Convert Storybook Component Demos to Reusable Code

TL;DR: Stop manually recreating UI components from Storybook demos – Replay leverages video analysis to automatically generate reusable code from your Storybook interactions.

Screenshot-to-code is dead. It’s a band-aid solution for a deeper problem: the tedious, manual translation of design and behavior into functional code. We’ve all been there – staring at a Storybook component demo, meticulously recreating its functionality in our own codebase. Hours vanish, and the result is often buggy and inconsistent. There's a better way.

From Storybook Demo to Production-Ready Code: The Replay Revolution#

Storybook is fantastic for showcasing UI components. But the leap from seeing a component in action to using it in your application is surprisingly large. It requires developers to manually:

• •Analyze the component's behavior by interacting with the demo.
• •Deconstruct the component's logic and styling.
• •Re-implement the component from scratch, ensuring fidelity to the original design.
• •Write unit tests to verify the component's functionality.

This process is time-consuming, error-prone, and frankly, soul-crushing. That's where Replay comes in. Replay analyzes video recordings of your Storybook demos, understanding not just what the component looks like, but how it behaves. This "Behavior-Driven Reconstruction" allows Replay to generate production-ready code that accurately reflects the component's intended functionality.

Why Video is the Key#

Unlike screenshot-based tools that only capture static visual information, Replay uses video as the source of truth. This allows it to:

• •Capture User Interactions: Replay understands clicks, hovers, form submissions, and other user actions.
• •Infer Component State: By analyzing the sequence of events, Replay can infer the component's internal state and how it changes over time.
• •Generate Dynamic Code: Replay can generate code that handles complex interactions and state management.

This approach unlocks a new level of automation in UI development, significantly reducing the time and effort required to integrate Storybook components into your applications.

Replay vs. The Alternatives: A Head-to-Head Comparison#

Let's see how Replay stacks up against traditional methods and other code generation tools:

📝 Note: "Manual Recreation" refers to the standard process of developers manually recreating components based on Storybook demos.

A Practical Example: Converting a Storybook Button Component#

Let's say you have a button component in Storybook with different states (primary, secondary, disabled) and interactions (hover, click). Using Replay, you can convert this demo into reusable code in a few simple steps.

Step 1: Record Your Storybook Demo#

Use any screen recording tool (or Replay's built-in recorder) to capture a video of you interacting with the button component in Storybook. Make sure to demonstrate all the different states and interactions you want to capture.

Step 2: Upload to Replay#

Upload the video recording to Replay. Replay will automatically analyze the video and generate a code preview.

Step 3: Review and Customize the Code#

Replay will present you with a code preview, typically in React or Vue.js, that represents the button component's functionality. You can review the code, customize the styling, and adjust the component's behavior as needed.

Step 4: Integrate into Your Application#

Copy the generated code into your application and start using the button component.

Here's an example of the kind of code Replay might generate (this is simplified for brevity):

typescript
// Generated by Replay
import React, { useState } from 'react';
import './Button.css';

interface ButtonProps {
  label: string;
  primary?: boolean;
  disabled?: boolean;
  onClick?: () => void;
}

const Button: React.FC<ButtonProps> = ({ label, primary = false, disabled = false, onClick }) => {
  const [isHovered, setIsHovered] = useState(false);

  const buttonClass = `button ${primary ? 'primary' : ''} ${disabled ? 'disabled' : ''} ${isHovered ? 'hovered' : ''}`;

  return (
    <button
      className={buttonClass}
      onClick={onClick}
      disabled={disabled}
      onMouseEnter={() => setIsHovered(true)}
      onMouseLeave={() => setIsHovered(false)}
    >
      {label}
    </button>
  );
};

export default Button;

This example demonstrates how Replay can generate code that handles different states (primary, disabled, hovered) and interactions (click). The generated code includes styling (imported from

), state management (using ), and event handling (using , , and ).

💡 Pro Tip: Focus on recording clear and concise videos of your Storybook demos. The better the video quality, the more accurate the generated code will be.

Beyond Basic Components: Product Flow Maps#

Replay's capabilities extend beyond single components. It can also generate "Product Flow Maps" by analyzing videos of entire user flows. Imagine recording a video of a user signing up for your application, navigating through different pages, and completing a purchase. Replay can analyze this video and generate a visual map of the user flow, along with the corresponding code for each page and interaction.

This is a game-changer for complex applications with intricate user flows. It allows developers to quickly understand and implement entire features without having to manually reverse-engineer the design and behavior.

Style Injection and Supabase Integration#

Replay also supports style injection, allowing you to seamlessly integrate the generated code with your existing styling framework (e.g., CSS-in-JS, Tailwind CSS). Furthermore, it integrates with Supabase, enabling you to quickly connect the generated code to your backend database.

typescript
// Example of Supabase integration
import { createClient } from '@supabase/supabase-js';

const supabaseUrl = 'YOUR_SUPABASE_URL';
const supabaseKey = 'YOUR_SUPABASE_ANON_KEY';
const supabase = createClient(supabaseUrl, supabaseKey);

const insertData = async (data: any) => {
  const { error } = await supabase
    .from('your_table')
    .insert([data]);

  if (error) {
    console.error('Error inserting data:', error);
  }
};

⚠️ Warning: Always store your Supabase API keys securely and avoid exposing them in client-side code. Use environment variables or a secrets management system.

Frequently Asked Questions#

Is Replay free to use?#

Replay offers a free tier with limited features and usage. Paid plans are available for more advanced features and higher usage limits. Check the Replay website for the latest pricing information.

How is Replay different from v0.dev?#

While both tools aim to generate code, Replay's core differentiator is its use of video analysis. v0.dev primarily relies on text prompts and pre-defined templates. Replay, on the other hand, understands user behavior and intent by analyzing video recordings, leading to more accurate and dynamic code generation. Replay focuses on understanding behavior rather than just visual appearance.

What kind of applications is Replay best suited for?#

Replay is particularly well-suited for applications with complex user flows, dynamic UI components, and a strong emphasis on user experience. It can be used for a wide range of applications, from e-commerce websites to SaaS platforms to mobile apps.

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