Streamlabs Desktop Highlighter lets you capture moments while you stream, then assemble and export them as a highlight reel. Before going live, set its hotkey and replay duration; after the stream, return to the Highlighter tab to trim and arrange clips, add transitions or music, preview the result, and export it. This guide shows how to edit stream recordings without confusing Desktop Highlighter with Streamlabs’ separate Replay app.
What Streamlabs Desktop Highlighter does
Highlighter is a workflow in Streamlabs Desktop for capturing moments during a stream and assembling saved clips into a reel afterward. Its documented editing controls include trimming, reordering, transitions, optional background music and intro or outro, plus controls to include, exclude or delete clips.
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Streamlabs also uses the name Replay for a separate app, described as “formerly Highlighter.” Replay material discusses additional capabilities, but that does not establish that every Replay feature or control is available in Streamlabs Desktop’s Highlighter tab. The steps below are specifically for Desktop Highlighter.
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Set up Highlighter before you stream
- Open Streamlabs Desktop and select Highlighter. Choose the Highlighter tab in the left panel.
- Set a capture hotkey. Choose a key combination you can press while streaming without disrupting your game or accidentally triggering another shortcut.
- Choose the replay duration. Set how much recent stream footage a hotkey capture should include. Pick a duration that gives the moment enough context without saving more footage than you need.
- Check both settings before going live. Highlighter’s documented capture workflow relies on the hotkey and duration being configured before you stream.
Capture moments during the stream
Go live in Streamlabs Desktop as usual. When something worth keeping happens, press the Highlighter hotkey you configured. Repeat for each moment you want to use in the reel. The selected replay duration determines how much recent footage each capture contains.
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Open your saved clips and build the reel
After ending the stream, return to the Highlighter tab to open the clips you captured. Review the available clips, then shape the sequence before exporting.
Arrange and select clips
- Reorder clips to create a clear progression or put the strongest moment first.
- Use the clip inclusion toggle to leave a clip out of the current reel without needing it in the final edit.
- Delete clips you do not want to keep in the project.
Trim a clip
- Hover over the clip you want to shorten.
- Choose Trim.
- Drag the clip’s edges to adjust the selected portion.
- Review the shortened section in context with the surrounding clips.
Add transitions, an intro or outro, and music
Adjust the transition type and length between clips. If the reel needs them, add an intro or outro and background music. Keep these elements in service of the footage: music should not make important game audio, commentary or dialogue hard to hear.
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Preview, export and upload
- Preview the assembled reel. Check the start and end of every clip, the transitions, the overall order, and whether the intro, outro and music work together.
- Click Export. Choose the export settings offered by Highlighter.
- Select settings for your destination. The Desktop Highlighter guide does not prescribe one universally best export preset, aspect ratio, bitrate or platform configuration. Choose settings suited to where you plan to publish rather than assuming a particular preset is required.
- Upload the downloaded reel. Once export finishes, upload the file to your chosen social channel and check its playback and presentation there.
Highlighter, Replay and Video Editor are different workflows
Use Desktop Highlighter for the capture-and-assemble process described here. Streamlabs’ Replay app is a separate product; its published material describes features such as automated recording, subtitles and horizontal or vertical export, but those should not be assumed to exist in Desktop Highlighter.
Streamlabs Video Editor is another separate option for a broader imported-media workflow. Its guide describes importing media, splitting and trimming clips on a timeline, applying filters, exporting locally, and an option to publish to YouTube drafts. It is not required to create a reel in Highlighter. Availability and paid-plan limits can change, so check Streamlabs’ current Video Editor guide for details before choosing it.
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Common problems and fixes
- A moment did not get captured: Confirm the hotkey was set in Highlighter before the stream and that you pressed that configured key during the stream. The documented workflow uses the hotkey to capture moments.
- A clip is shorter or longer than expected: Review the replay duration setting you chose before going live. It controls how much recent footage a capture includes.
- You cannot find clips in the editor: End the stream, then return to the Highlighter tab to open the saved clips.
- The reel feels abrupt or too long: Reorder clips, trim their edges, adjust transition type or length, and toggle out clips that do not belong. Preview again before exporting.
- The exported file does not suit the destination: Export settings are selectable, but the guide does not name a universal preset. Re-export with settings suited to the target channel if needed.
Copyright and reuse checks before publishing
Editing a recording does not itself grant permission to reuse the music, broadcast footage or other material in it. Before uploading, make sure you have the rights or permissions needed for the included content and that your finished video complies with the destination platform’s rules. Streamlabs provides a copyright safety checklist as a useful review aid; it is not a substitute for the platform’s policies or rights-holder permission.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Or let it run in the cloud
Highlighter edits stream recordings; it does not keep a live YouTube channel broadcasting while your computer is off. If you also want to run a 24/7 YouTube stream from uploaded videos, StreamNeo is a separate cloud service: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. Nothing has to stay on at home; uploaded video streams as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one price per slot; and the service automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly pricing is $9.99 per month. Learn more at StreamNeo, or start the free day.
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