Recording Local Files

Birdie can record pages opened directly from your computer (file:// URLs).

For local HTML files - an exported report, a repro page, a local build - you get the full capture: video, console logs, network requests, and repro steps. PDFs and images opened in Chrome can be recorded on video too; console and network logs don't apply to those files, and drawing is available on images but not inside Chrome's PDF viewer.

Enable file access (one-time setup)

1. Open chrome://extensions and find Birdie, or right-click the Birdie icon → Manage extension.

2. Turn on Allow access to file URLs. Chrome reloads the extension automatically.

3. Open your local file and record as usual.

If you open a local file before enabling this, the Birdie popup will tell you and link you straight to the right settings page.

What gets captured on local files Console output (including errors and unhandled exceptions), network requests the page makes to http(s) endpoints, clicks and navigation steps, and the recording video - same as any website. Requires Birdie extension 0.7.57 or later.