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

# Bloom

> Open-source, local-first screen recorder with AI processing - record, upload to VideoDB, and query with natural language

<iframe className="w-full aspect-video rounded-xl" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RjIYRNRTlx4" title="Bloom - Local-First Screen Recorder" allow="accelerometer; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowFullScreen />

<Card title="Bloom on GitHub" icon="github" href="https://github.com/video-db/bloom">
  Complete source code, installation guide, and configuration
</Card>

## What Is It?

Your local-first screen recorder, built for AI workflows.

Bloom records on your machine (no lock-in), automatically uploads to VideoDB for transcription and indexing, then lets you search any moment with natural language. It's Loom meets agent-ready infrastructure.

<Tip>
  **The Power**: Your recordings become queryable data. Search "when did I mention the deadline?" or "show me the deployment steps" — get timestamped clips with context.
</Tip>

## When to Use Bloom

Bloom shines in scenarios where you need recordings to become searchable data:

* **Sales demos**: Record product demos once, search forever. "Show me when we explained the pricing model to enterprise clients last month."
* **Bug reproduction**: Capture exact steps that trigger issues, then let teammates search "when did the error first appear?"
* **Tutorial learning**: Following along with video courses? Record your implementation so AI assistants can reference both the tutorial and your work.
* **Async team updates**: Record your screen while explaining complex work. Teammates can search the recording instead of watching the whole thing.
* **Personal knowledge base**: Capture important calls and workshops. Search months later when you need to remember "what did we decide about the API design?"

## Why You Need This

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Local-First" icon="hard-drive">
    ### No Lock-In

    Your files stay on your machine:

    * Record locally, no forced cloud upload
    * Pay only for AI processing (when you need it)
    * Export and own your recordings
    * No subscription, no storage limits
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="AI-Ready" icon="brain">
    ### Make Recordings Searchable

    Transform video into queryable data:

    * Automatic transcription of spoken words
    * Visual embeddings for scene understanding
    * Metadata extraction from content
    * Natural language search across all recordings
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Agent Integration" icon="bot">
    ### Built for Agents

    Access recordings from AI workflows:

    * Query via VideoDB API
    * Compatible with Claude Code and agent frameworks
    * Structured data output for automation
    * Shareable links for team access
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## How It Works

<Steps>
  <Step title="Record Locally">
    Capture screen, microphone, system audio, and camera with a floating control bar. Multi-monitor support lets you choose which display to record.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Upload to VideoDB (Optional but Powerful)">
    As you record, Bloom can sync chunks to VideoDB Cloud in real-time. Why? Processing video on your local machine would drain battery and CPU. By streaming to VideoDB, the heavy lifting—transcription, visual indexing, embedding generation—happens server-side while you keep working. You keep the local file, VideoDB keeps the intelligence.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Process with AI">
    VideoDB indexes spoken words, generates transcripts, and creates subtitled streams. Visual embeddings make every frame searchable.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Query Anywhere">
    Search your recordings with natural language. "Show me when I explained the architecture" returns timestamped clips with full context.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Share or Integrate">
    One-click shareable links, VideoDB Chat for questions, or API access for agent frameworks. Download MP4 files anytime.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Key Features

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Recording & Capture" icon="mic">
    **Complete Desktop Capture**

    * Screen recording with multi-monitor support
    * Microphone and system audio capture
    * Draggable camera bubble overlay
    * Display picker to choose which screen
    * Global keyboard shortcut: `Cmd+Shift+R`
    * Always-on-top floating control bar
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Library Management" icon="folder">
    **Organize Your Recordings**

    * Browse all recordings with search
    * Sort by date (newest/oldest)
    * Rename recordings in-place
    * Delete with confirmation
    * Download recordings as MP4
    * Keyboard navigation (arrow keys, delete key)
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="AI Processing" icon="sparkles">
    **Automatic Intelligence**

    * Transcription of spoken words via VideoDB
    * Subtitle generation for video playback
    * HLS streaming with in-app player
    * Visual indexing for scene search
    * Metadata extraction from content
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Sharing & Integration" icon="share">
    **Connect with Workflows**

