AI-Driven UI Code Transformation from Video Recording

TL;DR: Replay uses AI to reconstruct fully functional UI code from video recordings, moving beyond static screenshot-to-code approaches by analyzing user behavior and intent.

The screenshot-to-code revolution promised instant UI generation, but it left a crucial element behind: context. Static images can't convey user flows, dynamic interactions, or the why behind each action. This is why many "AI-powered" UI generators deliver brittle, incomplete code.

Replay takes a radically different approach. We believe that video, not screenshots, is the true source of truth for understanding UI requirements. Our engine, powered by Gemini, analyzes video recordings to reconstruct working UI code, capturing not just what the user sees, but how they interact with it. This is what we call Behavior-Driven Reconstruction.

The Problem with Screenshot-to-Code#

Screenshot-to-code tools operate on a fundamentally flawed premise: that a single image can encapsulate the complexity of a modern UI. Consider a multi-step form, a dynamic dashboard, or a complex e-commerce checkout flow. A screenshot only shows a single state at a single point in time.

These tools struggle with:

• •Dynamic Content: They can't handle animations, state changes, or data fetching.
• •User Flows: They don't understand the sequence of actions required to complete a task.
• •Contextual Understanding: They lack the ability to infer the user's intent or the purpose of each element.

The result? Code that's aesthetically similar to the original UI but functionally incomplete and often requires significant manual rework.

Behavior-Driven Reconstruction: Video as the Source of Truth#

Replay flips the script. Instead of relying on static images, we analyze video recordings of user interactions. This allows us to:

• •Capture Dynamic Behavior: We track mouse movements, clicks, keystrokes, and other interactions to understand how the user navigates the UI.
• •Infer User Intent: By analyzing the sequence of actions, we can infer the user's goals and the purpose of each element.
• •Generate Complete Code: We reconstruct the UI with all the necessary logic, data fetching, and event handling.

This approach, powered by the advanced capabilities of Gemini, results in code that's not only visually accurate but also fully functional and maintainable.

How Replay Works: From Video to Code#

Replay's process can be broken down into these key steps:

1. •

   Video Analysis: The video recording is analyzed to extract key features, including UI elements, user interactions, and state changes. We use advanced computer vision techniques to identify and track elements, even in complex and dynamic UIs.

2. •

   Behavioral Modeling: The extracted features are used to build a behavioral model of the UI. This model captures the relationships between elements, the sequence of user actions, and the resulting state changes.

3. •

   Code Generation: The behavioral model is then used to generate clean, efficient, and maintainable code. We support a variety of frameworks and languages, including React, Vue, and HTML/CSS.

4. •

   Supabase Integration: Replay can automatically integrate with Supabase to handle data storage and retrieval. This allows you to quickly build data-driven applications without writing any backend code.

5. •

   Style Injection: You can inject your own CSS styles into the generated code to ensure that it matches your brand and design guidelines.

6. •

   Product Flow Maps: Replay generates a visual representation of the user flow, making it easy to understand and modify the UI.

Replay in Action: A Practical Example#

Let's say you have a video recording of a user creating a new account on a website. With Replay, you can transform this video into working React code in a few simple steps:

Step 1: Upload the Video#

Upload the video recording to the Replay platform.

Step 2: Analyze the Video#

Replay will automatically analyze the video and identify the UI elements, user interactions, and state changes.

Step 3: Generate the Code#

Replay will generate the React code for the account creation form, including all the necessary input fields, validation logic, and event handling.

typescript
// Example React component generated by Replay
import React, { useState } from 'react';

const CreateAccountForm = () => {
  const [email, setEmail] = useState('');
  const [password, setPassword] = useState('');

  const handleSubmit = async (e: React.FormEvent) => {
    e.preventDefault();
    // Simulate API call to create account
    const response = await fetch('/api/create-account', {
      method: 'POST',
      body: JSON.stringify({ email, password }),
      headers: {
        'Content-Type': 'application/json',
      },
    });
    const data = await response.json();
    if (data.success) {
      alert('Account created successfully!');
    } else {
      alert('Error creating account.');
    }
  };

  return (
    <form onSubmit={handleSubmit}>
      <div>
        <label htmlFor="email">Email:</label>
        <input
          type="email"
          id="email"
          value={email}
          onChange={(e) => setEmail(e.target.value)}
        />
      </div>
      <div>
        <label htmlFor="password">Password:</label>
        <input
          type="password"
          id="password"
          value={password}
          onChange={(e) => setPassword(e.target.value)}
        />
      </div>
      <button type="submit">Create Account</button>
    </form>
  );
};

export default CreateAccountForm;

This code is not just a static representation of the form; it's a fully functional React component that you can integrate into your application.

Step 4: Customize and Deploy#

You can then customize the generated code to match your specific requirements and deploy it to your production environment.

💡 Pro Tip: Use high-quality video recordings for the best results. Ensure the UI is clearly visible and the user interactions are easy to follow.

Replay vs. the Competition#

Here's a comparison of Replay with other UI generation tools:

⚠️ Warning: While screenshot-to-code tools can provide a quick starting point, they often require significant manual rework to handle dynamic content and user flows.

Benefits of Using Replay#

• •Faster Development: Generate working UI code in seconds, significantly reducing development time.
• •Improved Accuracy: Capture the full complexity of the UI, including dynamic behavior and user flows.
• •Reduced Manual Work: Minimize the need for manual coding and rework.
• •Better Code Quality: Generate clean, efficient, and maintainable code.
• •Enhanced Collaboration: Share video recordings and generated code with your team to facilitate collaboration.
• •Rapid Prototyping: Quickly prototype new UI ideas by recording user interactions and generating code.

📝 Note: Replay is constantly evolving, with new features and improvements being added regularly.

Frequently Asked Questions#

Is Replay free to use?#

Replay offers a free tier with limited usage. Paid plans are available for higher usage and access to advanced features. Check out our pricing page for details.

How is Replay different from v0.dev?#

Replay analyzes video recordings to understand user behavior and intent, while v0.dev and similar tools rely on static screenshots. This allows Replay to generate more complete and functional code, especially for complex and dynamic UIs. Replay focuses on behavior-driven reconstruction, understanding the "why" behind the UI, not just the "what."

What frameworks and languages does Replay support?#

Replay currently supports React, Vue, and HTML/CSS. We are planning to add support for other frameworks and languages in the future.

Can I customize the generated code?#

Yes, you can customize the generated code to match your specific requirements. You can also inject your own CSS styles and integrate with your existing codebase.

How accurate is Replay?#

Replay's accuracy depends on the quality of the video recording and the complexity of the UI. However, we have achieved impressive results in our internal testing, with accuracy rates exceeding 90% in many cases.

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Ready to try behavior-driven code generation? Get started with Replay - transform any video into working code in seconds.