TL;DR: Replay AI leverages video analysis to reconstruct functional React code from UI design recordings, enabling rapid prototyping and development.
The Holy Grail: Video-to-Code Finally Achieved#
Screenshot-to-code tools have been around for a while, promising to bridge the gap between design and development. But they've always fallen short. Why? Because they only see the image, not the intent. They can't understand the flow, the user interaction, the behavior. This is where video-to-code changes everything. Replay analyzes video recordings of UI designs to generate functional React code, understanding the why behind the pixels. This unlocks a new level of efficiency and accuracy in UI development.
Why Video Matters: Behavior-Driven Reconstruction#
Replay's core innovation is Behavior-Driven Reconstruction. We don't just look at static images; we analyze the entire video recording. This allows us to understand:
- •User flows across multiple pages
- •Interactive elements and their behavior
- •Data inputs and outputs
- •Overall product logic
This deep understanding is crucial for generating code that actually works, not just code that looks right.
Replay vs. The Competition: A Head-to-Head Comparison#
| Feature | Screenshot-to-Code | Low-Code Platforms | Replay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Input Source | Screenshots | UI Components | Video |
| Behavior Analysis | ❌ | Partial (limited to component interactions) | ✅ |
| Multi-Page Generation | ❌ | Limited | ✅ |
| Code Quality | Basic, often requires significant manual editing | Can be verbose and difficult to customize | Clean, React-based, optimized for maintainability |
| Learning Curve | Low | Medium | Low |
| Integration | Limited | Often vendor-locked | Supabase, Style Injection, and more |
| Understanding User Intent | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
Building a Functional UI from a Video: A Step-by-Step Guide#
Let's walk through a practical example: converting a video recording of a simple e-commerce checkout flow into functional React code using Replay.
Step 1: Upload and Analyze Your Video#
First, upload your UI design video to the Replay platform. Replay's AI engine will analyze the video, identifying UI elements, user interactions, and data flows. This process typically takes a few minutes, depending on the video length and complexity.
💡 Pro Tip: Ensure your video is clear, well-lit, and focuses on the UI interactions. A stable recording is key to accurate reconstruction.
Step 2: Review and Refine the Product Flow Map#
Replay generates a Product Flow map, visually representing the different pages and interactions within your UI. Review this map to ensure accuracy. You can make minor adjustments to correct any misinterpretations.
📝 Note: The Product Flow map is a critical step. It allows you to visualize and validate Replay's understanding of your UI's logic.
Step 3: Generate the React Code#
With the Product Flow map validated, initiate the code generation process. Replay will generate clean, functional React code for each page and component in your UI.
typescript// Example: Generated React component for a product item import React from 'react'; interface ProductItemProps { name: string; price: number; imageUrl: string; onAddToCart: () => void; } const ProductItem: React.FC<ProductItemProps> = ({ name, price, imageUrl, onAddToCart }) => { return ( <div className="product-item"> <img src={imageUrl} alt={name} /> <h3>{name}</h3> <p>${price.toFixed(2)}</p> <button onClick={onAddToCart}>Add to Cart</button> </div> ); }; export default ProductItem;
Step 4: Integrate with Supabase (Optional)#
Replay seamlessly integrates with Supabase. If your UI involves data persistence or authentication, you can configure Replay to automatically generate the necessary Supabase API calls and database schemas.
⚠️ Warning: Ensure your Supabase project is properly configured before enabling this integration. Incorrect settings can lead to errors.
Step 5: Style Injection and Customization#
Replay allows you to inject custom CSS styles to match your design aesthetic. You can either upload a CSS file or define styles directly within the Replay interface.
💡 Pro Tip: Use a CSS preprocessor like Sass or Less for more maintainable styles.
Step 6: Test and Deploy#
Finally, test the generated React code in your development environment. Make any necessary adjustments and deploy your functional UI.
Advanced Features: Beyond Basic Code Generation#
Replay offers several advanced features that further enhance its capabilities:
- •Multi-Page Generation: Generate code for entire product flows, not just individual pages.
- •Supabase Integration: Automate database schema and API endpoint creation.
- •Style Injection: Customize the look and feel of your UI with custom CSS.
- •Product Flow Maps: Visualize and validate Replay's understanding of your UI's logic.
- •AI-Powered Refinement: Continuously improve code quality through user feedback and AI learning.
Real-World Use Cases: Where Replay Shines#
Replay is particularly useful in the following scenarios:
- •Rapid Prototyping: Quickly create functional prototypes from design videos.
- •Legacy Code Modernization: Reconstruct UI from video recordings of older applications.
- •Design Handoff: Streamline the handoff process between designers and developers.
- •UI Testing: Generate automated UI tests from video recordings of user interactions.
The Future of UI Development: From Pixels to Productivity#
Replay represents a significant step forward in UI development. By understanding user behavior and intent, Replay bridges the gap between design and code, enabling faster, more efficient, and more accurate UI creation.
typescript// Example: Fetching data from Supabase using generated API call import { createClient } from '@supabase/supabase-js'; const supabaseUrl = process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_SUPABASE_URL; const supabaseKey = process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_SUPABASE_ANON_KEY; const supabase = createClient(supabaseUrl, supabaseKey); const fetchData = async () => { const { data, error } = await supabase .from('products') .select('*'); if (error) { console.error('Error fetching data:', error); return []; } return data; }; export default fetchData;
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 the Replay pricing page for the latest details.
How is Replay different from v0.dev?#
While both tools aim to generate code from design inputs, Replay analyzes video recordings to understand user behavior, whereas v0.dev typically relies on text prompts and predefined UI components. Replay's behavior-driven approach results in more accurate and functional code, especially for complex UIs.
What types of videos work best with Replay?#
Clear, well-lit videos with a focus on UI interactions produce the best results. Avoid shaky footage and ensure all UI elements are clearly visible.
What frameworks does Replay support?#
Currently, Replay primarily supports React. Support for other frameworks is planned for future releases.
Can I customize the generated code?#
Yes, the generated code is fully customizable. You can modify it to fit your specific needs and integrate it with your existing codebase.
Ready to try behavior-driven code generation? Get started with Replay - transform any video into working code in seconds.