diff --git a/changelog.md b/changelog.md
index d32cc64..acf8d9d 100644
--- a/changelog.md
+++ b/changelog.md
@@ -1,5 +1,11 @@
 # Changelog
 
+## 2026-04-12 - 3.8.5 - fix(recording)
+improve recording capture quality and align preview button loading state
+
+- request 60fps screen capture and increase recorder bitrate to 8 Mbps for smoother, higher-quality videos
+- update preview button layout to use inline flex alignment so spinner and label stay properly aligned
+
 ## 2026-04-12 - 3.8.4 - fix(repo)
 no changes to commit
 
diff --git a/ts_web/00_commitinfo_data.ts b/ts_web/00_commitinfo_data.ts
index c9d1110..ad11963 100644
--- a/ts_web/00_commitinfo_data.ts
+++ b/ts_web/00_commitinfo_data.ts
@@ -3,6 +3,6 @@
  */
 export const commitinfo = {
   name: '@design.estate/dees-wcctools',
-  version: '3.8.4',
+  version: '3.8.5',
   description: 'A set of web component tools for creating element catalogues, enabling the structured development and documentation of custom elements and pages.'
 }
diff --git a/ts_web/elements/wcc-recording-panel.ts b/ts_web/elements/wcc-recording-panel.ts
index f6fb88d..44b57de 100644
--- a/ts_web/elements/wcc-recording-panel.ts
+++ b/ts_web/elements/wcc-recording-panel.ts
@@ -383,6 +383,9 @@ export class WccRecordingPanel extends DeesElement {
         font-weight: 500;
         cursor: pointer;
         transition: all 0.15s ease;
+        display: inline-flex;
+        align-items: center;
+        gap: 0.5rem;
       }
 
       .preview-btn.secondary {
@@ -549,7 +552,7 @@ export class WccRecordingPanel extends DeesElement {
         border-radius: 50%;
         border-top-color: white;
         animation: spin 0.8s linear infinite;
-        margin-right: 0.5rem;
+        flex-shrink: 0;
       }
 
       @keyframes spin {
diff --git a/ts_web/services/recorder.service.ts b/ts_web/services/recorder.service.ts
index efb7a24..b473a59 100644
--- a/ts_web/services/recorder.service.ts
+++ b/ts_web/services/recorder.service.ts
@@ -150,7 +150,8 @@ export class RecorderService {
       // Get video stream based on mode
       const displayMediaOptions: DisplayMediaStreamOptions = {
         video: {
-          displaySurface: options.mode === 'viewport' ? 'browser' : 'monitor'
+          displaySurface: options.mode === 'viewport' ? 'browser' : 'monitor',
+          frameRate: { ideal: 60 },
         } as MediaTrackConstraints,
         audio: false
       };
@@ -207,7 +208,10 @@ export class RecorderService {
         ? 'video/webm;codecs=vp9'
         : 'video/webm';
 
-      this.mediaRecorder = new MediaRecorder(combinedStream, { mimeType });
+      this.mediaRecorder = new MediaRecorder(combinedStream, {
+        mimeType,
+        videoBitsPerSecond: 8_000_000, // 8 Mbps for smooth, high-quality capture
+      });
       this.recordedChunks = [];
 
       this.mediaRecorder.ondataavailable = (e) => {