Practical overview
When it fits
Use it when you can demonstrate a repeatable task on your desktop and want to derive agent instructions or a scheduled automation from that example.
Who it is for
- People who want to convert a repeatable desktop task into instructions an AI agent can reuse.
- Agent builders who want to start from an observed workflow and refine its intent and steps.
Documented uses
- Capture clicks, app and window changes, and visited pages while performing a task.
- Optionally include spoken narration or commands and output from a session-scoped terminal.
- Generate a reusable SKILL.md procedure or an automation that runs on a schedule or trigger.
Requirements & limits
The README requires a GitHub account with Copilot access for analysis. The documented app installation builds locally from a commit-pinned release command and does not require a separate Git or Node.js installation. macOS, Windows 11 x64 or ARM64, and Ubuntu are listed in the installation instructions; macOS is the primary target.
- The analysis depends on GitHub Copilot CLI and a GitHub account with Copilot access.
- The recorded example is reconstructed as intent and ordered steps that users can review and edit.
- Generated procedures prefer agent-native tools over replaying recorded clicks.
- macOS requires Screen Recording permission before recording.
Check current requirements in the official documentation. Source-based guidance does not mean OpenViST has run or independently tested this project.
Install Skill Recorder from a pinned release command
Build and launch the desktop app using the command for your operating system on the latest release page.
Before you start
- A GitHub account with Copilot access is needed for the service's primary Analyze action.
- Use Windows 11 x64 or ARM64, macOS, or Ubuntu.
- No separate Git or Node.js installation is required for the documented release installation.
Steps
Open the latest release and find the Commit-pinned installation section for your operating system.
Copy the complete release command.
Paste it into PowerShell on Windows or Terminal on macOS or Ubuntu, then press Enter.
Keep the terminal open while the installer downloads requirements, builds the app, creates shortcuts, and launches it.
Expected outcome
The Skill Recorder (Source) desktop app is built locally and launched; it can be opened again from the created app entry.
Guide limitations
- Installation remains subject to organizational policies.
- The README identifies macOS as the primary target; Windows 11 is supported, and the installation instructions also list Ubuntu.
Record and analyze a desktop task
Capture a real task and review Copilot's reconstructed intent and ordered steps.
Before you start
- Install and launch Skill Recorder.
- Have a GitHub account with Copilot access.
- On first launch on macOS, grant Screen Recording permission.
Steps
Start recording and perform the task; optionally use narration or the session-scoped terminal.
Finish the recording and choose Analyze.
If prompted, sign in to Copilot in the browser and complete authorization.
Review and edit the reconstructed intent and ordered steps.
Expected outcome
A reviewed task analysis that can be used as the basis for creating a reusable skill or automation.
Guide limitations
- Canceling sign-in or leaving the analysis prevents its automatic retry.
- The documented Windows Microsoft sign-in route involves both browser SSO and separate GitHub Copilot app authorization.
Sources & review
Source record details
- Source availability
- Active
- Sources checked
- 10 October 2026
- Original website title
- microsoft/skill-recorder · Official homepage title · retained in its source language