screenpipe

What it does

Keeps a rolling local recording of what is on your screen and what is said, then lets you search it in plain language - useful when you remember seeing something but not where. Everything stays on your machine, and there is a desktop app so no command line is needed to get started. Be aware that continuous capture also records password prompts and anyone else on a call, that consent is needed before recording colleagues, and that the licence changed in June 2026 from open source to a source-available licence with usage conditions.

Summary based on the project's own description. The Japanese page has a fuller beginner guide: setup difficulty, what to prepare, and a step-by-step start.

Screenshots & visuals

Before you start

• Setup difficultyEasy to start
• Command lineNot required
• API keyRequired
• Sends data onlineNo

Judged automatically from the project's own metadata. Always confirm on the official page.

screenpipe FAQ

Is screenpipe free?

screenpipe itself is free, but it needs an API key for an external AI service. That service charges separately, though some have a free tier.

Do I need to install anything or write code to use screenpipe?

You install it like a normal desktop app. No command line involved.

Does screenpipe work on a phone?

No. It needs a computer.

Can I use screenpipe commercially?

The licence is MIT, which permits commercial use. Conditions such as keeping the copyright notice still apply, so read the licence text before shipping it inside something.

How it compares

The conditions that decide whether you can actually use it, side by side.

"Sends data out" means your input is uploaded to someone's server. Pick "No" when the material cannot leave your organisation.

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