> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.screendesk.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.screendesk.io/bug-reports/capturing-a-bug-report/instant-replay/your-data-and-instant-replay.md).

# Your data & Instant Replay

Instant Replay helps you capture “what just happened” without recording video.

It replays the page by saving lightweight snapshots of the web page’s structure.

### How Instant Replay works

Screendesk periodically snapshots the DOM (the page structure) in your **active tab**.

When you create a report, Screendesk re-renders those snapshots as a replay.

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

### What gets captured

Instant Replay can capture:

* **HTML structure:** elements like text, buttons, and inputs
* **CSS styles:** layout and styling changes
* **Visual page changes:** state changes as you click and navigate

### What does not get captured

Instant Replay does not capture:

* Your desktop, other apps, or the rest of your screen
* Other tabs or windows
* Audio or camera input
* Raw keystrokes

Sensitive fields (like passwords) are masked.

### Privacy and storage

Instant Replay is designed to keep data on your machine by default:

* Snapshots are stored **locally** in a rolling buffer.
* Old data is continuously overwritten (about a **2-minute** window).
* Nothing uploads until you explicitly save a capture.

### When data uploads

Data uploads only after you choose to create/share a report.

Until then, the replay buffer stays on your device.

### Why use Instant Replay

Use Instant Replay when bugs are hard to catch in real time.

It’s lightweight because it avoids video encoding and large files.

### Turn Instant Replay off

<figure><img src="/files/M6kPozg6mq5sduMJl7Rd" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Open Screendesk

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

{% step %}

### Open settings

Click **Settings** (gear icon).
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Disable Instant Replay

Turn off **Enable Instant Replay**.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

### Disable Instant Replay on specific sites

<figure><img src="/files/0RqiZct2Z6vvm9WfICFO" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Use [Website management](/bug-reports/settings/website-management.md) to block sensitive domains.

Screendesk will automatically skip Instant Replay on blocked sites.


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