    * One-click shareable links for any recording
    * VideoDB Chat to query recordings with AI
    * Download MP4 files for offline use
    * API access for agent frameworks
    * Integration with Claude Code and other tools
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Developer Experience" icon="code">
    **Open Source & Customizable**

    * Full UI source code available (MIT license)
    * System tray integration with status indicator
    * Light/dark theme support
    * Permission management for mic, screen, camera
    * Local SQLite database for metadata
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Tech Stack

Built for performance and reliability:

<Columns cols={2}>
  <Card title="Electron 39.7" icon="app-window">
    Desktop application shell
  </Card>

  <Card title="Node.js 18+" icon="js">
    JavaScript runtime
  </Card>

  <Card title="VideoDB SDK 0.2.4" icon="zap">
    Recording and AI processing
  </Card>

  <Card title="SQLite (sql.js)" icon="database">
    Local metadata storage
  </Card>

  <Card title="HLS.js" icon="play">
    In-app video playback
  </Card>

  <Card title="Universal Binary" icon="laptop">
    Apple Silicon + Intel support
  </Card>
</Columns>

## Getting Started

<Info>
  **Prerequisites**

  * macOS 12+ or Windows 10+ (Linux support coming soon)
  * [VideoDB API key](https://console.videodb.io) (free tier available)
</Info>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Install Bloom">
    **Automated installation** (recommended):

    ```bash theme={null}
    curl -fsSL https://artifacts.videodb.io/bloom/install | bash
    ```

    **Manual installation:**

    * **Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4)**: [bloom-2.2.0-arm64.dmg](https://artifacts.videodb.io/bloom/bloom-2.2.0-arm64.dmg)
    * **Apple Intel**: [bloom-2.2.0-x64.dmg](https://artifacts.videodb.io/bloom/bloom-2.2.0-x64.dmg)
    * **Windows**: [bloom-2.2.0-x64.exe](https://artifacts.videodb.io/bloom/bloom-2.2.0-x64.exe)

    For manual install: mount the DMG and drag Bloom to Applications, then run:

    ```bash theme={null}
    xattr -cr /Applications/Bloom.app
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Launch and Register">
    1. Launch Bloom from Applications or Spotlight
    2. Enter your VideoDB API key ([get one free](https://console.videodb.io))
    3. Grant system permissions when prompted
  </Step>

  <Step title="Grant Permissions">
    Bloom needs access to:

    * **Microphone** - For voice recording
    * **Screen Recording** - For screen capture
    * **Camera** (optional) - For camera bubble overlay

    Grant these in **System Settings > Privacy & Security**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start Recording">
    1. Press `Cmd+Shift+R` or click the Bloom icon in system tray
    2. Choose your display from the picker
    3. Toggle camera, mic, and system audio as needed
    4. Click **Start Recording**
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  **macOS Permissions Required**

  Grant in **System Settings > Privacy & Security**:

  * Microphone (for voice recording)
  * Screen Recording (for screen capture)
  * Camera (for camera overlay, optional)
</Warning>

## Configuration

All features are configurable through the Bloom interface:

| Feature           | Customizable                                             |
| ----------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- |
| Recording sources | Enable/disable mic, system audio, camera                 |
| Display selection | Choose which screen to record                            |
| Camera position   | Drag camera bubble anywhere on screen                    |
| Keyboard shortcut | Default: `Cmd+Shift+R`                                   |
| Theme             | Light or dark mode                                       |
| Storage location  | Local database at `~/Library/Application Support/bloom/` |

## Privacy & Data

<Check>**Local Recording** - Files saved on your machine first, cloud upload is optional</Check>
<Check>**No Lock-In** - Download recordings anytime, export as MP4</Check>
<Check>**Encrypted Storage** - API keys encrypted, credentials protected</Check>
<Check>**User Control** - Delete recordings locally and from cloud independently</Check>

***

<Card title="Complete Setup Guide on GitHub" icon="github" href="https://github.com/video-db/bloom">
  Detailed installation instructions, troubleshooting guide, and development setup
</Card>

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