# Instant Replay

Instant Replay captures “what just happened” without re-recording the bug.

It creates a replay from a short rolling buffer in your current tab.

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### What you get in an Instant Replay link

An Instant Replay can include:

* A **session replay** of the page (up to **2 minutes**)
* **Console logs**
* **Network requests**
* **User interactions** (clicks and navigation)
* Context like **URL**, **timestamp**, **device**, **OS**, **browser**, and **viewport**

{% hint style="info" %}
Instant Replay is not a screen recording. It replays HTML, not pixels.
{% endhint %}

### Create an Instant Replay

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Reproduce the issue

Keep working as usual until the bug happens.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Open Screendesk

Click the Screendesk icon in your browser toolbar.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Select Instant Replay

Choose **Instant Replay**.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Save and share

Review the replay and click **Save** to generate a share link.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

Want to trigger it faster? See [Keyboard shortcuts](https://docs.screendesk.io/bug-reports/settings/keyboard-shortcuts).

### Capture duration and limits

Instant Replay captures up to **2 minutes**.

It can be shorter when:

* The tab was just opened.
* The site is heavy and recording is reduced.

Learn more:

* [Performance](https://docs.screendesk.io/bug-reports/capturing-a-bug-report/instant-replay/performance)
* [Website management](https://docs.screendesk.io/bug-reports/settings/website-management)

### Privacy controls

You can trim the replay before sharing.

Instant Replay also masks sensitive fields (like passwords).

For details on what’s captured and stored, see [Your data & Instant Replay](https://docs.screendesk.io/bug-reports/capturing-a-bug-report/instant-replay/your-data-and-instant-replay).

### Common limitations

Instant Replay won’t capture:

* Your desktop or other apps
* Other tabs or windows
* Canvas and cross-origin iframes

For iframe/canvas behavior, see [Iframe and canvas support](https://docs.screendesk.io/bug-reports/capturing-a-bug-report/instant-replay/iframe-and-canvas-support).

If you need pixel-perfect capture, use [Video Screen Recording](https://docs.screendesk.io/bug-reports/capturing-a-bug-report/video-screen-recording).

### FAQs

<details>

<summary>How far back can Instant Replay capture?</summary>

Up to **2 minutes** of activity. It can be shorter on newly opened tabs or heavy sites.

</details>

<details>

<summary>What gets uploaded?</summary>

Nothing uploads until you click **Save**.

Until then, the replay buffer stays local in your browser.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Can I control what gets shared?</summary>

Yes. Trim the replay before sharing.

You can also disable Instant Replay entirely or block specific sites.

</details>