> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.sonoransoftware.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.sonoransoftware.com/store/dashcam/developer-api.md).

# Developer API

Use the supported Events Dashcam client and server exports and integration events.

Resource name:

```
eventsDashcam
```

## Client exports

| Export                                | Returns       | Description                                                                               |
| ------------------------------------- | ------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `StartDashcamRecording(trigger)`      | boolean       | Submits a recording request for the local driver. Defaults to `manual`.                   |
| `StopDashcamRecording()`              | boolean       | Requests finalization of the local driver's active recording.                             |
| `SaveDashcamBuffer()`                 | boolean       | Starts a manual save with the configured pre-event buffer.                                |
| `AddDashcamMarker(label, markerType)` | boolean       | Adds a marker to the active recording. Defaults to `Manual evidence marker` and `manual`. |
| `IsDashcamRecording()`                | boolean       | Returns the local recording state.                                                        |
| `GetActiveRecordingId()`              | string or nil | Returns the local active recording ID.                                                    |

```lua
local accepted = exports.eventsDashcam:StartDashcamRecording('manual')

if exports.eventsDashcam:IsDashcamRecording() then
    exports.eventsDashcam:AddDashcamMarker('Suspect vehicle located', 'observation')
end
```

An `accepted` result only means the client submitted the request. The server still checks the player's permissions, vehicle, trigger configuration, rate limits, and current recording state.

Supported trigger names are `manual`, `save_buffer`, `emergency_lights`, `siren`, `collision`, `speed`, `gunshot`, `dispatch`, and `marker`.

## Server exports

Server exports that act for a player require that player's server ID. They re-check access and evidence permissions.

### Read a recording

```lua
local recording, err = exports.eventsDashcam:GetDashcamRecording(recordingId, source)
local canAccess = exports.eventsDashcam:CanAccessDashcamRecording(source, recordingId)
```

| Export                                                 | Returns                        | Description                                          |
| ------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| `GetDashcamRecording(recordingId, playerSource)`       | recording or nil, error or nil | Returns the recording when the player can access it. |
| `CanAccessDashcamRecording(playerSource, recordingId)` | boolean                        | Checks whether the player can access the recording.  |

A server resource may omit `playerSource` only when its resource name is explicitly allowlisted in `Config.Permissions.TrustedResources` inside `eventsDashcam/config/permissions.lua`:

```lua
Config.Permissions.TrustedResources = {
    ['my-evidence-bridge'] = true
}

local recording, err = exports.eventsDashcam:GetDashcamRecording(recordingId)
```

Do not use the trusted form for player-initiated requests. Pass the player's source so Dashcam applies their permissions.

### Update a recording

```lua
local ok, err = exports.eventsDashcam:AttachIncidentToRecording(source, recordingId, 'INC-1042')
local ok, err = exports.eventsDashcam:LockDashcamRecording(source, recordingId, 'Evidence hold')
local ok, err = exports.eventsDashcam:AddDashcamEvidenceNote(source, recordingId, 'Reviewed by supervisor')
```

| Export                                                           | Returns               | Description                                                               |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `AttachIncidentToRecording(playerSource, recordingId, incident)` | boolean, error or nil | Sets the incident number. Maximum 128 characters.                         |
| `LockDashcamRecording(playerSource, recordingId, reason)`        | boolean, error or nil | Locks the recording. Defaults the reason to `external lock` when omitted. |
| `AddDashcamEvidenceNote(playerSource, recordingId, body)`        | boolean, error or nil | Adds an evidence note. Maximum 4,096 characters.                          |

These calls fail when the recording is missing, inaccessible, locked where applicable, or the player lacks the required permission.

## Integration events

### Start from another client resource

Use the local client event when an integration needs to request a configured trigger:

```lua
TriggerEvent('dashcam:integration:trigger', 'dispatch', {
    incident = 'INC-1042'
})
```

The server remains authoritative. Incident text is limited to 128 characters.

### Observe recording lifecycle

```lua
AddEventHandler('dashcam:client:recordingStarted', function(recordingId)
    -- Runs on the recording player's client.
end)

AddEventHandler('dashcam:client:recordingStopped', function(recordingId)
    -- Runs on the recording player's client.
end)

AddEventHandler('dashcam:server:recordingFinalized', function(recordingId, recording)
    -- Runs on the server after Events Core finalizes a Dashcam recording.
end)
```

The server event includes a defensive recording table when it is available. Treat it as read-only.

## Internal routes

Events named `eventsDashcam:server:*` and `eventsDashcam:client:*` are internal request and synchronization routes. They are not a stable public API. Use the exports and integration events above instead.


---

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