Generating Vue.js Components from UI Video with Replay AI and TypeScript

TL;DR: Replay uses AI-powered behavior-driven reconstruction to generate fully functional Vue.js components with TypeScript support directly from UI screen recordings, offering a faster and more accurate alternative to screenshot-based code generation.

The "screenshot-to-code" promise has largely fallen flat. Static images can't capture the dynamic essence of user interactions. They miss critical context like animations, state changes, and the underlying intent behind each click and scroll. We need a better way to bridge the gap between design and development.

That's where video comes in. Video captures the behavior of the UI, not just its appearance. And that's precisely what Replay leverages to generate high-quality, working Vue.js components with TypeScript.

The Problem with Screenshots: A Static View of a Dynamic World#

Traditional screenshot-to-code tools are inherently limited. They treat UI as a series of static images, failing to understand the dynamic behavior that defines modern web applications. This leads to:

• •Inaccurate component reconstruction
• •Missing event handlers and state management
• •Difficulty replicating complex interactions
• •A massive amount of manual tweaking to get code working

Consider a simple dropdown menu. A screenshot only shows the menu in a single state (either open or closed). It doesn't capture the click event that triggers the menu, the animation that unfolds, or the underlying data that populates the options.

Replay solves this by analyzing the entire video sequence, understanding the user's actions and the corresponding UI responses. It's behavior-driven reconstruction, and it changes everything.

Replay: Video-to-Code for the Modern Web#

Replay analyzes video recordings of UI interactions to generate working Vue.js components. By understanding user behavior, Replay can accurately reconstruct the UI, including:

• •Component structure and hierarchy
• •Event handlers and data binding
• •Animations and transitions
• •State management logic

This results in code that is not only visually accurate but also functionally complete, significantly reducing the need for manual adjustments.

typescript
// Example of a generated Vue.js component with TypeScript using Replay
<template>
  <button @click="toggleDropdown">
    {{ buttonText }}
    <ul v-if="isOpen">
      <li v-for="item in items" :key="item.id" @click="selectItem(item)">
        {{ item.label }}
      </li>
    </ul>
  </button>
</template>

<script lang="ts">
import { defineComponent, ref } from 'vue';

export default defineComponent({
  name: 'CustomDropdown',
  props: {
    items: {
      type: Array,
      required: true,
    },
    buttonText: {
      type: String,
      default: 'Select an option',
    },
  },
  setup(props) {
    const isOpen = ref(false);

    const toggleDropdown = () => {
      isOpen.value = !isOpen.value;
    };

    const selectItem = (item: any) => {
      console.log('Selected item:', item);
      isOpen.value = false;
    };

    return {
      isOpen,
      toggleDropdown,
      selectItem,
    };
  },
});
</script>

This code, generated by Replay, includes the template, event handlers (

), conditional rendering (), and data binding (). It's a fully functional Vue.js component ready to be integrated into your application.

Key Features of Replay#

• •Multi-page generation: Replay can generate code for entire product flows, not just single screens.
• •Supabase integration: Seamlessly connect your generated components to your Supabase backend.
• •Style injection: Apply consistent styling to your components with CSS-in-JS or traditional CSS.
• •Product Flow maps: Visualize the user journey and component interactions within your application.

Replay vs. Traditional Screenshot-to-Code Tools#

The following table highlights the key differences between Replay and traditional screenshot-to-code tools:

💡 Pro Tip: Use high-quality video recordings for optimal results with Replay. Clear visuals and consistent interactions lead to more accurate code generation.

Generating Vue.js Components with Replay: A Step-by-Step Guide#

Here's a simplified guide to generating Vue.js components from UI video using Replay:

Step 1: Record Your UI Interaction#

Use a screen recording tool (like QuickTime, OBS Studio, or Loom) to record the UI interaction you want to convert into a Vue.js component. Make sure the recording is clear and captures all relevant actions.

Step 2: Upload Your Video to Replay#

Upload the recorded video to the Replay platform. Replay will automatically analyze the video and begin the reconstruction process.

Step 3: Configure the Output Settings#

Specify that you want to generate a Vue.js component with TypeScript. You can also configure other settings, such as styling options and Supabase integration.

Step 4: Review and Refine the Generated Code#

Once Replay has finished processing the video, review the generated code. You may need to make minor adjustments to ensure the component functions exactly as intended.

Step 5: Integrate the Component into Your Application#

Copy the generated code into your Vue.js project and integrate the component into your application.

typescript
// Example of integrating a generated component
import MyGeneratedComponent from './components/MyGeneratedComponent.vue';

export default {
  components: {
    MyGeneratedComponent,
  },
  template: `
    <div>
      <h1>Welcome!</h1>
      <MyGeneratedComponent />
    </div>
  `,
};

⚠️ Warning: While Replay significantly reduces the need for manual coding, it's essential to review and test the generated code thoroughly to ensure it meets your specific requirements.

Beyond Basic Components: Replay's Advanced Capabilities#

Replay isn't just for generating simple UI elements. Its behavior-driven reconstruction allows it to handle complex interactions and multi-page flows. Here are some examples:

• •E-commerce checkout flows: Replay can generate the entire checkout flow, including address forms, payment processing, and order confirmation.
• •Dashboard interfaces: Replay can reconstruct complex dashboards with interactive charts, data tables, and filtering options.
• •Interactive tutorials: Replay can generate interactive tutorials with step-by-step instructions and visual cues.

The Future of UI Development: Behavior-Driven Code Generation#

Replay represents a significant step forward in UI development. By leveraging video analysis and AI-powered reconstruction, it offers a faster, more accurate, and more efficient way to generate working code. As AI technology continues to evolve, we can expect even more sophisticated tools that further automate the development process.

📝 Note: Replay is constantly being updated with new features and improvements. Check the Replay documentation for the latest information.

Frequently Asked Questions#

Is Replay free to use?#

Replay offers a free tier with limited usage. Paid plans are available for users who need more features or higher usage limits.

How is Replay different from v0.dev?#

v0.dev relies on AI to generate UI components from text prompts. Replay, on the other hand, generates components from video recordings of existing UI interactions, making it ideal for replicating and extending existing designs. Replay focuses on behavioral accuracy, not just aesthetic similarity.

What video formats are supported?#

Replay supports common video formats such as MP4, MOV, and WebM.

Can I customize the generated code?#

Yes, you can customize the generated code to meet your specific requirements. Replay provides options for configuring styling, data binding, and other aspects of the component.

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