Recording your screen while typing is essential for creating tutorials, demonstrating software, or documenting workflows. This guide shows you how to effectively capture both your screen and typing activities on Mac, including displaying keystrokes for educational content.
Basic Screen Recording While Typing
Start screen recording with Command + Shift + 5. Select your recording area and begin recording. Type normally - all screen changes are captured. Your typing appears in real-time within applications. Audio recording captures keyboard sounds if microphone is enabled. Perfect for showing form filling or document creation.
Showing Keyboard Input Visually
Use Keystroke Pro or KeyCastr to display typed keys on screen. These tools show keyboard shortcuts as overlays. Viewers can see exact keys being pressed. Essential for teaching keyboard shortcuts. Configure position, size, and duration of keystroke display. Some tools also visualize mouse clicks.
Recording Coding and Terminal Sessions
Use larger font sizes for better readability. Consider high-contrast themes for clarity. Record at higher resolution for text sharpness. Tools like Asciinema specialize in terminal recording. VS Code and other IDEs have recording extensions. ShotVu works great for coding tutorials with clear text capture.
Accessibility Keyboard for Visual Typing
Enable Accessibility Keyboard in System Preferences. Shows on-screen keyboard that highlights pressed keys. Perfect for demonstrating special characters or key combinations. Can be resized and repositioned as needed. Works alongside physical keyboard typing. Great for educational content and accessibility.
Best Practices for Typing Recordings
Type slower than normal for viewer comprehension. Pause between important steps or commands. Use consistent typing rhythm for professional appearance. Clear typos naturally - don't stop recording. Consider scripting complex command sequences. Add captions in post-production for clarity.
Audio Considerations
Mechanical keyboards may be too loud for recordings. Consider using quieter keyboards or dampening sound. Position microphone to minimize keyboard noise. Some creators prefer silent typing with voiceover later. Balance keyboard sounds with voice narration. Use noise reduction in post if needed.