Convert UI Prototype Walkthroughs to Code

TL;DR: Ditch static mockups and screenshots; use video walkthroughs of your UI prototypes to generate working code with Replay, leveraging behavior-driven reconstruction.

The age of static UI prototypes is over. Presenting a polished Figma design is impressive, but turning that vision into functional code is where the real challenge begins. Current screenshot-to-code tools offer a superficial solution, capturing the visual appearance but missing the crucial element: user behavior and intent. What if you could simply record a video walkthrough of your prototype and have it automatically converted into a working, multi-page application? That's the power of Replay.

The Problem with Screenshot-to-Code#

Screenshot-to-code tools are limited by their input. They only "see" a static image, unable to infer the actions, transitions, and data flow that define a real user experience. This leads to brittle code that requires extensive manual adjustments. They lack the crucial context of why a user is interacting with the UI in a particular way.

Consider this scenario: a user clicks a button that triggers a complex animation and updates data on multiple components. A screenshot-to-code tool will capture the end state of the UI but completely miss the animation, the data updates, and the relationship between the button click and those changes.

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

Replay takes a radically different approach: behavior-driven reconstruction. Instead of relying on static images, Replay analyzes video recordings of UI prototype walkthroughs. By understanding the sequence of actions, the timing of events, and the flow of data, Replay can generate code that accurately reflects the intended user experience.

This approach unlocks several key advantages:

• •Multi-Page Application Generation: Replay can generate entire multi-page applications from a single video, following the user's navigation path.
• •Accurate State Management: Replay infers state transitions based on user interactions, ensuring that the generated code maintains the correct UI state.
• •Dynamic Content Handling: Replay can identify and extract dynamic content, such as text inputs and API responses, and incorporate them into the generated code.

From Prototype Walkthrough to Working Code: A Step-by-Step Guide#

Here's how you can use Replay to convert a UI prototype walkthrough into working code:

Step 1: Record Your Prototype Walkthrough#

Use any screen recording tool to capture a video of you interacting with your UI prototype. Be sure to:

• •Clearly demonstrate all user flows.
• •Interact with all interactive elements.
• •Showcase different states and transitions.
• •Speak clearly, describing your actions. (While not strictly required, audio helps Replay understand context even better).

Step 2: Upload to Replay#

Upload your video to the Replay platform. Replay's AI engine will analyze the video, identify UI elements, and reconstruct the user's behavior.

Step 3: Review and Customize#

Replay generates a working codebase that you can review and customize.

• •Inspect the generated components and their associated logic.
• •Adjust styles using Replay's style injection feature.
• •Integrate with your existing codebase.

Step 4: Supabase Integration (Optional)#

If your prototype uses a database, Replay can automatically integrate with Supabase. Simply provide your Supabase credentials, and Replay will generate the necessary code to interact with your database.

Example: Generating a Simple To-Do App#

Let's say you have a simple to-do app prototype. You record a video showing the following actions:

1. •Typing a new to-do item in an input field.
2. •Clicking an "Add" button.
3. •Marking a to-do item as complete.
4. •Deleting a to-do item.

Replay can generate the following React code (simplified for clarity):

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

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

const TodoApp = () => {
  const [todos, setTodos] = useState<Todo[]>([]);
  const [newTodo, setNewTodo] = useState('');

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

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

  const handleToggleComplete = (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 todo"
      />
      <button onClick={handleAddTodo}>Add</button>
      <ul>
        {todos.map((todo) => (
          <li key={todo.id}>
            <input
              type="checkbox"
              checked={todo.completed}
              onChange={() => handleToggleComplete(todo.id)}
            />
            <span style={{ textDecoration: todo.completed ? 'line-through' : 'none' }}>
              {todo.text}
            </span>
            <button onClick={() => handleDeleteTodo(todo.id)}>Delete</button>
          </li>
        ))}
      </ul>
    </div>
  );
};

export default TodoApp;

This code captures the core functionality of the to-do app, including adding, completing, and deleting items. Replay inferred the state management logic and event handlers based on the video recording.

💡 Pro Tip: Speak clearly while recording your prototype walkthrough. Explaining your actions helps Replay better understand the context and generate more accurate code.

Furthermore, Replay goes beyond simple component generation. It can also generate a product flow map, visualizing the user's journey through the application. This map can be used to identify potential usability issues and optimize the user experience.

Style Injection for Rapid Prototyping#

Replay allows you to inject custom styles into the generated code, enabling rapid prototyping and customization. You can define CSS classes or use inline styles to quickly adjust the appearance of the UI.

typescript
// Example of style injection
const buttonStyle = {
  backgroundColor: 'blue',
  color: 'white',
  padding: '10px 20px',
  borderRadius: '5px',
};

// Use the style in your component
<button style={buttonStyle} onClick={handleAddTodo}>Add</button>

⚠️ Warning: While Replay generates a functional codebase, it's important to review and test the generated code thoroughly. You may need to make adjustments to ensure that it meets your specific requirements.

Replay vs. Traditional Development#

Frequently Asked Questions#

Is Replay free to use?#

Replay offers a free tier with limited features. Paid plans are available for more advanced features and usage. Check the Replay website for the most up-to-date pricing information.

How is Replay different from v0.dev?#

While both aim to generate code, Replay focuses on behavioral analysis using video input. v0.dev relies primarily on text prompts and generates code based on those prompts, lacking the nuanced understanding of user interaction that Replay provides. Replay captures the intent behind the UI, whereas v0.dev focuses on the visual description.

What frameworks and libraries does Replay support?#

Replay currently supports React and Next.js, with plans to expand support to other popular frameworks in the future. Replay outputs clean, component-based code that integrates seamlessly with existing projects.

📝 Note: Replay is constantly evolving, with new features and improvements being added regularly. Stay tuned for updates and announcements.

---

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