How to Create Step-by-Step Tutorials with a Chrome Extension
// tl;dr
- — Use a Chrome extension to auto-record your browser actions and generate annotated step-by-step guides.
- — No manual screenshot-taking or writing required — the extension captures clicks and descriptions automatically.
- — Export as Markdown or HTML (PDF with Pro).
// why this matters
Writing step-by-step tutorials manually is slow. Taking screenshots one-by-one, numbering them, writing descriptions, assembling them into a document. A documentation Chrome extension like Procshot collapses that process: you perform the workflow once while the extension records your clicks and generates step descriptions automatically. The result is a structured, annotated guide ready to export. For teams that regularly produce tutorials — onboarding docs, SOPs, training materials, customer guides — the time savings compound across every document created.
Step-by-Step Guide
- 1
Install Procshot from the Chrome Web Store
Add Procshot to Chrome from the Chrome Web Store. It's free with no account required. Once installed, pin it to your toolbar for easy access.
tip: Pin the extension icon so it's visible in your toolbar — you'll use it to start and stop recording.
- 2
Open the page or app you want to document
Navigate to the starting point of the workflow you want to turn into a tutorial. Make sure you're at step 0 — the beginning of the process a user would follow.
- 3
Click 'Start Recording' in the Procshot popup
Open the Procshot popup from your toolbar and click 'Start Recording'. A recording indicator will appear. From this point, every click (including links to other pages) and form input is captured with a screenshot.
tip: Perform the workflow at a natural pace — no need to pause for screenshots. Procshot captures continuously.
- 4
Perform your workflow from start to finish
Complete the entire process you want to document: click buttons, fill in fields, navigate between pages. Clicking a link to another page is recorded as a step. Each click generates a screenshot with the action highlighted.
- 5
Click 'Stop Recording'
When you've completed the workflow, click 'Stop Recording' in the Procshot panel. The extension generates a draft guide with all steps, auto-generated descriptions, and screenshots.
- 6
Review and edit step descriptions
Procshot auto-generates step descriptions from DOM elements (button labels, link text, field names). Review each description and edit where the auto-generated text needs clarification. Most steps need minimal editing.
tip: Focus edits on steps where the context isn't obvious from the interface — steps that move to another page and confirmation steps often need a sentence of context.
- 7
Annotate screenshots (Pro)
With Pro, use the built-in annotation tools to add boxes, arrows, text labels, or blur effects to individual screenshots. Highlight the key element in each step to direct the reader's attention. On the free plan, each step already has an automatic box around the clicked element.
- 8
Export in your preferred format
Choose your export format: Markdown for documentation systems like GitHub or Notion, HTML for embedding on websites or help centers, or — with Pro — PDF for sharing or printing (with Japanese font support). Click Export and your guide is ready.
// use cases
Customer Support Documentation
Support teams document product workflows once and share the guide across help articles, email responses, and onboarding sequences — without maintaining separate screenshots.
Internal SOPs and Training
HR and operations teams record software processes for new hire training materials. Guides are exportable as HTML, Markdown, or PDF (Pro) and distributed immediately without additional formatting.
Developer API and Integration Guides
Developers document multi-step API configuration flows (OAuth setups, webhook configurations) by recording the process in the browser and exporting as Markdown for technical documentation.
// tips & best practices
- › Record in a clean browser session — close unrelated tabs to avoid visual noise in screenshots.
- › With Pro, use blur effects on any sensitive data (credentials, personal information) before sharing.
- › Duplicate a guide before editing — preserves the original recording in case you want to start edits again.
- › For multi-page workflows, each link you click to move to another page is recorded as a step — no need to mark it manually.
- › Export to Markdown first if you plan to paste into Notion or GitHub — Markdown preserves structure better than copy-pasting from PDF.
- › Add a numbered title to each guide on creation for easier retrieval in the Guide Management panel.
// common pitfalls
Starting the recording on the wrong page
Procshot begins capturing from the moment you click Start Recording. If you've already clicked partway through the workflow before starting, the resulting guide will be missing early steps. Always return to the starting point of the workflow before hitting record.
Skipping annotation on sensitive fields
If your workflow involves entering passwords, API keys, or personal data, those fields will be captured in screenshots. Use Procshot's blur tool (Pro) on those fields before exporting, or delete those steps. Don't share guides with unblurred sensitive data.
Exporting before reviewing auto-generated descriptions
Procshot's auto-generated step descriptions are accurate for most UI elements but may be generic for complex or custom interfaces. Review every step description before exporting — a review pass prevents distributing unclear guides.
// faq
Does Procshot record video?
No. Procshot captures individual screenshots at each click action and generates a step-by-step guide. It does not record video. This makes the output a structured document rather than a screen recording — easier to search, edit, and translate.
Can I create tutorials for desktop apps, not just browser apps?
Procshot records browser-based workflows only. It captures actions within Chrome tabs. For desktop application documentation, the recording would need to be done in a browser-accessible version of the app, or you would need a separate desktop recording tool.
How accurate are the auto-generated step descriptions?
Accuracy depends on how well-labeled the UI elements are. Apps with clear button labels (Save, Submit, Continue) generate very accurate descriptions. Apps with icon-only buttons or unlabeled inputs generate generic descriptions that need manual editing. The description reads the accessible name of the element you clicked.
Can I share a Procshot guide directly without exporting?
Procshot stores guides locally in your browser. To share, you need to export to Markdown or HTML (PDF with Pro) and then share the resulting file. There's no direct cloud share link.
How long can a recorded workflow be?
There's no hard step limit. Procshot handles multi-page workflows and long processes. For very long guides (30+ steps), consider whether the tutorial should be split into shorter sections for readability — guides that exceed 15-20 steps are often better as a series.
// related tools
Procshot — Free Chrome Extension
Auto-record browser actions to create step-by-step guides with annotated screenshots.
// related guides
How to Document Software Processes Instantly
SOPs and onboarding materials
How to Create Bug Reports with Screenshots
QA and developer workflows
How to Make Onboarding Guides for SaaS
Customer success and PM workflows
How to Export Tutorials to PDF or Markdown
Format guide for technical writers
// compare procshot