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

TL;DR: Forget screenshot-to-code – Replay AI uses video analysis to reconstruct functional React components and product flows directly from UI animation recordings.

The future of UI development isn't about static mocks or pixel-perfect recreations. It's about understanding behavior. Stop building UIs from images; start building them from actions. The old way is dead.

The Problem with Screenshot-to-Code: It's Skin Deep#

Screenshot-to-code tools have been around for a while, promising to magically transform static images into working UI. But they fundamentally misunderstand the nature of user interfaces. A screenshot is a single frame in a dynamic movie. It doesn't capture the why behind the UI – the animations, transitions, and user interactions that define the user experience.

These tools are glorified OCR readers for UI elements. They can identify buttons and text fields, but they can't understand the flow of a multi-page application or the nuances of a complex animation. This leads to brittle, incomplete code that requires significant manual rework.

Replay: Behavior-Driven Reconstruction#

Replay takes a radically different approach. Instead of relying on static images, Replay analyzes video recordings of UI animations and user interactions. It uses a proprietary "Behavior-Driven Reconstruction" engine powered by Gemini to understand the intent behind the UI. What are users trying to accomplish? What steps do they take to get there? How do the UI elements respond to their actions?

Replay doesn't just see pixels; it sees behavior. This allows it to generate more complete, functional, and maintainable code.

Key Features#

Replay isn't just another screenshot-to-code tool. It's a paradigm shift. Here's what sets it apart:

• •Multi-page Generation: Replay can analyze videos that span multiple pages and interactions, reconstructing entire product flows.
• •Supabase Integration: Seamlessly integrate your generated code with Supabase for backend functionality.
• •Style Injection: Apply consistent styling across your components with customizable style injection.
• •Product Flow Maps: Visualize the user journey with automatically generated product flow maps.

Replay vs. The Competition: A Head-to-Head Comparison#

Let's see how Replay stacks up against the traditional screenshot-to-code tools and even the newer text-to-code platforms.

📝 Note: Text-to-code tools are powerful, but they require precise and detailed prompts. Replay automates much of this process by analyzing user behavior directly.

Converting a UI Animation Video to Functional React Code: A Step-by-Step Guide#

Ready to see Replay in action? Let's walk through the process of converting a UI animation video into functional React code.

Step 1: Record Your UI Animation#

Use your favorite screen recording tool (e.g., Loom, OBS) to capture a video of your UI animation. Make sure the video is clear and shows all the relevant interactions and transitions. For best results, keep the recording focused on the specific UI element or flow you want to reconstruct.

💡 Pro Tip: Speak clearly during the recording to describe the intended behavior. This can help Replay better understand your intent.

Step 2: Upload to Replay#

Navigate to the Replay platform and upload your video. Replay will automatically analyze the video and extract the relevant UI elements and interactions.

Step 3: Review and Refine#

Replay will present you with a reconstructed UI, along with the generated React code. Review the code and make any necessary adjustments. You can customize the styling, adjust the component structure, and add any missing functionality.

Step 4: Integrate with Your Project#

Copy the generated React code into your project and integrate it with your existing codebase. Replay also provides options for integrating with Supabase for backend functionality.

Example: Reconstructing a Loading Animation#

Let's say you have a video of a custom loading animation. Replay can analyze the video and generate the following React code:

typescript
// Generated by Replay
import React, { useState, useEffect } from 'react';
import styled, { keyframes } from 'styled-components';

const rotate = keyframes`
  from {
    transform: rotate(0deg);
  }

  to {
    transform: rotate(360deg);
  }
`;

const Spinner = styled.div`
  display: inline-block;
  width: 50px;
  height: 50px;
  border: 3px solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3);
  border-radius: 50%;
  border-top-color: #007bff;
  animation: ${rotate} 1s linear infinite;
`;

const LoadingAnimation = () => {
  const [isLoading, setIsLoading] = useState(true);

  useEffect(() => {
    // Simulate loading
    setTimeout(() => {
      setIsLoading(false);
    }, 3000);
  }, []);

  return (
    <div>
      {isLoading ? <Spinner /> : <div>Content Loaded!</div>}
    </div>
  );
};

export default LoadingAnimation;

Replay not only identifies the visual elements of the animation but also infers the underlying logic (e.g., the

state and the function).

Style Injection: Maintaining Consistency#

Replay allows you to inject custom styles into your generated components, ensuring a consistent look and feel across your application. You can define your styles using CSS, styled-components, or any other styling library.

For example, you can define a global style for buttons:

javascript
// Style Injection Example
const buttonStyle = {
  backgroundColor: '#007bff',
  color: 'white',
  padding: '10px 20px',
  borderRadius: '5px',
  border: 'none',
  cursor: 'pointer',
};

// Replay will automatically apply this style to all buttons in the generated code.

Product Flow Maps: Visualizing the User Journey#

Replay automatically generates product flow maps from your video recordings, providing a visual representation of the user journey. This can be invaluable for understanding how users interact with your application and identifying areas for improvement.

[IMAGE: Example of a Product Flow Map generated by Replay]

The product flow map shows the different pages or states in your application and the transitions between them. You can use this map to:

• •Identify common user paths
• •Spot potential bottlenecks
• •Optimize the user experience

The Future is Video-to-Code#

Screenshot-to-code is a dead end. It's time to embrace a new paradigm: video-to-code. Replay represents the future of UI development, enabling you to build functional, behavior-driven UIs with unprecedented speed and accuracy. Stop wasting time recreating static mocks. Start building UIs from actions.

⚠️ Warning: Replay is a powerful tool, but it's not a magic bullet. You'll still need to review and refine the generated code to ensure it meets your specific requirements.

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. Check out Replay's pricing page for the latest details.

How is Replay different from v0.dev?#

While both Replay and v0.dev aim to accelerate UI development, they differ significantly in their approach. v0.dev relies on text prompts to generate code, requiring users to have a strong understanding of prompt engineering. Replay, on the other hand, analyzes video recordings of UI animations and user interactions, making it easier to capture complex behavior and generate functional code without the need for detailed prompts. Replay understands the intent, not just the description.

What types of UI animations can Replay handle?#

Replay can handle a wide range of UI animations, including:

• •Loading animations
• •Transition animations
• •Interactive animations
• •Micro-interactions

What frameworks does Replay support?#

Currently, Replay primarily supports React. Support for other frameworks is planned for future releases.

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