Session Recording
Built-in session recording. Every keystroke, every output, millisecond timestamps. No extra tools.
Questions this answers
- How do I record a terminal session with timestamps?
- Is there a terminal with built-in session recording?
- How to record terminal for demo or tutorial without asciinema?
- Can I replay a terminal session exactly as it happened?
- What is the best way to record terminal output for documentation?
How it works
Chau7 captures every byte of terminal output along with a millisecond-precision timestamp as it arrives from the shell process. This creates a complete, time-accurate record of the session: not a screen recording or a text dump, but a faithful reproduction of every escape sequence, color change, cursor movement, and character that appeared in the terminal.
Recordings are stored efficiently as timestamped event streams. Because they capture the raw terminal protocol rather than rendered pixels, a multi-hour session typically compresses to a few megabytes. The recordings can be replayed in Chau7's timeline scrubber at original speed, fast-forwarded through idle periods, or scrubbed to any point to inspect the terminal state at that exact moment.
Recording is integrated directly into the terminal: there is no separate tool to install, no wrapper script to remember, and no compatibility issues with your shell or the programs you run. Every session can be recorded, and recordings start and stop without interrupting your workflow.
Why it matters
Terminal session recording has been a third-party bolt-on for decades. Tools like asciinema and script work, but they require setup, generate separate files, and live outside the terminal's awareness. Chau7 records sessions as a native feature with millisecond-precise timestamps, integrated with the telemetry system, and accessible through the MCP server. The recording happens on its own.
Frequently asked questions
How much storage do session recordings use?
Recordings capture raw terminal bytes, not pixels, so they are extremely compact. A typical hour-long session produces a few megabytes. Idle time (no output) adds almost no storage because only output events are recorded.
Can I export recordings to share with others?
Recordings can be replayed in Chau7's timeline scrubber. The recording format captures the full terminal protocol, preserving colors, formatting, and cursor positioning exactly as they appeared.
Does recording affect terminal performance?
No measurable impact. Recording adds a timestamp and write to a buffer for each output event: operations that take microseconds. The terminal remains fully responsive during recording.