> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://lilbobbytables.gitbook.io/mycrt-user-guide/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://lilbobbytables.gitbook.io/mycrt-user-guide/getting-started/captures.md).

# Starting Captures

This page outlines the process for capturing a workload from a source database.

Users have the ability to capture a workload from a source database. Users must provide the database location, start time, and end time such that the system can capture database activity into a capture workload file. Using this workload file, users may conduct replays on alternate target test databases.

**Prerequisite:** Please remember you MUST take \[a] database snapshot(s) just prior to starting your capture. You will need these snapshot(s) to replay your captures - these snapshots will serve as your target databases for replays.

**Steps to Start a Capture**

* Click the “+” icon next to “Captures”.

![](https://1572547363-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-L9ux89_cZRZjByEyMgG%2F-LAASTWj1KmqZbkb3jBx%2F-LAASXKoipGESpkgLk-N%2FScreen%20Shot%202018-04-15%20at%203.07.44%20PM.png?alt=media\&token=0ec4e88d-0153-436c-bf06-ee16bf0c4382)

* Walk through the steps to create a Capture.

![Specify capture name](https://1572547363-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-L9ux89_cZRZjByEyMgG%2F-LAASTWj1KmqZbkb3jBx%2F-LAAS__4AviItW4OejvC%2FScreen%20Shot%202018-04-15%20at%203.08.25%20PM.png?alt=media\&token=f71c4168-071d-43d2-a461-8a4d344992c7)

* Specify capture start option:
  * ***Immediate***: Capture will begin immediately upon creation.
  * ***Scheduled***: Capture will begin at user-specified start time.

![](https://1572547363-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-L9ux89_cZRZjByEyMgG%2F-LAASTWj1KmqZbkb3jBx%2F-LAASwKNSTdBy8Pxp42G%2FScreen%20Shot%202018-04-15%20at%203.08.25%20PM%202.png?alt=media\&token=5bf50dbe-c600-428d-b330-eb5f6edca463)

* Specify capture stop option:
  * ***Manual***: Capture will stop when user clicks “Stop” button.
  * ***Automatic***: Capture will stop after user-specified duration has elapsed.

![](https://1572547363-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-L9ux89_cZRZjByEyMgG%2F-LAASTWj1KmqZbkb3jBx%2F-LAAT1Wf9F84vXpiSqdC%2FScreen%20Shot%202018-04-15%20at%203.08.25%20PM%203.png?alt=media\&token=9bd12008-9674-4c61-83c5-66ef23b3f67d)

![Click “Create”](https://1572547363-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-L9ux89_cZRZjByEyMgG%2F-LAASTWj1KmqZbkb3jBx%2F-LAAT5qA2L8NVtHSGaJo%2FScreen%20Shot%202018-04-15%20at%203.08.25%20PM%203%202.png?alt=media\&token=115aee1f-ad82-43d2-b2d7-dd5092e67a38)

**Next Step: Stopping a Capture (below)**

**Steps to Stop a Capture** (Captures with Manual Stop Option ONLY)

* Click the red “Stop” button on the running capture window.

![](https://1572547363-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-L9ux89_cZRZjByEyMgG%2F-LAATId7fdaCk7d_F1VH%2F-LAATLTd9wY_xfGsuV-Z%2FScreen%20Shot%202018-04-15%20at%203.10.28%20PM.png?alt=media\&token=fea5bdcb-e653-4f02-a2a5-d8d9607b2503)

**Next Step**

{% content-ref url="/pages/-LAABXk8HpMEHjhVWA23" %}
[Starting Replays](/mycrt-user-guide/getting-started/replays.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}