How to convert a UI video into a reusable component library with Storybook?

TL;DR: Replay allows you to convert UI screen recordings into a reusable Storybook component library, enabling rapid prototyping and design system creation.

The promise of "code generation" has always been tantalizing. But screenshot-to-code tools often fall short, producing brittle code that struggles to adapt to dynamic UIs and user interactions. The real challenge isn't just replicating pixels; it's understanding behavior. That's where video comes in.

From Video to Component Library: The Replay Advantage#

Replay takes a fundamentally different approach: behavior-driven reconstruction. By analyzing video recordings of UI interactions, Replay, powered by Gemini, understands the intent behind the user's actions. This allows it to generate robust, reusable components that accurately reflect the desired functionality. This process enables a streamlined workflow for building component libraries using Storybook, directly from video.

Why Video?#

Traditional screenshot-to-code methods are inherently limited. They can only capture a static snapshot of the UI, missing crucial information about:

• •User flows and interactions
• •Dynamic state changes
• •Animations and transitions

Video, on the other hand, provides a complete record of the UI in action. Replay leverages this rich data source to reconstruct the UI with a deep understanding of its behavior.

Building a Storybook Component Library with Replay: A Step-by-Step Guide#

Let's walk through the process of converting a UI video into a Storybook component library using Replay. For this example, let's say we have a video recording of a user interacting with a simple "Add to Cart" button.

Step 1: Record Your UI Interaction#

Capture a clear video recording of the UI element you want to convert into a component. Ensure the video showcases all relevant states and interactions (e.g., hover, click, loading). The clearer the video, the better Replay can understand the behavior.

💡 Pro Tip: Use a screen recording tool with high resolution and frame rate for optimal results. Consider adding annotations to the video to highlight key interactions.

Step 2: Upload and Analyze with Replay#

Upload your video to Replay. The engine will analyze the video, identifying UI elements, interactions, and state changes. This process leverages Gemini's advanced video understanding capabilities.

Step 3: Review and Refine the Generated Code#

Replay generates React components with corresponding Storybook stories. Review the generated code, paying close attention to:

• •Component structure and props
• •Event handlers and state management
• •Styling and responsiveness

⚠️ Warning: While Replay strives for accuracy, manual review and refinement are always recommended to ensure the generated code meets your specific requirements.

Step 4: Integrate with Your Storybook Project#

Copy the generated component and story files into your Storybook project.

Step 5: Customize and Enhance#

Customize the generated components and stories to match your design system and coding standards. You can modify the styling, add new props, or implement more complex logic.

Here's an example of a generated React component (simplified for brevity):

typescript
// AddToCartButton.tsx
import React, { useState } from 'react';
import './AddToCartButton.css';

interface AddToCartButtonProps {
  productName: string;
  price: number;
}

const AddToCartButton: React.FC<AddToCartButtonProps> = ({ productName, price }) => {
  const [isLoading, setIsLoading] = useState(false);

  const handleClick = async () => {
    setIsLoading(true);
    // Simulate adding to cart
    await new Promise(resolve => setTimeout(resolve, 1000));
    setIsLoading(false);
    alert(`Added ${productName} to cart!`);
  };

  return (
    <button className="add-to-cart-button" onClick={handleClick} disabled={isLoading}>
      {isLoading ? 'Adding...' : `Add ${productName} to Cart - $${price}`}
    </button>
  );
};

export default AddToCartButton;

And here's the corresponding Storybook story:

typescript
// AddToCartButton.stories.tsx
import React from 'react';
import { Story, Meta } from '@storybook/react';
import AddToCartButton, { AddToCartButtonProps } from './AddToCartButton';

export default {
  title: 'Components/AddToCartButton',
  component: AddToCartButton,
} as Meta;

const Template: Story<AddToCartButtonProps> = (args) => <AddToCartButton {...args} />;

export const Default = Template.bind({});
Default.args = {
  productName: 'Awesome Product',
  price: 29.99,
};

export const Loading = Template.bind({});
Loading.args = {
  productName: 'Awesome Product',
  price: 29.99,
};
Loading.parameters = {
  pseudo: {
    hover: true,
  },
};

This demonstrates how Replay can automatically generate both the component and its Storybook story, saving you significant time and effort.

Advanced Features: Beyond Basic Code Generation#

Replay offers several advanced features that set it apart from traditional code generation tools:

• •Multi-Page Generation: Generate components that span multiple pages or screens, capturing complex user flows.
• •Supabase Integration: Seamlessly integrate with Supabase for data storage and authentication.
• •Style Injection: Inject custom styles to match your design system.
• •Product Flow Maps: Visualize user flows and interactions to gain deeper insights into user behavior.

These features empower you to build sophisticated UI components with minimal manual coding. Replay truly shines when dealing with more complex scenarios that would be nearly impossible to handle with screenshot-based approaches.

📝 Note: Replay is constantly evolving, with new features and improvements being added regularly. Check the documentation for the latest updates.

Addressing Common Concerns#

Accuracy and Reliability#

While Replay leverages powerful AI models, it's essential to understand that code generation is not a perfect process. The accuracy of the generated code depends on the quality of the input video and the complexity of the UI. Manual review and refinement are always recommended.

Performance#

Replay is designed to generate optimized code, but performance can vary depending on the complexity of the generated components. It's important to profile and optimize your components as needed.

Scalability#

Replay can handle large and complex UI projects, but it's essential to manage your codebase effectively. Consider using a modular architecture and component-based design principles to ensure scalability.

Frequently Asked Questions#

Is Replay free to use?#

Replay offers a free tier with limited features and usage. Paid plans are available for users who require more advanced features and higher usage limits. Check the pricing page for details.

How is Replay different from v0.dev?#

While both Replay and v0.dev aim to generate code, they differ significantly in their approach. v0.dev primarily uses text prompts to generate code, while Replay analyzes video recordings of UI interactions. This allows Replay to capture dynamic behavior and user intent, resulting in more robust and reusable components. Replay focuses on understanding what the user is doing, not just what they see.

What frameworks and libraries does Replay support?#

Replay currently supports React, with plans to add support for other popular frameworks in the future. It integrates seamlessly with Storybook and other popular UI development tools.

Can I use Replay to generate code for mobile apps?#

Replay primarily focuses on web UI development, but it can be used to generate code for responsive web apps that work well on mobile devices. Native mobile app support 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.