How Replay AI converts PSD designs to React code with pixel-perfect precision

TL;DR: Replay AI leverages video analysis to reconstruct pixel-perfect React code from PSD designs, offering a behavior-driven alternative to traditional screenshot-to-code tools.

The promise of automatically converting designs into working code has long tantalized developers. While screenshot-to-code tools offer a tempting shortcut, they often fall short in capturing the behavior and intent behind the design. What if you could go beyond static images and use video to truly understand the user experience? That's where Replay AI comes in.

From PSD to React: The Replay AI Advantage#

Replay AI takes a revolutionary approach by analyzing video recordings of users interacting with PSD designs. Instead of simply converting pixels, Replay understands how the user navigates, clicks, and interacts with the interface. This "Behavior-Driven Reconstruction" allows Replay to generate React code that is not only visually accurate but also functionally complete.

Why Video? The Limitations of Screenshot-to-Code#

Screenshot-to-code tools rely solely on visual information. This means they often struggle with:

• •Dynamic elements: Animations, transitions, and interactive states are missed entirely.
• •Complex layouts: Recreating intricate designs with responsive behavior can be challenging.
• •User intent: The tool doesn't understand why a user clicked a button or navigated to a specific page.

Replay addresses these limitations by using video as the source of truth. By analyzing user behavior, Replay AI can accurately reconstruct the intended functionality and create a more robust and user-friendly React application.

How Replay AI Works: A Step-by-Step Guide#

Let's walk through the process of converting a PSD design to React code using Replay AI.

Step 1: Recording User Interaction#

Record a video of yourself (or a user) interacting with your PSD design. Be sure to:

• •Demonstrate all key interactions, such as button clicks, form submissions, and page navigation.
• •Clearly show the intended user flow.
• •Capture different states of the UI (e.g., hover, active, disabled).

💡 Pro Tip: Use a screen recording tool that captures high-quality video and audio. Clear audio can help Replay AI understand verbal cues and context.

Step 2: Uploading to Replay AI#

Upload the recorded video to the Replay AI platform. Replay supports various video formats and resolutions.

Step 3: Processing and Analysis#

Replay AI uses its advanced video analysis engine powered by Gemini to:

1. •Identify UI elements (buttons, text fields, images, etc.).
2. •Analyze user interactions (clicks, scrolls, form inputs).
3. •Infer the intended behavior and functionality.
4. •Reconstruct the UI as React components.

This process typically takes a few minutes, depending on the length and complexity of the video.

Step 4: Reviewing and Customizing the Generated Code#

Once the processing is complete, Replay AI generates a React codebase that includes:

• •React components with corresponding JSX markup.
• •CSS styles to match the visual design.
• •JavaScript logic to handle user interactions.
• •A product flow map visualizing the user journey.

Review the generated code and make any necessary adjustments. Replay provides a user-friendly interface for editing the code and fine-tuning the UI.

typescript
// Example of a generated React component
import React, { useState } from 'react';
import './Button.css';

interface ButtonProps {
  text: string;
  onClick: () => void;
}

const Button: React.FC<ButtonProps> = ({ text, onClick }) => {
  const [isHovered, setIsHovered] = useState(false);

  return (
    <button
      className={`button ${isHovered ? 'button-hover' : ''}`}
      onClick={onClick}
      onMouseEnter={() => setIsHovered(true)}
      onMouseLeave={() => setIsHovered(false)}
    >
      {text}
    </button>
  );
};

export default Button;

Step 5: Integrating with Your Project#

Download the generated code and integrate it into your existing React project. You can also leverage Replay's Supabase integration to connect your UI to a backend database.

Key Features of Replay AI#

• •Multi-page generation: Replay can generate code for entire websites or applications, not just single screens.
• •Supabase integration: Easily connect your UI to a Supabase backend for data storage and authentication.
• •Style injection: Customize the generated CSS styles to match your brand guidelines.
• •Product Flow maps: Visualize the user journey and identify potential bottlenecks.
• •Behavior-Driven Reconstruction: Replay understands WHAT users are trying to do, not just what they see.

Replay AI vs. Traditional Screenshot-to-Code Tools#

📝 Note: While screenshot-to-code tools are faster for very simple UIs, Replay AI provides superior results for complex designs and interactive applications.

Addressing Common Concerns#

Code Quality#

Replay AI generates clean, well-structured React code that is easy to understand and maintain. The code is also optimized for performance and accessibility.

Accuracy#

Replay AI achieves a high level of accuracy by analyzing user behavior and understanding the intended functionality. However, some manual adjustments may be necessary, especially for very complex designs.

Learning Curve#

While Replay AI is relatively easy to use, it does require some understanding of React and web development. However, the platform provides helpful documentation and tutorials to guide you through the process.

⚠️ Warning: Ensure the video quality is high and the interactions are clear. Poor video quality can affect the accuracy of the generated code.

Frequently Asked Questions#

Is Replay AI free to use?#

Replay AI offers a free trial with limited features. Paid plans are available for more advanced features and usage.

How is Replay AI different from v0.dev?#

While both tools aim to generate code from designs, Replay AI uses video analysis to understand user behavior, while v0.dev primarily relies on AI-powered code generation from text prompts and design inputs. Replay focuses on reconstructing existing designs accurately based on observed interactions, offering a more precise and behavior-driven approach.

What types of PSD designs can Replay AI convert?#

Replay AI can convert a wide range of PSD designs, including websites, mobile apps, and web applications. However, the complexity of the design and the clarity of the user interactions will affect the accuracy of the generated code.

Can I use Replay AI with other design tools besides PSD?#

While Replay AI is optimized for PSD designs, it can also be used with other design tools that allow for screen recording and user interaction simulation.

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