How to Convert a High-Fidelity Figma Prototype Video to Functional React Code Using Replay AI

TL;DR: Replay lets you convert Figma prototype videos into functional React code by understanding user behavior, offering a faster and more accurate alternative to traditional screenshot-based tools.

From Figma Video to React Code: A Developer's Guide with Replay#

Converting design prototypes into functional code is a constant bottleneck in web development. While tools exist to generate code from static designs, they often fall short when dealing with complex interactions and dynamic user flows. What if you could simply record a video of your Figma prototype in action and have it translated into working React components? That's the power of Replay.

Replay takes a radically different approach, using "Behavior-Driven Reconstruction" to analyze video recordings of user interactions. This allows it to understand what the user is trying to achieve, not just what the screen looks like at a particular moment. This results in more accurate and maintainable code generation compared to traditional methods.

The Problem with Screenshot-Based Tools#

Screenshot-to-code tools are a dime a dozen, but they all suffer from the same fundamental limitation: they only see static images. They can identify elements and their visual properties, but they lack the context of user behavior. This leads to:

• •Incomplete Functionality: Missing event handlers, state management, and data connections.
• •Brittle Code: Code that breaks easily when the design changes slightly.
• •Manual Rework: Significant manual effort required to make the generated code truly functional.

Replay overcomes these limitations by analyzing video, the source of truth for user experience.

Replay: Behavior-Driven Code Generation#

Replay utilizes advanced AI, powered by Gemini, to analyze video recordings of your Figma prototypes. It identifies UI elements, understands user interactions, and reconstructs the underlying code with surprising accuracy. Key features include:

• •Multi-Page Generation: Replay can handle complex, multi-page flows, unlike tools limited to single screens.
• •Supabase Integration: Seamlessly integrate your generated code with Supabase for backend functionality.
• •Style Injection: Replay can inject CSS styles to match your design specifications.
• •Product Flow Maps: Visualize the user flow captured in your video.

💡 Pro Tip: Record your Figma prototype in a clear, well-lit environment for optimal results. Avoid rapid mouse movements and keep interactions deliberate for better analysis.

Converting Your Figma Prototype Video: A Step-by-Step Guide#

Here's how to convert your Figma prototype video into functional React code using Replay:

Step 1: Record Your Figma Prototype#

Use your favorite screen recording tool (QuickTime, OBS, etc.) to record a video of your Figma prototype in action. Make sure to:

1. •Clearly demonstrate all intended user flows.
2. •Include all relevant interactions (button clicks, form submissions, navigation).
3. •Speak aloud, narrating your actions and the expected outcomes. This provides valuable context for Replay's AI.

Step 2: Upload to Replay#

Navigate to the Replay platform and upload your recorded video. Replay supports common video formats like MP4 and MOV.

Step 3: Configure Generation Settings#

Specify the desired output format (React), choose whether to enable Supabase integration, and configure style injection options.

📝 Note: Replay can automatically detect UI elements and suggest appropriate component names. You can customize these suggestions to improve code readability.

Step 4: Review and Refine#

Replay will generate the React code based on your video. Review the generated code and make any necessary adjustments. Pay particular attention to:

• •Event Handlers: Ensure that all user interactions are correctly handled.
• •State Management: Verify that state variables are properly updated.
• •Data Connections: Confirm that data is being fetched and displayed correctly.

Step 5: Integrate into Your Project#

Copy the generated React code into your project and start building!

Example: Generating a Simple Counter Component#

Let's say you have a Figma prototype of a simple counter component with increment and decrement buttons. You record a video of yourself clicking these buttons. Replay can generate the following React code:

typescript
// Generated by Replay
import React, { useState } from 'react';

const Counter = () => {
  const [count, setCount] = useState(0);

  const increment = () => {
    setCount(count + 1);
  };

  const decrement = () => {
    setCount(count - 1);
  };

  return (
    <div>
      <button onClick={decrement}>-</button>
      <span>{count}</span>
      <button onClick={increment}>+</button>
    </div>
  );
};

export default Counter;

This is a simplified example, but it demonstrates Replay's ability to generate functional React code from a video recording.

⚠️ Warning: While Replay strives for high accuracy, manual review is always recommended to ensure the generated code meets your specific requirements. Complex interactions or unusual design patterns might require some adjustments.

Replay vs. Traditional Code Generation#

Here's a comparison of Replay with traditional code generation tools, highlighting the key advantages of behavior-driven reconstruction:

Real-World Use Cases#

Replay is ideal for a variety of use cases, including:

• •Rapid Prototyping: Quickly convert initial design ideas into working code.
• •A/B Testing: Generate code for different variations of a design to test user behavior.
• •Legacy Code Modernization: Reconstruct code from video recordings of existing applications.
• •User Story Implementation: Translate user stories into functional components.

Frequently Asked Questions#

Is Replay free to use?#

Replay offers a free tier with limited features. Paid plans are available for advanced features and increased usage. Check the Replay pricing page for details.

How is Replay different from v0.dev?#

While both Replay and v0.dev aim to automate code generation, they differ in their approach. v0.dev uses AI to generate code based on text prompts, whereas Replay analyzes video recordings of user interactions. Replay excels at capturing complex user flows and dynamic interactions, providing a more accurate representation of the intended functionality.

What types of Figma prototypes work best with Replay?#

Replay works best with well-defined Figma prototypes that clearly demonstrate the intended user flows and interactions. Prototypes with realistic data and animations will yield the best results.

What if the generated code isn't perfect?#

Replay is designed to significantly reduce the amount of manual coding required, but it's not a magic bullet. The generated code might require some adjustments, especially for complex interactions or unusual design patterns. However, the time saved compared to traditional coding methods is substantial.

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