diff --git a/packages/extension/src/background/gif.ts b/packages/extension/src/background/gif.ts
index 123e2a0..50668cd 100644
--- a/packages/extension/src/background/gif.ts
+++ b/packages/extension/src/background/gif.ts
@@ -145,6 +145,15 @@
       context.fillStyle = "#10121c";
       context.fillRect(0, 0, size, size);
       context.drawImage(image, sx, sy, s, s, 0, 0, size, size);
+      // paint the pointer at the interpolated cursor position
+      const scale = image.width / options.viewport.w;
+      const cursor = cursorAt(options.track, frame.at - options.startedAt, options.viewport);
+      drawCursorMarker(
+        context,
+        (cursor.x * scale - sx) * (size / s),
+        (cursor.y * scale - sy) * (size / s),
+        Math.max(12, Math.round(size * 0.034))
+      );
       await encodeFrame(encoder, context, size, size, delayMs);
     } finally {
       image.close();
@@ -168,4 +177,42 @@
     point = candidate;
   }
   return point;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Paints a pointer arrow (white fill, dark outline) with its tip hotspot at
+ * (x, y). CDP screencast frames don't include the OS cursor, so the GIF and
+ * WebM encoders draw this marker at the interpolated cursor position.
+ */
+export function drawCursorMarker(
+  context: OffscreenCanvasRenderingContext2D | CanvasRenderingContext2D,
+  x: number,
+  y: number,
+  size: number
+): void {
+  // classic arrow silhouette in a 10x17 box, tip = the cursor hotspot
+  const outline: [number, number][] = [
+    [0, 0],
+    [0, 13.4],
+    [3.2, 10.3],
+    [5.3, 14.7],
+    [7.1, 13.9],
+    [4.9, 9.6],
+    [8.9, 9.6],
+  ];
+  const k = size / 17;
+  context.save();
+  context.translate(x, y);
+  context.scale(k, k);
+  context.beginPath();
+  context.moveTo(outline[0][0], outline[0][1]);
+  for (let i = 1; i < outline.length; i++) context.lineTo(outline[i][0], outline[i][1]);
+  context.closePath();
+  context.fillStyle = "#ffffff";
+  context.strokeStyle = "rgba(16, 18, 28, 0.9)";
+  context.lineWidth = 1.2;
+  context.lineJoin = "round";
+  context.fill();
+  context.stroke();
+  context.restore();
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/packages/extension/src/background/index.ts b/packages/extension/src/background/index.ts
index 861d40c..90bc105 100644
--- a/packages/extension/src/background/index.ts
+++ b/packages/extension/src/background/index.ts
@@ -506,7 +506,7 @@
     await api.attach({ tabId }, "1.3");
     await api.sendCommand({ tabId }, "Page.startScreencast", {
       format: "jpeg",
-      quality: 55,
+      quality: 70,
       maxWidth: VIDEO_MAX_DIMENSION,
       maxHeight: VIDEO_MAX_DIMENSION,
       everyNthFrame: 1,
diff --git a/packages/extension/src/background/video.ts b/packages/extension/src/background/video.ts
index 254dafa..0ba1472 100644
--- a/packages/extension/src/background/video.ts
+++ b/packages/extension/src/background/video.ts
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
  * to the GIF path.
  */
 import { Muxer, ArrayBufferTarget } from "webm-muxer";
-import { cursorCropRect, type CursorCropOptions } from "./gif";
+import { cursorAt, cursorCropRect, drawCursorMarker, type CursorCropOptions } from "./gif";
 import type { VideoFrame } from "./gif";
 
 /** VP8 needs even dimensions. */
@@ -56,13 +56,13 @@
       failure.error = error instanceof Error ? error : new Error(String(error));
     },
   });
-  // ~0.18 bits per pixel per frame keeps VP8 readable at 15fps (capped so
-  // huge squares don't explode the upload)
+  // ~0.3 bits per pixel per frame keeps VP8 sharp at 15fps (capped so huge
+  // squares don't explode the upload)
   encoder.configure({
     codec: "vp8",
     width,
     height,
-    bitrate: Math.min(4_000_000, Math.max(1_000_000, Math.round(width * height * 15 * 0.18))),
+    bitrate: Math.min(8_000_000, Math.max(1_000_000, Math.round(width * height * 15 * 0.3))),
   });
 
   const canvas = new OffscreenCanvas(width, height);
@@ -90,6 +90,16 @@
           context.fillStyle = "#10121c";
           context.fillRect(0, 0, width, height);
           context.drawImage(image, sx, sy, s, s, 0, 0, width, height);
+          // the OS pointer isn't part of screencast frames — paint the marker
+          // at the interpolated cursor position (the crop centers on it)
+          const scale = image.width / crop.viewport.w;
+          const cursor = cursorAt(crop.track, frame.at - crop.startedAt, crop.viewport);
+          drawCursorMarker(
+            context,
+            (cursor.x * scale - sx) * (width / s),
+            (cursor.y * scale - sy) * (height / s),
+            Math.max(12, Math.round(width * 0.034))
+          );
         } else {
           context.drawImage(image, 0, 0, width, height);
         }