Convert Mockups to React Components Using AI Video Analysis

TL;DR: Replay uses AI video analysis to convert screen recordings of user flows into production-ready React components, going beyond static mockups to understand user intent and generate functional UI.

From Video to React: The Future of UI Generation#

Static mockups are dead. Okay, maybe not dead, but severely limited. They represent a single, frozen state of a UI, offering no insight into user behavior, interactions, or the dynamic nature of a real application. What if you could capture the experience of using an application and translate that directly into code? That's the power of behavior-driven UI reconstruction, and it's here with Replay.

Replay analyzes video recordings of user interactions to generate React components that accurately reflect the intended functionality. We're not just looking at pixels; we're understanding what the user is trying to achieve. This approach leads to more robust, user-centric components that are ready for integration into your project.

Why Video? Understanding Behavior-Driven Reconstruction#

Traditional mockup-to-code solutions rely on static images. They see a button, but they don't know what it does. Replay, on the other hand, uses video as the source of truth. By analyzing the sequence of actions in the video, Replay can infer the intended behavior of each UI element. This "Behavior-Driven Reconstruction" allows us to generate code that's not only visually accurate but also functionally correct.

Consider a simple form submission. A screenshot-to-code tool might identify the input fields and the submit button. But Replay sees the user typing into the fields, clicking the button, and (crucially) the subsequent action (e.g., a success message, a redirect). This understanding of the entire flow allows Replay to generate code that handles form validation, submission, and post-submission behavior seamlessly.

Replay vs. The Competition: A Clear Advantage#

Let's compare Replay to other mockup-to-code solutions:

As you can see, Replay stands out by leveraging video input and behavior analysis to generate more complete and functional code. The Supabase integration is a huge time saver for anyone using that backend as a service.

Building a React Component from a Video: A Step-by-Step Guide#

Let's walk through the process of converting a video recording of a simple "To-Do" app into a React component using Replay.

Step 1: Record the User Flow#

First, record a video of yourself interacting with the To-Do app. Make sure to capture the following actions:

1. •Typing a new task into the input field.
2. •Clicking the "Add" button.
3. •Marking a task as complete.
4. •Deleting a task.

📝 Note: The clearer and more deliberate your actions in the video, the better Replay will be able to understand the intended behavior.

Step 2: Upload the Video to Replay#

Upload the video to the Replay platform. Replay will then analyze the video and begin reconstructing the UI.

Step 3: Review and Refine the Generated Code#

Once the analysis is complete, Replay will present you with the generated React code. This code will include:

• •The basic UI structure (input field, buttons, list of tasks).
• •Event handlers for adding, completing, and deleting tasks.
• •State management logic to keep the UI in sync with the underlying data.

Here's a simplified example of the kind of code Replay might generate:

typescript
import React, { useState } from 'react';

interface Todo {
  id: number;
  text: string;
  completed: boolean;
}

const TodoList: React.FC = () => {
  const [todos, setTodos] = useState<Todo[]>([
    { id: 1, text: 'Learn Replay', completed: false },
  ]);
  const [newTodo, setNewTodo] = useState('');

  const handleInputChange = (e: React.ChangeEvent<HTMLInputElement>) => {
    setNewTodo(e.target.value);
  };

  const handleAddTodo = () => {
    if (newTodo.trim() !== '') {
      setTodos([...todos, { id: Date.now(), text: newTodo, completed: false }]);
      setNewTodo('');
    }
  };

  const handleCompleteTodo = (id: number) => {
    setTodos(todos.map(todo =>
      todo.id === id ? { ...todo, completed: !todo.completed } : todo
    ));
  };

  const handleDeleteTodo = (id: number) => {
    setTodos(todos.filter(todo => todo.id !== id));
  };

  return (
    <div>
      <input
        type="text"
        value={newTodo}
        onChange={handleInputChange}
        placeholder="Add a new task"
      />
      <button onClick={handleAddTodo}>Add</button>
      <ul>
        {todos.map(todo => (
          <li key={todo.id}>
            <span style={{ textDecoration: todo.completed ? 'line-through' : 'none' }}>
              {todo.text}
            </span>
            <button onClick={() => handleCompleteTodo(todo.id)}>
              {todo.completed ? 'Undo' : 'Complete'}
            </button>
            <button onClick={() => handleDeleteTodo(todo.id)}>Delete</button>
          </li>
        ))}
      </ul>
    </div>
  );
};

export default TodoList;

💡 Pro Tip: The generated code is a starting point. You can always refine it further to meet your specific needs. Replay's strength is in accelerating the initial development process, not replacing developers entirely.

Step 4: Integrate the Component into Your Project#

Copy the generated code into your React project and integrate it into your application. You may need to adjust the styling or data handling to match your existing codebase.

Advanced Features: Beyond the Basics#

Replay offers a range of advanced features to further streamline the UI generation process:

• •Multi-Page Generation: Capture complex user flows that span multiple pages or screens. Replay will automatically generate the necessary components and routing logic.
• •Supabase Integration: Connect Replay to your Supabase project to automatically generate database queries and data models based on the video analysis. This is especially useful when the video shows data being fetched or updated.
• •Style Injection: Customize the styling of the generated components using CSS or your preferred styling library. Replay can infer basic styling from the video or allow you to inject your own styles.
• •Product Flow Maps: Visualize the user flow captured in the video as a diagram. This can be helpful for understanding the overall structure of the application and identifying potential areas for improvement.

typescript
// Example of Supabase integration (simplified)
const fetchTodos = async () => {
  const { data, error } = await supabase
    .from('todos')
    .select('*');

  if (error) {
    console.error("Error fetching todos:", error);
    return [];
  }

  return data;
};

⚠️ Warning: While Replay strives for accuracy, the generated code may require adjustments to fit your specific project requirements and coding standards. Always review and test the code thoroughly before deploying it to production.

Benefits of Using Replay#

• •Faster Development: Generate working UI components in seconds, freeing up your time to focus on more complex tasks.
• •Improved Accuracy: Capture the nuances of user behavior to create more functional and user-friendly interfaces.
• •Reduced Errors: Minimize the risk of errors by automatically generating code that reflects the intended behavior of the UI.
• •Enhanced Collaboration: Share video recordings and generated code with your team to facilitate collaboration and ensure consistency across the project.
• •Better User Experience: By understanding user intent from the video, Replay helps create UIs that are intuitive and easy to use.

Frequently Asked Questions#

Is Replay free to use?#

Replay offers a free tier with limited features and usage. Paid plans are available for users who need more advanced features or higher usage limits. Check the pricing page on our website for the latest details.

How is Replay different from v0.dev?#

While both Replay and v0.dev aim to accelerate UI development, they differ significantly in their approach. v0.dev relies on text-based prompts to generate code, requiring developers to describe the desired UI in detail. Replay, on the other hand, uses video analysis to understand user behavior and generate code based on actual interactions. This allows Replay to capture nuances and context that might be missed in a text-based description.

What types of applications can Replay generate code for?#

Replay can generate code for a wide range of applications, including web applications, mobile apps, and desktop software. As long as you can record a video of yourself interacting with the application, Replay can analyze the video and generate the corresponding UI components.

What frameworks and libraries are supported?#

Currently, Replay primarily focuses on generating React components. Support for other frameworks and libraries, such as Vue.js and Angular, is planned for future releases.

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