Generating SvelteKit Forms from Video Demos

TL;DR: Replay lets you generate fully functional SvelteKit forms directly from video recordings of user interactions, drastically speeding up development and ensuring accurate representation of intended behavior.

The Problem with Traditional Form Development#

Building forms is a necessary evil in web development. We spend countless hours meticulously crafting HTML, wiring up JavaScript validation, and integrating with backend APIs. This process is tedious, error-prone, and often results in forms that don't quite capture the intended user experience. Existing solutions often rely on static screenshots or manual configuration, leading to inaccuracies and missed edge cases. What if you could show the computer what you want, and it would build it for you?

Enter Replay.

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

Replay takes a revolutionary approach: behavior-driven reconstruction. Instead of relying on static images, Replay analyzes video recordings of user interactions. This allows it to understand the intent behind the interaction, not just the visual representation. This is especially powerful for complex forms with dynamic behavior, conditional logic, and intricate validation rules. Replay uses advanced AI models, powered by Gemini, to reconstruct working UI components from these videos, dramatically accelerating the development process.

How Replay Differs from Screenshot-to-Code Tools#

Generating SvelteKit Forms with Replay: A Step-by-Step Guide#

Here's how you can use Replay to generate SvelteKit forms from video demos:

Step 1: Record Your Form Interaction#

Record a video of yourself interacting with a form, either a prototype or an existing form you want to recreate. Make sure the video clearly shows all the form fields, interactions (typing, clicking, selecting), and any validation errors or feedback. The more comprehensive the video, the better the generated form will be.

💡 Pro Tip: Clearly articulate your intentions in the video. For example, say "I'm entering an invalid email address" while doing so. This helps Replay understand the desired validation behavior.

Step 2: Upload the Video to Replay#

Upload the video to the Replay platform. Replay will automatically analyze the video and extract the relevant UI elements and interactions.

Step 3: Review and Refine the Generated Code#

Replay generates SvelteKit code for your form. Review the code to ensure it accurately reflects the intended behavior. You can then refine the generated code by adjusting styles, adding custom validation rules, or modifying the form layout.

Here's an example of the kind of SvelteKit code Replay can generate:

svelte
<script lang="ts">
  import { enhance } from '$app/forms';
  import { invalidateAll } from '$app/navigation';
  import { applyAction } from '$app/forms';

  let name = '';
  let email = '';
  let message = '';
  let formError = '';

  async function handleSubmit() {
    if (!name || !email || !message) {
      formError = 'Please fill in all fields.';
      return;
    }

    if (!/^[^\s@]+@[^\s@]+\.[^\s@]+$/.test(email)) {
      formError = 'Please enter a valid email address.';
      return;
    }

    formError = ''; // Clear any previous errors

    const response = await fetch('/api/contact', {
      method: 'POST',
      headers: {
        'Content-Type': 'application/json'
      },
      body: JSON.stringify({ name, email, message })
    });

    if (response.ok) {
      name = '';
      email = '';
      message = '';
      alert('Message sent successfully!');
      await invalidateAll(); // Refresh data on the page
    } else {
      formError = 'An error occurred while sending your message.';
    }
  }

  // Enhance the form for progressive enhancement
  const enhancedSubmit = enhance(
    document.querySelector('form')!,
    (form) => {
      return async ({ result, update }) => {
        if (result.type === 'success') {
          await update();
        }
      };
    }
  );
</script>

<form use:enhancedSubmit on:submit|preventDefault={handleSubmit}>
  {#if formError}
    <p class="error">{formError}</p>
  {/if}

  <label for="name">Name:</label>
  <input type="text" id="name" bind:value={name} />

  <label for="email">Email:</label>
  <input type="email" id="email" bind:value={email} />

  <label for="message">Message:</label>
  <textarea id="message" bind:value={message}></textarea>

  <button type="submit">Send</button>
</form>

<style>
  form {
    display: flex;
    flex-direction: column;
    max-width: 400px;
    margin: 0 auto;
  }

  label {
    margin-top: 10px;
  }

  input,
  textarea {
    padding: 8px;
    margin-bottom: 10px;
    border: 1px solid #ccc;
    border-radius: 4px;
  }

  button {
    padding: 10px 20px;
    background-color: #007bff;
    color: white;
    border: none;
    border-radius: 4px;
    cursor: pointer;
  }

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

  .error {
    color: red;
  }
</style>

📝 Note: This is a simplified example. Replay can handle much more complex forms with advanced validation, conditional rendering, and integration with backend services.

Step 4: Integrate with Your SvelteKit Application#

Copy the generated code into your SvelteKit application. You can then customize the form further to match your specific design requirements and integrate it with your backend API.

Advanced Features of Replay#

Replay offers several advanced features that make it a powerful tool for generating SvelteKit forms:

• •Multi-Page Generation: Replay can generate code for multi-page forms, capturing complex workflows and user journeys.
• •Supabase Integration: Seamlessly integrate your forms with Supabase for data storage and authentication.
• •Style Injection: Inject custom CSS styles to match your application's design.
• •Product Flow Maps: Visualize the user flow through your form, identifying potential bottlenecks and areas for improvement.

Benefits of Using Replay#

• •Increased Development Speed: Generate working forms in minutes instead of hours.
• •Improved Accuracy: Capture the intended user experience more accurately.
• •Reduced Errors: Minimize manual coding errors and validation issues.
• •Enhanced Collaboration: Easily share video demos and generated code with your team.
• •Better User Experience: Create forms that are more intuitive and user-friendly.

⚠️ Warning: While Replay significantly accelerates form development, it's crucial to review and refine the generated code to ensure it meets your specific requirements and security standards.

Real-World Use Cases#

Replay can be used in a variety of real-world scenarios:

• •Rapid Prototyping: Quickly create prototypes of complex forms for user testing and feedback.
• •Legacy System Migration: Recreate forms from legacy systems without having to manually rewrite the code.
• •A/B Testing: Generate variations of forms for A/B testing to optimize conversion rates.
• •Documentation and Training: Create interactive demos and training materials for new users.

typescript
// Example of using Replay's generated code to handle form submission
async function submitForm(data: FormData) {
  try {
    const response = await fetch('/api/submit', {
      method: 'POST',
      body: data,
    });

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

    const result = await response.json();
    console.log('Form submission successful:', result);
    // Handle success (e.g., display a success message)
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Form submission failed:', error);
    // Handle error (e.g., display an error message)
  }
}

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 pricing page for details.

How is Replay different from v0.dev?#

While v0.dev focuses on generating UI components from text prompts, Replay uses video analysis to understand user behavior and generate fully functional code, including dynamic form behavior and validation. Replay excels at capturing the nuances of user interaction that text prompts often miss.

Can Replay handle complex validation rules?#

Yes, Replay can infer complex validation rules from video recordings. You can also customize the generated code to add your own custom validation logic.

What frameworks does Replay support?#

Currently, Replay supports SvelteKit, React, and Vue.js. Support for other frameworks is planned for the future.

How accurate is the generated code?#

The accuracy of the generated code depends on the quality of the video recording. Clear, well-articulated videos will result in more accurate code. Replay also provides tools to review and refine the generated code.

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