Convert UI Bug Reports to Automated Fixes

TL;DR: Stop wasting time manually reproducing UI bugs – Replay lets you convert screen recordings of bugs directly into automated fixes by generating code that recreates the problematic behavior.

Reproducing UI bugs is a black hole of developer time. You get a vague description, maybe a screenshot, and then spend hours trying to recreate the issue. The current workflow is broken: relying on unreliable bug reports leads to wasted effort and delayed fixes. What if you could skip the guesswork and go straight to a working, reproducible code example of the bug?

The Problem: Bug Reports are Broken#

Traditional bug reporting relies on users to accurately describe the steps leading to an issue. This is inherently flawed:

• •Users are not developers: They often miss crucial details or misinterpret their actions.
• •Descriptions are subjective: "The button doesn't work" could mean anything from a visual glitch to a complete crash.
• •Environments vary: Browser versions, operating systems, and device configurations all contribute to inconsistent behavior.

The result? Developers spend more time reproducing bugs than fixing them. This is a massive drain on productivity and a major source of frustration.

The Solution: Behavior-Driven Reconstruction with Replay#

Forget static screenshots and incomplete descriptions. Replay analyzes video recordings of user sessions to understand the behavior that led to a bug. This "Behavior-Driven Reconstruction" approach, powered by Gemini, provides a far more accurate and efficient way to address UI issues.

Replay automatically generates:

• •Working code: A functional component that reproduces the bug.
• •Reproducible steps: Clear, concise steps to trigger the issue.
• •Contextual information: Browser version, OS, device details, and network requests.

This allows developers to focus on fixing the bug, not chasing it.

How Replay Works: Video to Code#

Replay utilizes a unique approach that differs significantly from screenshot-to-code tools. It doesn't just "see" the UI; it understands the actions that create it.

1. •Video Analysis: Replay analyzes the video recording, identifying UI elements, user interactions (clicks, scrolls, form inputs), and network requests.
2. •Behavioral Mapping: It creates a map of user behavior, linking actions to specific UI states.
3. •Code Generation: Using this behavioral map, Replay generates code that replicates the user's actions and recreates the bug.
4. •Supabase Integration (Optional): Seamlessly integrate with your Supabase backend for data-driven bug scenarios.

💡 Pro Tip: The more detailed the video, the more accurate the code generation. Encourage users to record their entire workflow leading up to the bug.

Replay vs. Traditional Bug Reporting & Screenshot-to-Code#

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

As you can see, Replay offers a significant advantage by leveraging video input and focusing on user behavior, leading to more accurate and reproducible code.

Tutorial: Converting a Bug Report into an Automated Fix#

Let's walk through a practical example of how to use Replay to convert a bug report into an automated fix. Imagine a user reports that a form submission fails intermittently.

Step 1: User Records the Bug#

The user records their screen while filling out the form and submitting it. The recording captures the intermittent failure.

Step 2: Upload the Recording to Replay#

Upload the video recording to Replay. Replay analyzes the video and identifies the relevant UI elements and user actions.

Step 3: Review and Refine the Generated Code#

Replay generates code that replicates the form submission process. Review the generated code and make any necessary refinements. For example, you might need to adjust the data being submitted or handle specific error cases.

Here's an example of the kind of code Replay might generate (using React and

):

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

const BuggyForm = () => {
  const [name, setName] = useState('');
  const [email, setEmail] = useState('');

  const handleSubmit = async (e: React.FormEvent) => {
    e.preventDefault();
    try {
      const response = await fetch('/api/submit', {
        method: 'POST',
        headers: {
          'Content-Type': 'application/json',
        },
        body: JSON.stringify({ name, email }),
      });

      if (!response.ok) {
        throw new Error(`HTTP error! status: ${response.status}`);
      }

      const data = await response.json();
      console.log('Submission successful:', data);
    } catch (error) {
      console.error('Submission failed:', error);
      // Handle error appropriately (e.g., display an error message)
    }
  };

  return (
    <form onSubmit={handleSubmit}>
      <label>
        Name:
        <input type="text" value={name} onChange={(e) => setName(e.target.value)} />
      </label>
      <label>
        Email:
        <input type="email" value={email} onChange={(e) => setEmail(e.target.value)} />
      </label>
      <button type="submit">Submit</button>
    </form>
  );
};

export default BuggyForm;

Step 4: Identify and Fix the Underlying Issue#

Now that you have a working code example that reproduces the bug, you can easily identify the underlying issue. In this case, the intermittent failure might be due to a race condition or a server-side error.

📝 Note: Replay doesn't automatically fix the bug for you, but it provides the necessary context and a reproducible code example to make the debugging process much faster and easier.

Step 5: Write an Automated Test#

Using the generated code, you can easily write an automated test to ensure that the bug is fixed and doesn't reappear in the future. This test can be integrated into your CI/CD pipeline to prevent regressions.

javascript
// Example using Jest and React Testing Library
import { render, screen, fireEvent } from '@testing-library/react';
import BuggyForm from './BuggyForm';

describe('BuggyForm', () => {
  it('submits the form successfully', async () => {
    // Mock the fetch API to simulate a successful submission
    global.fetch = jest.fn(() =>
      Promise.resolve({
        ok: true,
        json: () => Promise.resolve({ message: 'Submission successful' }),
      })
    ) as jest.Mock;

    render(<BuggyForm />);
    const nameInput = screen.getByLabelText('Name:');
    const emailInput = screen.getByLabelText('Email:');
    const submitButton = screen.getByRole('button', { name: 'Submit' });

    fireEvent.change(nameInput, { target: { value: 'Test Name' } });
    fireEvent.change(emailInput, { target: { value: 'test@example.com' } });
    fireEvent.click(submitButton);

    // Wait for the fetch API to be called
    await screen.findByText('Submission successful');

    expect(fetch).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
    expect(fetch).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
      '/api/submit',
      expect.objectContaining({
        method: 'POST',
        body: JSON.stringify({ name: 'Test Name', email: 'test@example.com' }),
      })
    );
  });

  // Add more tests to cover different scenarios, including error cases
});

Benefits of Using Replay#

• •Reduced Debugging Time: Stop wasting time reproducing bugs and focus on fixing them.
• •Improved Accuracy: Get a more accurate understanding of the user's experience.
• •Faster Bug Fixes: Resolve issues more quickly and efficiently.
• •Increased Productivity: Free up developer time for more important tasks.
• •Better Collaboration: Share reproducible code examples with your team.
• •Automated Testing: Easily create automated tests to prevent regressions.
• •Enhanced User Experience: Provide a more stable and reliable application.

⚠️ Warning: Replay relies on the quality of the video recording. Encourage users to provide clear and detailed recordings.

Frequently Asked Questions#

Is Replay free to use?#

Replay offers a free tier with limited usage. Paid plans are available for higher usage and additional features. Check the Replay pricing page for the latest details.

How is Replay different from v0.dev?#

v0.dev primarily focuses on generating UI components from text prompts or basic designs. Replay, on the other hand, analyzes video recordings to understand user behavior and reconstruct the UI as it was experienced. This behavior-driven approach is crucial for accurately reproducing and fixing bugs. While v0.dev might help you create initial UI elements, Replay helps you understand and fix issues in your existing application.

What kind of applications does Replay support?#

Replay supports any web application that can be recorded with a screen recorder. This includes React, Angular, Vue.js, and other popular frameworks.

Does Replay store my video recordings?#

Replay offers options for storing video recordings securely. You can choose to store recordings on Replay's servers or integrate with your own storage solution.

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