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The simplest way to monitor a page you can already access is to sign in in your browser, create a Distill monitor from that page, and set its device to your local browser. Your computer and the relevant browser or app must be running for local checks. If checks need to run while your computer is off, use a Distill cloud option that can maintain or replay the site’s login; whether that works depends on the site’s authentication flow and the Distill feature available to your account.
Choose local monitoring or a cloud browser
Distill checks pages either on a device you control or in its cloud. A local check uses the browser or app on your device, so it can work with the session in which you are already signed in. A cloud check runs on Distill’s servers and does not depend on your computer being on, but it needs a usable authentication method and access to the page from the cloud.
| Option | When it fits | What to account for |
|---|---|---|
| Local browser or app | The page is available in a signed-in browser on your device, or cloud access is blocked. | The device and relevant browser/app must be available when checks run. Distill describes local monitoring as suitable for login-required pages that maintain an active login session (Distill: Running Local Monitors). |
| Dedicated Cloud Device | You need checks to continue while your device is off and want a remote browser that retains browser data. | You must sign in on the remote device and select that device for the monitor. Distill says Dedicated Cloud Devices preserve cookies and local storage and are included in paid plans (Distill: Dedicated Cloud Devices). |
| Profile with saved cookies | The documented cookie-based profile flow can authenticate the page. | Cookies can expire and need to be saved again; profile availability depends on the subscription plan (Distill: How to monitor webpages with login and password?). |
| Login macro | The site’s login steps can be replayed by a macro. | Macro availability depends on the subscription plan, and not every interactive authentication flow can be automated. |
Distill’s explanation of its operating model distinguishes checks on your device from checks on its servers: What is Distill? If the login requires a human action, email confirmation, or a flow that the cloud browser cannot complete, start with local monitoring rather than assuming a macro or stored cookie will work.
Set up a monitor from your signed-in browser
- Install and pin the Distill extension in the browser where you can sign in to the site.
- Open the target page and sign in manually. Confirm that the exact content you want to track is visible, not a login prompt or loading screen.
- Create the monitor from that page. Open the Distill extension and choose full-page monitoring or select the specific section that should trigger a change. Selecting just the relevant content can avoid alerts for unrelated page changes.
- Choose the local browser as the device. Give the monitor a recognizable name, set its schedule and alert actions, then save it. Distill’s Chrome setup guide covers monitor creation, content selection, device selection, scheduling, and alerts: Distill Chrome Extension – Monitor Website Changes.
- Keep the device available. Local checks need the computer and relevant browser or Distill app running when checks are due; they do not run while the device is off.
Test the monitor by checking it manually after saving and confirming the selected content is still the signed-in content. If teammates need to see or manage enterprise local monitors, associate the monitor with the device’s Primary Workspace; use a shared workspace when it needs to be visible to the team. Workspace association is per browser or device.
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Run checks in Distill’s cloud
Use a cloud approach when checks must continue independently of your computer. Which one is appropriate depends on how the site authenticates you and what your Distill account includes.
Dedicated Cloud Device
- In the Distill Watchlist, open Devices and add a Dedicated Cloud Device.
- Open its remote browser, navigate to the site, and sign in.
- Close the remote device after the session has been saved.
- Create or edit the monitor and select that Dedicated Cloud Device as the device that runs checks.
Distill says this device retains browser data such as cookies and local storage, allowing it to store a login session for authorized content. The feature is included in Distill’s paid plans, according to its Dedicated Cloud Devices documentation.
Profile with saved cookies
- Create a Profile and open its remote browser.
- Sign in to the target site in that browser and save the cookies.
- Create a Webpage with profile monitor and choose the Profile.
- If checks stop authenticating, reopen the Profile, sign in again, and save the cookies again.
Distill’s login guide documents this cookie workflow and notes that saved cookies can expire. Profile counts depend on subscription plan (login and password guide).
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Login macro
Record the login interactions the page requires, then select the macro when creating the monitor. Select the target content after the macro reaches the signed-in page. This is suitable only when the login steps can be replayed reliably. Distill says macro availability depends on the plan. Do not assume a macro will handle multi-factor authentication, CAPTCHA, email confirmation, or other steps requiring a person. In one support case involving email authentication, Distill recommended local Chrome monitoring; that case does not establish how every site or login flow behaves.
Troubleshoot failed or inaccurate checks
Before rebuilding a monitor, inspect its check or error log and identify whether the failure is authentication, access, loading, or content selection. Distill’s troubleshooting guide discusses these categories: Troubleshooting errors in checks.
- Forbidden or unauthorized response: The page may require authentication or the expected cookies may be missing. Refresh the session in the relevant Profile or Dedicated Cloud Device and save it again; if cloud access is unsuitable, try a local browser check.
- Checks worked, then stopped: A saved cookie or login session may have expired. Reauthenticate in the relevant remote browser and save the updated session.
- Cloud checks are blocked: The website may reject requests from Distill’s cloud. Try local monitoring from a browser that can access the page.
- The check runs but misses a change: Verify that the changing text or element is included in the selection. If it appears after the initial page load, configure a delay before extraction.
- The page needs an active tab: Some pages do not behave correctly in background checks. Distill suggests using its desktop app for local checks or investigating a cloud check, depending on the case.
- The monitor alerts unexpectedly: Revisit the selected region and confirm it excludes changing content that is irrelevant to your goal. Distill also recommends checking for expired sessions and missed-alert causes in Why Didn’t I Get an Alert?.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can Distill monitor a page that requires a login?
Yes. Use a local signed-in browser session or a supported Distill cloud authentication method; which works depends on the site’s login flow.
Do local Distill checks run when my computer is off?
No. Local checks require the device and relevant browser or app to be running.
Can a Distill macro handle every two-factor or email login?
No. Interactive authentication flows may not be replayable; test the specific flow or use a local signed-in browser.
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