> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.scrapengine.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Start Recording

> Start server-side MP4 recording of the session's desktop.

## Overview

Starts capturing an MP4 recording of the session's virtual desktop. Only one recording can be active per session — starting again while a recording is in progress is a 409.

Download the MP4 after stopping with [`GET /browser/sessions/{id}/recording`](/api-reference/endpoint/recording-download).

## Path Parameters

<ParamField path="id" type="string" required={true}>
  Browser session ID (UUID).
</ParamField>

## Example Request

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash cURL theme={null}
  curl -X POST "https://api.scrapengine.io/api/v1/browser/sessions/baa3f390-fa6e-4a24-b84a-a575a5f3a9c7/recording/start" \
    -H "Authorization: Bearer $SCRAPENGINE_API_KEY"
  ```
</CodeGroup>

## Response

### Success Response (200)

<ResponseField name="recordingId" type="string">
  Identifier for this recording.
</ResponseField>

<ResponseField name="status" type="string">
  Recording state — `recording` when capture has begun.
</ResponseField>

**Example Response:**

```json theme={null}
{
  "recordingId": "rec-01HX3...",
  "status": "recording"
}
```

### Error Responses

| Status | Description                                          |
| ------ | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| `401`  | Unauthorized — invalid or missing API key.           |
| `404`  | Session not found or not owned by the caller.        |
| `409`  | A recording is already in progress for this session. |