> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://nicolasiensen.gitbook.io/vcr/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://nicolasiensen.gitbook.io/vcr/v-5.1.0/record-modes/record_on_error.md).

# Record on Error

The `:record_on_error` flag mode will prevent a cassette from being recorded when the code that uses the cassette (a test) raises an error (test failure).

## Background ()

*Given* a file named "setup.rb" with:

```
$server = start_sinatra_app do
  get('/') { 'Hello' }
end

require 'vcr'

VCR.configure do |c|
  c.hook_into                :webmock
  c.cassette_library_dir     = 'cassettes'
end
```

## Requests are recorded when no error is raised

*Given* a file named "record\_when\_no\_error.rb" with:

```
require 'setup'

VCR.use_cassette('example', :record_on_error => false) do
  response = Net::HTTP.get_response('localhost', '/', $server.port)
  puts "Response: #{response.body}"
end
```

*When* I run `ruby record_when_no_error.rb`

*Then* it should pass with "Response: Hello"

*And* the file "cassettes/example.yml" should contain "Hello".

## Requests are not recorded when an error is raised and :record\_on\_error is set to false

*Given* a file named "do\_not\_record\_on\_error.rb" with:

```
require 'setup'

VCR.use_cassette('example', :record => :once, :record_on_error => false) do
  Net::HTTP.get_response('localhost', '/', $server.port)
  raise StandardError, 'The example failed'
end
```

*When* I run `ruby do_not_record_on_error.rb`

*Then* it should fail with "The example failed"

*And* the file "cassettes/example.yml" should not exist.

## Requests are recorded when an error is raised and :record\_on\_error is set to true

*Given* a file named "record\_on\_error.rb" with:

```
require 'setup'

VCR.use_cassette('example', :record => :once, :record_on_error => true) do
  Net::HTTP.get_response('localhost', '/', $server.port)
  raise StandardError, 'The example failed'
end
```

*When* I run `ruby record_on_error.rb`

*Then* it should fail with "The example failed"

*But* the file "cassettes/example.yml" should contain "Hello".