Fullstory Capture Control API (Shutdown/Restart)

Implementation Files: This document covers core concepts. For code examples, see:

• SKILL-WEB.md — JavaScript/TypeScript (Browser)
• SKILL-MOBILE.md — iOS, Android, Flutter, React Native

Overview

Fullstory's Capture Control APIs allow developers to programmatically stop and restart session capture. This provides fine-grained control over when Fullstory records sessions, which is useful for:

• Performance Optimization: Pause capture during resource-intensive operations
• Privacy Zones: Stop capture in sensitive areas
• Resource Management: Reduce overhead when not needed
• Testing: Control capture during development/testing
• Conditional Recording: Only capture certain user journeys

Core Concepts

Shutdown vs Restart

Session Behavior

Active Session  →  shutdown()  →  Capture Stopped (session ends)
                                         ↓
                                    restart()
                                         ↓
                                  New Session Begins

Key Behaviors

API Methods by Platform

When to Use

✅ Good Use Cases

❌ Avoid Using For

Critical: Re-identification After Restart

Identity is cleared when you shutdown. After calling restart(), you must re-identify the user:

1. User is identified → FS knows who they are
2. shutdown() called → Session ends
3. restart() called → NEW session starts, user is ANONYMOUS
4. identify() called → User is known again

Common mistake: Forgetting to re-identify after restart, resulting in anonymous sessions.

Best Practices

1. Always Re-identify After Restart

Save user information before shutdown and re-identify after restart.

2. Use Consent API for Consent

Don't use shutdown/restart for consent management. Use the dedicated consent APIs.

3. Pair Shutdown with Restart

If you shutdown in one place, ensure there's a path to restart:

• Entering privacy zone → shutdown
• Leaving privacy zone → restart + re-identify

4. Debounce Rapid Changes

Avoid calling shutdown/restart in rapid succession. This creates fragmented sessions.

5. Use Sync in Unload Handlers

On page/app close, use synchronous versions as async may not complete.

Common Patterns

Privacy Zone Pattern

1. User enters sensitive area
2. Track event "Entering Privacy Zone"
3. Save user identity
4. Call shutdown()
5. User exits sensitive area
6. Call restart()
7. Re-identify user
8. Track event "Exited Privacy Zone"

Conditional Capture Pattern

1. User logs in
2. Check capture rules (plan type, role, etc.)
3. If should capture: restart() + identify()
4. If should not capture: shutdown()
5. On user change: re-evaluate

Development Toggle Pattern

1. Check for dev flag (URL param, localStorage)
2. If dev mode: shutdown()
3. Allow toggle via keyboard shortcut or console
4. Persist preference for session

Troubleshooting

Sessions Not Resuming After Restart

User Anonymous After Restart

Fragmented Sessions

Key Takeaways for Agent

When helping developers with Capture Control:

1. Always emphasize:

   • Re-identify after restart (identity is lost)
   • Use sync version in unload handlers
   • Debounce rapid state changes
   • Use consent API for consent, not shutdown

2. Common mistakes to watch for:

   • Forgetting to re-identify
   • Using shutdown for consent
   • Rapid shutdown/restart cycles
   • No restart logic after shutdown

3. Questions to ask developers:

   • Why do you need to pause capture?
   • Is this for privacy/consent or performance?
   • How will you re-identify after restart?
   • What triggers the restart?

4. Platform routing:

   • Web (JavaScript/TypeScript) → See SKILL-WEB.md
   • iOS (Swift/SwiftUI) → See SKILL-MOBILE.md § iOS
   • Android (Kotlin) → See SKILL-MOBILE.md § Android
   • Flutter (Dart) → See SKILL-MOBILE.md § Flutter
   • React Native → See SKILL-MOBILE.md § React Native

Reference Links

• Web Capture Data: https://developer.fullstory.com/browser/fullcapture/capture-data/
• iOS Capture: https://developer.fullstory.com/mobile/ios/capture-data/
• Android Capture: https://developer.fullstory.com/mobile/android/capture-data/
• Flutter Capture: https://developer.fullstory.com/mobile/flutter/capture-data/
• React Native Capture: https://developer.fullstory.com/mobile/react-native/capture-data/