Paircast is a perfect tool for recording coder behavior during a take-home interview.
Paircast records candidates’ screens, code changes, and transcribes their voice while they work. Paircast then creates a markdown file with a transcription of the video. Check out this short demo for an example.
This guide will help get started with using Paircast.
- Download the Paircast desktop software. It is available for Mac and Windows operating systems.
Download and install Paircast from here. - Then, configure Paircast to record your screen, microphone, and camera (optional).
- Next, identify the working directory where code will be written. Paircast will watch this directory and automatically commit changes to a new git branch.
- If the chosen working directory doesn’t have one already, choose a default .gitignore file.
- Finally, click the record button! The user will see a preview of their screen and camera. Paircast will start tracking changes, and you’ll receive a desktop notification when the first change happens. Changes not detected? See this article.
Now while coding, Paircast will transcribe what you say and log it to a markdown file along with any newly created code or code changes andt convert the coding session into a readme file.
When finished, click “Finish Recording.” Paircast will upload the video file, code changes, and publish the cast.
Click “Edit Cast.” This will launch a new browser window where the cast can be played back and/or edited..