How to Convert A Figma Prototype Video Into A Next.js App With Tailwind CSS Integration

TL;DR: Learn how to use Replay to convert a Figma prototype video into a fully functional Next.js app with Tailwind CSS integration, leveraging behavior-driven reconstruction for accurate and efficient code generation.

From Figma Prototype Video to Functional Next.js App: A Step-by-Step Guide#

Creating a functional application from a Figma prototype often involves a tedious process of manual coding. Screenshot-to-code tools offer limited assistance, as they lack the ability to understand user interactions and application flow. This is where Replay shines. By analyzing video recordings of your Figma prototype, Replay uses behavior-driven reconstruction to generate a working Next.js application, complete with Tailwind CSS styling. This approach understands what the user is trying to accomplish, not just what they see on the screen.

This guide walks you through the process of converting a Figma prototype video into a production-ready Next.js app using Replay.

Understanding the Challenge: Beyond Screenshot-to-Code#

Traditional screenshot-to-code tools fall short because they only analyze static images. They don't capture the dynamic behavior of a user interacting with the prototype. This leads to incomplete or inaccurate code generation.

Replay overcomes these limitations by analyzing video. It understands the flow of the application, user interactions (clicks, form submissions), and state changes, resulting in more accurate and functional code.

Step-by-Step Conversion Process with Replay#

This tutorial assumes you have a Figma prototype video ready to be converted. The video should clearly demonstrate the user flows and interactions within your prototype.

Step 1: Preparing Your Figma Prototype Video#

Ensure your video is clear, well-lit, and captures all relevant interactions within your Figma prototype. The smoother and more comprehensive the video, the better Replay can understand the application's behavior.

💡 Pro Tip: Use a screen recording tool like QuickTime Player (macOS) or OBS Studio (Windows/macOS/Linux) to capture your Figma prototype in action. Aim for a resolution of at least 720p for optimal results.

Step 2: Uploading Your Video to Replay#

1. •Access Replay: Navigate to the Replay platform (https://replay.build).
2. •Upload Video: Click the "Upload Video" button and select your Figma prototype video file.
3. •Project Configuration: Provide a project name and select "Next.js" as the framework and "Tailwind CSS" as the styling library.

Step 3: Replay Analyzes and Reconstructs Your UI#

Replay's AI engine analyzes the video, identifying UI elements, user interactions, and application flow. This process may take a few minutes depending on the length and complexity of the video.

📝 Note: Replay's AI engine leverages Gemini to understand the nuances of your prototype's behavior, resulting in more accurate code generation.

Step 4: Reviewing and Refining the Generated Code#

Once the analysis is complete, Replay presents you with the generated Next.js code.

1. •Code Preview: Review the code for each page and component.
2. •Manual Adjustments: Make any necessary adjustments to the code. While Replay strives for accuracy, manual refinement may be required for complex interactions or edge cases.
3. •Style Injection: Replay intelligently injects Tailwind CSS classes to match the visual design of your Figma prototype. Review and modify these styles as needed to fine-tune the appearance.

Step 5: Integrating with Supabase (Optional)#

If your Figma prototype involves data management, Replay can integrate with Supabase to generate the necessary database schema and API endpoints.

1. •Connect to Supabase: Provide your Supabase API URL and API key.
2. •Schema Generation: Replay analyzes the data structures in your prototype and generates the corresponding Supabase schema.
3. •API Endpoint Creation: Replay creates API endpoints for data retrieval and manipulation, allowing your Next.js app to interact with your Supabase database.

Step 6: Downloading and Running Your Next.js App#

1. •Download Code: Download the generated Next.js project as a ZIP file.
2. •Extract and Install: Extract the ZIP file to your local machine and navigate to the project directory in your terminal. Run
   text

   npm install
   or
   text

   yarn install
   to install the project dependencies.
3. •Run the App: Start the Next.js development server by running
   text

   npm run dev
   or
   text

   yarn dev
   .
4. •Access the App: Open your web browser and navigate to
   text

   http://localhost:3000
   (or the port specified in your terminal) to view your newly generated Next.js application.

Step 7: Example Code Snippets#

Here's an example of a generated Next.js component with Tailwind CSS styling:

typescript
// components/Button.tsx
import React from 'react';

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

const Button: React.FC<ButtonProps> = ({ text, onClick }) => {
  return (
    <button
      className="bg-blue-500 hover:bg-blue-700 text-white font-bold py-2 px-4 rounded"
      onClick={onClick}
    >
      {text}
    </button>
  );
};

export default Button;

And here's an example of a generated API route for fetching data from Supabase:

typescript
// pages/api/get-data.ts
import { createClient } from '@supabase/supabase-js';
import type { NextApiRequest, NextApiResponse } from 'next';

const supabaseUrl = process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_SUPABASE_URL;
const supabaseKey = process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_SUPABASE_ANON_KEY;

const supabase = createClient(supabaseUrl!, supabaseKey!);

export default async function handler(
  req: NextApiRequest,
  res: NextApiResponse
) {
  const { data, error } = await supabase
    .from('your_table')
    .select('*');

  if (error) {
    return res.status(500).json({ error: error.message });
  }

  res.status(200).json(data);
}

⚠️ Warning: Remember to configure your environment variables (e.g., Supabase URL and API key) before running the application. Create a

text

.env.local

file in your project root and add the necessary variables.

Benefits of Using Replay#

• •Rapid Prototyping: Accelerate your development process by automatically generating code from your Figma prototypes.
• •Improved Accuracy: Behavior-driven reconstruction ensures that the generated code accurately reflects the intended behavior of the application.
• •Seamless Integration: Integrates seamlessly with Next.js, Tailwind CSS, and Supabase.
• •Reduced Manual Coding: Minimizes the amount of manual coding required to translate your designs into functional code.
• •Product Flow Maps: Replay automatically generates a visual representation of the user flows within your application, making it easier to understand and optimize the user experience.

Frequently Asked Questions#

Is Replay free to use?#

Replay offers a free tier with limited usage. Paid plans are available for increased usage and access to advanced features. Check the Replay website for the most up-to-date pricing information.

How is Replay different from v0.dev?#

While v0.dev is a text-to-code tool, Replay analyzes video recordings of user interactions to generate code. This behavior-driven approach allows Replay to understand the intended functionality of the application, resulting in more accurate and complete code generation. Replay excels at converting existing prototypes (like Figma videos) into functional code, while v0.dev focuses on generating UI components from textual descriptions.

What types of Figma prototypes work best with Replay?#

Replay works best with Figma prototypes that clearly demonstrate the user flows and interactions within the application. The video should capture all relevant UI elements, user inputs, and state changes.

Can I customize the generated code?#

Yes, you can fully customize the generated code. Replay provides a starting point, but you have complete control over the final output.

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