How to Convert a Complex Chatbot UI Video to Functional React Code Using Replay AI (2026)

TL;DR: Learn how Replay utilizes behavior-driven reconstruction to convert a video of a complex chatbot UI into functional React code, surpassing traditional screenshot-to-code methods.

The future of UI development isn't about pixel-perfect replication of static images. It's about understanding user intent and translating behavior into working code. Screenshot-to-code tools are relics of the past, blind to the dynamic nature of user interactions. They only see what is, not what happens. We're in 2026, and the game has changed.

The Problem with Screenshot-to-Code: A False Promise#

Traditional screenshot-to-code tools offer a tempting shortcut, but they fall apart with anything beyond the simplest UI. They can't handle:

• •Dynamic content updates
• •Complex user flows across multiple pages
• •State management and interactivity

Essentially, they create static mockups, not functional applications. You end up spending more time fixing their output than you would writing the code from scratch.

Replay: Behavior-Driven Reconstruction - The Video-to-Code Revolution#

Replay takes a fundamentally different approach. Instead of analyzing static images, Replay analyzes video. This allows it to understand user behavior, track state changes, and reconstruct the underlying logic of the UI.

Think of it as "behavior-driven reconstruction." Replay treats the video as the source of truth, capturing the user's intent and translating it into working code. This unlocks possibilities that screenshot-to-code tools can only dream of.

Key Features That Set Replay Apart#

• •Video Input: Replay accepts video recordings as input, capturing dynamic interactions.
• •Multi-Page Generation: Seamlessly reconstructs UIs spanning multiple pages and flows.
• •Supabase Integration: Integrates directly with Supabase for data persistence and authentication.
• •Style Injection: Automatically applies consistent styling based on the video's visual cues.
• •Product Flow Maps: Generates visual representations of user flows based on observed behavior.

Converting a Complex Chatbot UI: A Step-by-Step Guide#

Let's walk through converting a video of a complex chatbot UI into functional React code using Replay. This chatbot features dynamic message rendering, user input handling, and integration with a backend API.

Step 1: Recording the Chatbot Interaction#

First, record a video of yourself interacting with the chatbot. Ensure the video captures:

• •Different message types (text, images, buttons)
• •User input and responses
• •Loading states and error handling
• •Navigation between different chatbot features

The clearer and more comprehensive the video, the better the resulting code will be.

Step 2: Uploading the Video to Replay#

Navigate to the Replay web interface and upload the recorded video. Replay will automatically begin analyzing the video and extracting key information about the UI and user interactions.

Step 3: Configuring Replay Settings#

Before generating the code, configure the following settings:

• •Framework: Select "React" as the target framework.
• •Styling: Choose your preferred styling method (e.g., CSS Modules, Styled Components, Tailwind CSS).
• •Data Source: Connect to your Supabase instance if the chatbot interacts with a database.
• •API Endpoints: Specify any API endpoints the chatbot uses for data fetching or processing.

Step 4: Generating the React Code#

Click the "Generate Code" button. Replay will process the video and generate a complete React codebase for the chatbot UI. This includes:

• •React components for each UI element
• •State management using hooks (e.g.,
  text

  useState
  ,
  text

  useEffect
  )
• •Event handlers for user interactions
• •API calls for data fetching and processing
• •Styling based on the video's visual cues

Step 5: Reviewing and Refining the Code#

Once the code is generated, review it carefully. Replay provides a visual editor that allows you to:

• •Inspect the generated components
• •Modify the code directly
• •Test the UI in a live preview

💡 Pro Tip: Use the visual editor to fine-tune the styling and behavior of the chatbot UI. Replay's AI assistance can suggest improvements and optimizations.

Step 6: Integrating with Your Backend#

Connect the generated React code to your chatbot's backend API. This involves:

• •Updating the API calls to point to your actual endpoints
• •Implementing any necessary authentication or authorization logic
• •Handling data persistence using Supabase or your preferred database

Example Code Snippet: Rendering a Chatbot Message#

Here's an example of the React code Replay might generate for rendering a chatbot message:

typescript
import React from 'react';
import styles from './ChatMessage.module.css';

interface ChatMessageProps {
  text: string;
  isUser: boolean;
}

const ChatMessage: React.FC<ChatMessageProps> = ({ text, isUser }) => {
  return (
    <div className={`${styles.message} ${isUser ? styles.userMessage : styles.botMessage}`}>
      <p>{text}</p>
    </div>
  );
};

export default ChatMessage;

This code snippet demonstrates how Replay automatically generates React components with appropriate styling and props based on the video analysis.

Example Code Snippet: Handling User Input#

Here's an example of the React code Replay might generate for handling user input in the chatbot:

typescript
import React, { useState } from 'react';

const ChatInput = () => {
  const [message, setMessage] = useState('');

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

  const handleSendMessage = () => {
    // Send message to backend API
    console.log('Sending message:', message);
    setMessage('');
  };

  return (
    <div>
      <input type="text" value={message} onChange={handleInputChange} />
      <button onClick={handleSendMessage}>Send</button>
    </div>
  );
};

export default ChatInput;

This code snippet demonstrates how Replay automatically generates state management and event handlers for user input, based on the video analysis.

Replay vs. Traditional Screenshot-to-Code Tools: A Comparison#

⚠️ Warning: Screenshot-to-code tools often generate brittle and unmaintainable code. Replay's behavior-driven approach results in more robust and scalable applications.

Benefits of Using Replay for Chatbot UI Development#

• •Faster Development: Significantly reduces the time required to build chatbot UIs.
• •Higher Accuracy: Generates more accurate and functional code compared to screenshot-to-code tools.
• •Improved Maintainability: Produces clean and well-structured code that is easy to maintain and extend.
• •Enhanced Collaboration: Facilitates collaboration between designers and developers by providing a shared understanding of the UI's behavior.
• •Reduced Costs: Lowers development costs by automating the code generation process.

Common Challenges and How Replay Addresses Them#

• •Complex Animations: Replay analyzes the video to understand the timing and logic of animations, generating code that accurately reproduces them.
• •Dynamic Data: Replay integrates with data sources like Supabase to handle dynamic data fetching and updates.
• •User Authentication: Replay can generate code for handling user authentication and authorization based on the video's observed behavior.

📝 Note: While Replay automates much of the code generation process, some manual refinement may still be required, especially for highly complex or unconventional UIs.

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?#

Replay analyzes video, capturing dynamic interactions and user intent. v0.dev relies on text prompts and generates code based on desired outcomes, not observed behavior. Replay excels at replicating existing UIs, while v0.dev is better suited for creating new UIs from scratch.

What types of videos can Replay process?#

Replay can process any video recording of a UI interaction. The video should be clear and well-lit, with minimal distractions.

What frameworks does Replay support?#

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

How secure is Replay?#

Replay uses industry-standard security measures to protect user data and prevent unauthorized access. Video uploads are encrypted and stored securely.

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