How to Convert a UI Video Into a Reusable Component Library with Storybook and scalable UI?

TL;DR: Replay uses video analysis to generate reusable UI components and a Storybook library, enabling scalable UI development from user behavior.

Stop building UIs from static mockups. Start building from reality. Replay leverages video analysis to understand user behavior and intent, transforming UI recordings into reusable components and scalable design systems. This isn't screenshot-to-code; it's behavior-driven reconstruction.

The Problem: Design Handoff and Scalable UIs#

The traditional design-to-development workflow is plagued with inefficiencies:

• •Misinterpretation: Static designs often fail to capture the nuances of user interaction.
• •Redundant Work: Developers frequently rebuild similar components across different projects.
• •Maintenance Overhead: Inconsistent design implementations lead to higher maintenance costs.

Screenshot-to-code tools offer a limited solution, focusing solely on visual appearance. They miss the crucial element of behavior. Replay addresses this gap by analyzing video, understanding user flows, and generating code that accurately reflects intended functionality.

Replay: Behavior-Driven UI Reconstruction#

Replay utilizes advanced video analysis and Gemini's generative AI to reconstruct working UIs from screen recordings. It goes beyond visual appearance, understanding user interactions and generating code that captures the intended behavior.

Here's how Replay stacks up against other UI generation tools:

Converting a UI Video into a Component Library with Storybook#

Let's walk through the process of converting a UI video into a reusable component library with Storybook using Replay.

Step 1: Capture the UI Video#

Record a video demonstrating the desired UI functionality. This could be a user flow within your application, a demo of a specific component, or even a competitor's UI that you want to emulate. The clearer the video, the better the results.

💡 Pro Tip: Narrate the video while recording, explaining the purpose of each action. This provides Replay with valuable context.

Step 2: Upload to Replay#

Upload the video to the Replay platform. Replay's AI engine will automatically analyze the video, identifying UI elements, user interactions, and data dependencies.

Step 3: Review and Refine the Generated Code#

Replay generates code for each identified component, typically in React with TypeScript. Review the code and make any necessary adjustments.

typescript
// Example generated React component
import React, { useState } from 'react';
import './Button.css';

interface ButtonProps {
  label: string;
  onClick: () => void;
  primary?: boolean;
}

const Button: React.FC<ButtonProps> = ({ label, onClick, primary = false }) => {
  const [isHovered, setIsHovered] = useState(false);

  return (
    <button
      className={`button ${primary ? 'button--primary' : ''}`}
      onClick={onClick}
      onMouseEnter={() => setIsHovered(true)}
      onMouseLeave={() => setIsHovered(false)}
      style={{ backgroundColor: isHovered ? '#f0f0f0' : '#ffffff' }}
    >
      {label}
    </button>
  );
};

export default Button;

⚠️ Warning: While Replay strives for accuracy, manual review is crucial to ensure code quality and functionality.

Step 4: Create Storybook Stories#

Replay can automatically generate Storybook stories for each component, allowing you to visualize and test them in isolation.

javascript
// Example Storybook story for the Button component
import React from 'react';
import { Story, Meta } from '@storybook/react';
import Button, { ButtonProps } from './Button';

export default {
  title: 'Components/Button',
  component: Button,
  argTypes: {
    onClick: { action: 'clicked' },
  },
} as Meta;

const Template: Story<ButtonProps> = (args) => <Button {...args} />;

export const Primary = Template.bind({});
Primary.args = {
  label: 'Primary Button',
  primary: true,
};

export const Secondary = Template.bind({});
Secondary.args = {
  label: 'Secondary Button',
};

Step 5: Integrate with Your Project#

Copy the generated component code and Storybook stories into your project. You can now reuse these components throughout your application, ensuring consistency and reducing development time.

📝 Note: Replay also supports Supabase integration, allowing you to easily connect your UI components to your backend data.

Step 6: Style Injection for Design System Cohesion#

Replay allows style injection to ensure that the generated components seamlessly integrate with your existing design system. You can define global styles and themes, which Replay will automatically apply to the generated code. This ensures visual consistency across your application.

css
/* Example global styles */
:root {
  --primary-color: #007bff;
  --secondary-color: #6c757d;
  --font-family: 'Arial, sans-serif';
}

.button {
  font-family: var(--font-family);
  border: none;
  padding: 10px 20px;
  border-radius: 5px;
  cursor: pointer;
}

.button--primary {
  background-color: var(--primary-color);
  color: white;
}

Benefits of Using Replay#

• •Accelerated Development: Generate UI components and Storybook stories in seconds. 🚀
• •Improved Consistency: Ensure visual and functional consistency across your application. ✅
• •Enhanced Collaboration: Facilitate communication between designers and developers.
• •Reduced Maintenance: Simplify UI maintenance with reusable components.
• •Behavior-Driven Design: Build UIs that accurately reflect user intent.

Replay's product flow maps also help visualize user journeys and identify areas for optimization. By understanding how users interact with your UI, you can make data-driven design decisions that improve user experience.

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.

How is Replay different from v0.dev?#

While both tools aim to generate UI code, Replay focuses on behavior-driven reconstruction from video, whereas v0.dev primarily relies on text prompts and existing design systems. Replay understands what the user is trying to do, not just what the UI looks like.

What frameworks does Replay support?#

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

How accurate is the generated code?#

Replay's AI engine is constantly improving, but manual review is always recommended to ensure code quality and functionality.

Can I customize the generated code?#

Yes, you can easily modify the generated code to meet your specific requirements. Replay provides a flexible and customizable solution.

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