Generate Interactive User Manuals with AI Video Insights

TL;DR: Replay empowers you to automatically generate interactive user manuals from video recordings by leveraging AI to understand user behavior and reconstruct working UI code.

Manually crafting user manuals is a soul-crushing task. Not only is it time-consuming, but it's also often outdated the moment you publish it, especially in the fast-paced world of software development. Traditional methods rely on static screenshots and lengthy text descriptions, failing to capture the dynamic nature of user interaction. What if you could automatically generate interactive user manuals directly from video recordings of real users interacting with your application?

Enter Replay, a revolutionary video-to-code engine that leverages AI to reconstruct working UI from screen recordings. Unlike screenshot-to-code tools, Replay understands WHAT users are trying to do, not just what they see. This "Behavior-Driven Reconstruction" approach allows you to create dynamic, interactive manuals that truly reflect the user experience.

Understanding Behavior-Driven Reconstruction#

The core difference between Replay and traditional screenshot-based tools lies in its ability to analyze user behavior within a video. Replay doesn't just see pixels; it understands actions, intents, and flows. This understanding is powered by Gemini, allowing Replay to identify UI elements, track user interactions, and infer the underlying logic.

This approach unlocks several key benefits:

• •Dynamic Content: Manuals generated with Replay are interactive, allowing users to directly engage with the UI elements and workflows.
• •Reduced Maintenance: As your application evolves, simply record new user sessions and regenerate the manual with Replay. No more manual updates!
• •Improved User Experience: By observing real user interactions, you can identify areas of confusion and optimize your application for better usability.
• •Automated Flow Diagrams: Replay automatically generates product flow maps, visualizing the user journey and highlighting key interaction points.

From Video to Interactive Manual: A Step-by-Step Guide#

Let's walk through the process of generating an interactive user manual using Replay.

Step 1: Recording User Sessions#

The first step is to record video sessions of users interacting with your application. These recordings should showcase common workflows and features that you want to document in your manual. You can use any screen recording tool you prefer.

📝 Note: The quality of the video recording is crucial for accurate reconstruction. Ensure clear visuals and audio.

Step 2: Uploading to Replay#

Once you have your video recordings, upload them to the Replay platform. Replay will then analyze the video and begin the process of behavior-driven reconstruction.

Step 3: Reviewing and Refining the Reconstructed UI#

After the reconstruction process is complete, Replay will present you with a working UI based on the video recording. You can then review and refine this UI to ensure accuracy and completeness.

Step 4: Generating the Interactive Manual#

With the reconstructed UI in place, you can generate the interactive user manual. Replay offers various customization options, allowing you to tailor the manual to your specific needs.

Step 5: Embedding and Sharing#

Finally, embed the generated manual into your documentation website or share it directly with your users. The interactive nature of the manual will provide a much more engaging and informative experience.

Code Example: Integrating Supabase for Dynamic Data#

Replay's Supabase integration allows you to connect your reconstructed UI to a live database, enabling dynamic data display within your interactive manual.

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

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

const fetchData = async () => {
  const { data, error } = await supabase
    .from('products')
    .select('*');

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

  return data;
};

// Use the fetched data to populate UI elements in your Replay-generated manual
const products = await fetchData();
console.log(products);

This code snippet demonstrates how to fetch data from a Supabase table and use it to dynamically populate UI elements within your Replay-generated manual. Imagine a user manual where product information is always up-to-date, pulled directly from your database.

Style Injection: Customizing the Look and Feel#

Replay allows you to inject custom styles into your reconstructed UI, ensuring that your interactive manual seamlessly integrates with your existing brand guidelines.

css
/* Example of custom CSS to style the manual */
.replay-button {
  background-color: #007bff;
  color: white;
  padding: 10px 20px;
  border-radius: 5px;
  cursor: pointer;
}

.replay-button:hover {
  background-color: #0056b3;
}

By adding this CSS snippet to your Replay project, you can customize the appearance of buttons and other UI elements within your generated manual.

Product Flow Maps: Visualizing the User Journey#

Replay automatically generates product flow maps based on the recorded user sessions. These maps visualize the user journey, highlighting key interaction points and potential areas of friction.

💡 Pro Tip: Use these flow maps to identify areas where users are struggling and optimize your application for better usability.

Replay vs. Traditional Methods: A Comparison#

Use Cases Beyond User Manuals#

While generating interactive user manuals is a primary use case, Replay's capabilities extend far beyond documentation:

• •Automated Testing: Generate test cases directly from video recordings of user interactions.
• •User Research: Analyze user behavior to identify areas for improvement in your application.
• •Prototyping: Quickly create interactive prototypes from video recordings of design concepts.
• •Accessibility Audits: Identify accessibility issues by observing how users with disabilities interact with your application.

⚠️ Warning: Replay is a powerful tool, but it's important to use it responsibly. Always obtain user consent before recording their interactions.

Frequently Asked Questions#

Is Replay free to use?#

Replay offers a free tier with limited features. Paid plans are available for more advanced functionality and higher usage limits.

How is Replay different from v0.dev?#

While v0.dev generates UI components from text prompts, Replay reconstructs working UI from video recordings of real user interactions. Replay focuses on understanding user behavior and recreating existing functionality, whereas v0.dev focuses on creating new UI components from scratch.

What types of applications can Replay be used with?#

Replay can be used with any application that can be screen recorded, including web applications, desktop applications, and mobile applications.

What kind of video quality is needed for Replay to work effectively?#

Clear video quality is crucial. Aim for at least 720p resolution with stable lighting and minimal background noise. The clearer the video, the more accurate the reconstruction will be.

How long does it take to generate a user manual with Replay?#

The time it takes to generate a user manual depends on the length and complexity of the video recording. Simple manuals can be generated in minutes, while more complex manuals may take longer.

---

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