is open source under the MIT license, as stated in the project's license information. The README does not list any prices.

What do I need to run Kap?

The README lists macOS as the prerequisite and references only macOS. Kap is not described for Windows or Linux.

How do I install Kap?

Download the Apple silicon or Intel release from getkap.co, or run brew install --cask kap with Homebrew-Cask.

How do I pause a recording in Kap?

While recording, Option-click the menu bar icon to pause. Right-click the icon for more options.

Can Kap edit my videos?

The README describes only recording. It does not mention editing features, so do not expect a full video editor.

Is Kap available for Windows or Linux?

The README and topics only reference macOS, so this guide does not claim support for other systems.

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Our verdict

Kap suits Mac users who want to record part of their screen quickly from the menu bar, and developers who want an open-source recorder they can inspect or extend with plugins. If you need Windows or Linux support, or a full video editor, pick another tool.

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