diff --git a/apps/recorder/ChangeLog b/apps/recorder/ChangeLog
index 5f1b7a492..874e4699c 100644
--- a/apps/recorder/ChangeLog
+++ b/apps/recorder/ChangeLog
@@ -28,4 +28,5 @@
 0.22: Convert Yes/No On/Off in settings to checkboxes
 0.23: Add graphing for HRM, fix some other graphs
       Altitude graphing now uses barometer altitude if it exists
-      plotTrack in widget allows track to be drawn in the background (doesn't block execution)
\ No newline at end of file
+      plotTrack in widget allows track to be drawn in the background (doesn't block execution)
+0.24: Can now specify `setRecording(true, {force:...` to not show a menu
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/apps/recorder/README.md b/apps/recorder/README.md
index 0dd208af5..6da739b1c 100644
--- a/apps/recorder/README.md
+++ b/apps/recorder/README.md
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# Recorder
+**# Recorder
 
 ![icon](app.png)
 
@@ -44,6 +44,16 @@ You can also view some information on the watch.
   * `Plot Speed` plots speed over time
   * `Plot HRM` plots heart rate over time
 
+## Usage in code
+
+As long as widgets are loaded, you can:
+
+* Call `WIDGETS["recorder"].setRecording(true)` to start recording (it returns a promise, and may show a menu)
+* Call `WIDGETS["recorder"].setRecording(true, {force:"new"/"append"/"overwrite")` to start recording (it returns a promise, and will not show a menu)
+* Call `WIDGETS["recorder"].setRecording(false)` to stop recording
+
+
+
 ## Tips
 
 When recording GPS, it usually takes several minutes for the watch to get a [GPS fix](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_to_first_fix). There is a red satellite symbol, which you will see turn green when you get an actual GPS Fix. You can [upload assistant files](https://banglejs.com/apps/#assisted%20gps%20update) to speed up the time spent on getting a GPS fix.
diff --git a/apps/recorder/metadata.json b/apps/recorder/metadata.json
index 5a5f48dce..99f1539c6 100644
--- a/apps/recorder/metadata.json
+++ b/apps/recorder/metadata.json
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
   "id": "recorder",
   "name": "Recorder",
   "shortName": "Recorder",
-  "version": "0.23",
+  "version": "0.24",
   "description": "Record GPS position, heart rate and more in the background, then download to your PC.",
   "icon": "app.png",
   "tags": "tool,outdoors,gps,widget",
diff --git a/apps/recorder/widget.js b/apps/recorder/widget.js
index 58519e24c..e57f293c7 100644
--- a/apps/recorder/widget.js
+++ b/apps/recorder/widget.js
@@ -231,35 +231,43 @@
   },getRecorders:getRecorders,reload:function() {
     reload();
     Bangle.drawWidgets(); // relayout all widgets
-  },setRecording:function(isOn, forceAppend) {
+  },setRecording:function(isOn, options) {
+    /* options = {
+      force : [optional] "append"/"new"/"overwrite" - don't ask, just do what's requested
+    } */
     var settings = loadSettings();
-    if (isOn && !settings.recording && !settings.file) {
-      settings.file = "recorder.log0.csv";
-    } else if (isOn && !forceAppend && !settings.recording && require("Storage").list(settings.file).length){
-      var logfiles=require("Storage").list(/recorder.log.*/);
-      var maxNumber=0;
-      for (var c of logfiles){
-          maxNumber = Math.max(maxNumber, c.match(/\d+/)[0]);
-      }
-      var newFileName;
-      if (maxNumber < 99){
-        newFileName="recorder.log" + (maxNumber + 1) + ".csv";
-        updateSettings(settings);
-      }
-      var buttons={/*LANG*/"Yes":"overwrite",/*LANG*/"No":"cancel"};
-      if (newFileName) buttons[/*LANG*/"New"] = "new";
-      buttons[/*LANG*/"Append"] = "append";
-      return E.showPrompt(/*LANG*/"Overwrite\nLog " + settings.file.match(/\d+/)[0] + "?",{title:/*LANG*/"Recorder",buttons:buttons}).then(selection=>{
-        if (selection==="cancel") return false; // just cancel
-        if (selection==="overwrite")
+    options = options||{};
+    if (isOn && !settings.recording) {
+      if (!settings.file) { // if no filename set
+        settings.file = "recorder.log0.csv";
+      } else if (require("Storage").list(settings.file).length){ // if file exists
+        if (!options.force) { // if not forced, ask the question
+          g.reset(); // work around bug in 2v17 and earlier where bg color wasn't reset
+          return E.showPrompt(
+                    /*LANG*/"Overwrite\nLog " + settings.file.match(/\d+/)[0] + "?",
+                    { title:/*LANG*/"Recorder",
+                      buttons:{/*LANG*/"Yes":"overwrite",/*LANG*/"No":"cancel",/*LANG*/"New":"new",/*LANG*/"Append":"append"}
+                    }).then(selection=>{
+            if (selection==="cancel") return false; // just cancel
+            if (selection==="overwrite") return WIDGETS["recorder"].setRecording(1,{force:"overwrite"});
+            if (selection==="new") return WIDGETS["recorder"].setRecording(1,{force:"new"});
+            if (selection==="append") return WIDGETS["recorder"].setRecording(1,{force:"append"});
+            throw new Error("Unknown response!");
+          });
+        } else if (options.force=="append") {
+          // do nothing, filename is the same - we are good
+        } else if (options.force=="overwrite") {
+          // wipe the file
           require("Storage").open(settings.file,"r").erase();
-        if (selection==="new"){
+        } else if (options.force=="new") {
+          // new file - find the max log file number and add one
+          var maxNumber=0;
+          require("Storage").list(/recorder.log.*/).forEach( fn => maxNumber = Math.max(maxNumber, fn.match(/\d+/)[0]) );
+          var newFileName = "recorder.log" + (maxNumber + 1) + ".csv";
+          // FIXME: use date?
           settings.file = newFileName;
-          updateSettings(settings);
-        }
-        // if (selection==="append") // we do nothing - all is fine
-        return WIDGETS["recorder"].setRecording(1,true/*force append*/);
-      });
+        } else throw new Error("Unknown options.force, "+options.force);
+      }
     }
     settings.recording = isOn;
     updateSettings(settings);
diff --git a/apps/run/app.js b/apps/run/app.js
index 73278566f..507e8581a 100644
--- a/apps/run/app.js
+++ b/apps/run/app.js
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ function onStartStop() {
     if (running) {
       isMenuDisplayed = true;
       promise = promise.
-        then(() => WIDGETS["recorder"].setRecording(true)).
+        then(() => WIDGETS["recorder"].setRecording(true, { force : shouldResume?"append":undefined })).
         then(() => {
           isMenuDisplayed = false;
           layout.setUI(); // grab our input handling again