Install and permissions
Install DemoTake Agent from demotake.my, then allow Screen Recording so DemoTake can see the window you want to demo. Microphone, Camera and Accessibility are optional, and DemoTake walks you through each one.
System requirements
- macOS 15 Sequoia or later.
- A Mac with Apple silicon or Intel.
- To record iOS apps on a simulator device: Xcode with the iOS Simulator (DemoTake Agent only; see iOS Simulator).
You don't need an account to record, edit or export. DemoTake Web runs in a current desktop browser instead. Every signed-in account gets one free take there, and more takes need a subscription; see Web Recorder.
Install DemoTake
There are two Mac editions. Both record, edit and export the same way. The difference is whether your agent can operate other apps; Editions and plans compares them.
DemoTake Agent is the direct download. It is signed with a Developer ID and notarized by Apple.
Go to Download and get the DemoTake Agent disk image.
Open the disk image and drag DemoTake onto the Applications folder next to it. Then open DemoTake from Applications.
The first launch shows a short setup. It asks for Screen Recording, offers the optional permissions, and helps you connect your agent. You can press Skip Setup and come back later with Settings › General › Show Onboarding Again.
The free trial of DemoTake Agent starts at first launch and lasts 3 days. Exports made during the trial carry a "Made with DemoTake" watermark.
DemoTake Studio is coming to the Mac App Store. It installs and updates through the App Store, runs in the App Sandbox, and doesn't operate other apps. Its trial starts when you take the free "3-day Trial" in-app purchase. See The Mac App Store edition.
You can install both editions side by side. They share the library in ~/Movies/DemoTake, but macOS treats them as two apps, so each one asks for its own permissions.
The permissions
| Permission | Needed for | Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Recording | Capturing the window you choose, the live preview and window thumbnails | Yes, to record windows |
| Microphone | Narrating while you record | Optional |
| Camera | A presenter camera | Optional |
| Accessibility | Letting your agent read and operate apps by name (DemoTake Agent) | Optional |
Screen Recording (required)
DemoTake uses Screen Recording to capture the one window you choose. The rest of your screen never ends up in a take, and recordings are saved on your Mac. macOS lists it as Screen & System Audio Recording.
Switch on DemoTake. DemoTake notices the change by itself.
iOS Simulator devices are recorded straight from the device screen, so they don't need Screen Recording.
If Screen Recording is off when you open a take, the Record screen says Screen Recording is off and shows Grant Screen Recording… where Record would be.
Microphone (optional)
Add your voice to a take. DemoTake listens only while you are recording with the microphone turned on. After allowing it, turn on Record microphone in Settings › Capture. The audio is saved inside the take.
Camera (optional)
Settings lists Camera for a presenter camera. Nothing else in DemoTake needs it, and recording works without it.
Accessibility (optional, DemoTake Agent)
With Accessibility, your agent can press buttons and type in the app it records, by name instead of screen position. DemoTake acts in an app only when your agent asks, and every click and keystroke appears in the take's event stream. Without it, you (or your agent's own computer-use tools) drive the app, and DemoTake records.
DemoTake Studio doesn't operate apps, so it never asks for Accessibility. Its Settings row says Not in this edition.
How DemoTake guides you
You never have to find the right System Settings pane yourself.
When a permission is needed, DemoTake explains why and shows one button, like Allow Screen Recording. The first time, macOS shows its own prompt. After that, DemoTake opens System Settings › Privacy & Security at the right pane.
A small guide floats next to System Settings. Find DemoTake in the list and switch it on. If DemoTake is missing from the list, drag the icon from the guide into it.
DemoTake shows Waiting for System Settings… and checks every second. The moment the switch flips, it says so and brings itself back to the front. Press Show Me Again if you closed System Settings too early.
Sometimes macOS only applies Screen Recording after the app reopens. DemoTake detects that and shows One more step with Relaunch DemoTake. It reopens on the same screen you were on.
Check permissions in Settings
Open Settings › Privacy. The Permissions section shows each permission with its live state, and updates on its own while it is open.
Screen Recording is required. The others are optional. Changes here update live.
Granted permissions show Allowed and a Manage… button that opens System Settings. If Screen Recording is on but macOS still needs a relaunch, the row says Reopen DemoTake to finish with a Relaunch button.
When your agent needs a permission
Agents can check and request permissions over MCP:
permissions_statusreturns the state of Screen Recording, Accessibility, Microphone and Camera, plus the edition and whether UI control is available.permissions_requestwith{"permission": "screen_recording"}(oraccessibility,microphone,camera) shows the macOS prompt or opens System Settings. You still approve it yourself.
When an agent's tool call hits a missing permission, DemoTake brings its permission window forward, without stealing focus from your terminal, and names what happened, for example "Claude Code asked DemoTake to start recording, which needs Screen Recording." The agent is told that DemoTake is showing you how to turn it on, so it can wait instead of retrying blindly.
$ permissions_status Missing: Screen Recording (required to record). Ask the user to grant them in System Settings › Privacy & Security. $ permissions_request {"permission": "screen_recording"} Screen Recording isn't granted yet. Ask the user to approve it in System Settings › Privacy & Security. $ permissions_status ✓ All required permissions granted.
Next
- Record your first take
- Connect your agent
- Troubleshooting if a window won't record