> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.tryearmark.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Earmark toolbar

> Use the menu bar or system tray to start Quick Capture, stop recording, see upcoming meetings, and open the app without bringing the window forward

The Earmark toolbar lives in your **menu bar** on macOS or the **taskbar** on Windows. Click the Earmark icon to open it. From there you can start or stop a recording in one click, jump into your next meeting, and manage capture without bringing the main app to the front.

<Frame caption="Open the Earmark toolbar from the menu bar or taskbar">
  <div
    style={{
  width: '100%',
  borderRadius: '0.875rem',
  overflow: 'hidden',
  boxShadow: '0 24px 60px rgba(15, 23, 42, 0.28)',
}}
  >
    <video autoPlay muted loop playsInline src="https://bwopjpjsyqjaz3ty.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/toolbar/toolbar-open.mp4" title="Earmark toolbar menu opening from the system menu bar." style={{ width: '100%', display: 'block' }} />
  </div>
</Frame>

## Quick Capture

Quick Capture starts an ad-hoc recording right away, even when the conversation isn't tied to a calendar event. Use it for hallway chats, impromptu calls, brainstorms, or any moment you want captured.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the toolbar">
    Click the Earmark icon in the menu bar (macOS) or taskbar (Windows).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose Quick Capture">
    Recording starts immediately — no calendar event required.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Stop when you're done">
    Open the toolbar again and choose **Stop Capture** to end the session and save your transcript.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  **Quick Capture** is hidden from the menu while a recording is already active, so you can't accidentally start a second one. Stop the active capture first and it will reappear.
</Note>

If you're using [Temporary mode](/earmark-basics/temporary-meetings), Quick Capture opens in a separate window so it doesn't cover what you're already working on.

<Frame caption="Start a recording with Quick Capture from the toolbar">
  <div
    style={{
  width: '100%',
  borderRadius: '0.875rem',
  overflow: 'hidden',
  boxShadow: '0 24px 60px rgba(15, 23, 42, 0.28)',
}}
  >
    <video autoPlay muted loop playsInline src="https://bwopjpjsyqjaz3ty.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/toolbar/toolbar-start.mp4" title="Quick Capture started from the Earmark toolbar menu." style={{ width: '100%', display: 'block' }} />
  </div>
</Frame>

## Stop Capture

While a recording is running, **Stop Capture** appears at the top of the toolbar menu. Choose it to end the session and save your transcript. You'll see **Stopping Capture…** briefly while Earmark finalizes the recording.

## Coming up

The **Coming up** section lists today's remaining calendar events. Each entry shows the time range and meeting title, for example:

`2:00 PM – 3:00 PM • Weekly standup`

Click any meeting to **open the video link** (Google Meet, Zoom, or Microsoft Teams) **and automatically start recording** the call.

### What you'll see

| State                                      | What appears                 |
| ------------------------------------------ | ---------------------------- |
| Signed out                                 | "Sign in to view meetings"   |
| Signed in, no calendar connected           | **Connect Calendar…** button |
| Calendar connected, no meetings left today | "All done today!"            |
| Calendar connected with meetings           | List of today's events       |

If the list looks stale, choose **Refresh** at the bottom of the menu to pull the latest events from your calendar. For linking a calendar in the main app, see [Calendar](/getting-started/calendar).

## Menu bar countdown (macOS only)

On macOS, Earmark can show a **live countdown** in the menu bar so you know when the next meeting starts — or how long you have left in the current one.

| Example                     | Meaning                                       |
| --------------------------- | --------------------------------------------- |
| `Weekly standup • 12m left` | You're in a meeting with 12 minutes remaining |
| `Design review • in 30m`    | Your next meeting starts in 30 minutes        |

Toggle **Show Events in Menu Bar** in the toolbar. When it's off, you only see the Earmark icon for a cleaner menu bar.

The countdown updates at the top of each minute and re-syncs when your Mac wakes from sleep or you unlock the screen, so times stay current.

<Frame caption="Menu bar countdown for your next or current meeting on macOS">
  <div
    style={{
  width: '100%',
  borderRadius: '0.875rem',
  overflow: 'hidden',
  boxShadow: '0 24px 60px rgba(15, 23, 42, 0.28)',
}}
  >
    <video autoPlay muted loop playsInline src="https://bwopjpjsyqjaz3ty.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/toolbar/toolbar_upcoming.mp4" title="macOS menu bar showing Earmark meeting title and live countdown." style={{ width: '100%', display: 'block' }} />
  </div>
</Frame>

<Tip>
  On Windows, upcoming meetings still appear in the toolbar menu — only the inline menu bar countdown is macOS-specific, since the Windows taskbar doesn't support custom title text like the macOS menu bar.
</Tip>

## Other toolbar actions

* **Open Earmark** — Brings the main Earmark window to the front.
* **Refresh** — Reloads calendar events from your provider (for example after you accept a new invite).
* **Quit Completely** — Exits Earmark entirely. Closing only the main window leaves the toolbar running in the background.

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="I don't see the Earmark icon in my menu bar or taskbar">
    Make sure the **desktop app is running**. On macOS, the icon sits with other menu bar items at the top right — if your menu bar is crowded, widen the active window or hide other icons to make room.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Quick Capture is missing from the menu">
    Quick Capture is hidden while a recording is active. Stop the current capture first; **Quick Capture** will show again.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="The countdown shows the wrong time after I close my laptop">
    Earmark listens for sleep and screen-lock events and re-syncs the countdown automatically. If the time still looks wrong, open the toolbar and choose **Refresh**.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Clicking a Coming up meeting doesn't open the video call">
    The calendar event needs a **video conference URL** for Google Meet, Zoom, or Teams. If there's no join link on the event, clicking won't launch a call — open the event in your calendar app to find or add the URL.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I'm signed in but I see Connect Calendar…">
    Your account isn't linked to a calendar yet. Choose **Connect Calendar…** from the toolbar to connect Google Calendar or another supported provider; meetings will then show under **Coming up**.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>