TL;DR: Replay AI leverages video analysis and Gemini to reconstruct fully functional Angular applications from video mockups, surpassing traditional screenshot-to-code approaches.
Turning a design concept into a working application can be a painful process. Traditionally, you'd start with static mockups, manually translate them into code, and then iterate endlessly to match the original vision. What if you could skip the manual translation and let AI handle the heavy lifting? Replay makes this a reality by converting video recordings of user interfaces into production-ready Angular code.
The Problem with Screenshot-to-Code#
Screenshot-to-code tools have been around for a while, but they fall short when it comes to capturing the behavior of an application. They only see what's on the screen, not what the user intends to do. This leads to incomplete and often unusable code.
| Feature | Screenshot-to-Code | Replay |
|---|---|---|
| Input | Static Screenshots | Video Recordings |
| Behavior Understanding | Limited | Comprehensive (Behavior-Driven Reconstruction) |
| Output | Basic UI Elements | Functional UI with Interactions |
| Code Quality | Often Requires Significant Refactoring | Production-Ready, Modular Code |
| Multi-Page Support | Limited/Manual | Automatic Multi-Page Generation |
| Style Accuracy | Basic | Style Injection for High Fidelity |
Replay: Behavior-Driven Reconstruction#
Replay takes a different approach. Instead of relying on static images, it analyzes video recordings of user interactions. By understanding how users navigate and interact with the UI, Replay can reconstruct the underlying application logic and generate code that accurately reflects the intended behavior. This "Behavior-Driven Reconstruction" is what sets Replay apart.
Replay leverages Gemini to understand not just the visual elements, but the intent behind the actions. This means Replay can generate:
- •Working components: Angular components with associated TypeScript logic.
- •Data bindings: Correctly wired UI elements to data sources.
- •Event handlers: Functioning event handlers for clicks, form submissions, and more.
- •Navigation: Seamless navigation between pages.
Converting a Video Mockup to an Angular App: A Step-by-Step Guide#
Let's walk through the process of converting a video mockup into a functional Angular application using Replay.
Step 1: Recording the Mockup#
The first step is to create a video recording of your UI mockup. This recording should demonstrate the key features and interactions of your application.
💡 Pro Tip: Make sure the video is clear and well-lit. Speak clearly and narrate the user flow. This helps Replay accurately interpret the behavior. The more detail in the video, the better the generated code.
Step 2: Uploading to Replay#
Once you have your video, upload it to Replay. Replay will automatically analyze the video and begin reconstructing the UI.
Step 3: Reviewing and Refining#
After the initial reconstruction, you'll have the opportunity to review and refine the generated code. Replay provides a visual interface for inspecting the components, data bindings, and event handlers.
📝 Note: While Replay strives for accuracy, some manual adjustments may be necessary, especially for complex or highly customized UIs.
Step 4: Integrating with Supabase (Optional)#
Replay offers seamless integration with Supabase. If your mockup involves data fetching or persistence, you can configure Replay to automatically generate the necessary Supabase code.
Step 5: Downloading the Angular Project#
Finally, you can download the generated Angular project as a fully functional codebase. This project includes all the necessary components, services, and modules to run your application.
Code Example: Generated Angular Component#
Here's an example of an Angular component that Replay might generate from a video mockup:
typescript// src/app/components/user-profile/user-profile.component.ts import { Component, OnInit } from '@angular/core'; import { UserService } from '../../services/user.service'; import { User } from '../../models/user.model'; @Component({ selector: 'app-user-profile', templateUrl: './user-profile.component.html', styleUrls: ['./user-profile.component.css'] }) export class UserProfileComponent implements OnInit { user: User | undefined; constructor(private userService: UserService) { } ngOnInit(): void { this.userService.getUserProfile().subscribe( (data: User) => { this.user = data; }, (error) => { console.error('Error fetching user profile:', error); } ); } updateProfile(): void { // Logic to update user profile console.log('Updating profile...'); } }
html<!-- src/app/components/user-profile/user-profile.component.html --> <div class="user-profile"> <h2>User Profile</h2> <div *ngIf="user"> <p><strong>Name:</strong> {{ user.name }}</p> <p><strong>Email:</strong> {{ user.email }}</p> <button (click)="updateProfile()">Update Profile</button> </div> <div *ngIf="!user"> <p>Loading user profile...</p> </div> </div>
This component demonstrates how Replay can generate data bindings (e.g.,
{{ user.name }}(click)="updateProfile()"Styling with Style Injection#
Replay understands the importance of visual fidelity. That's why it includes a style injection feature that allows you to apply CSS styles directly from the video mockup to the generated code. This ensures that the final application closely resembles the original design.
Product Flow Maps#
One of the most powerful features of Replay is its ability to generate product flow maps. By analyzing the user's navigation through the video mockup, Replay can create a visual representation of the application's flow. This map can be invaluable for understanding the user experience and identifying potential areas for improvement.
Addressing Common Concerns#
⚠️ Warning: While Replay significantly accelerates the development process, it's not a magic bullet. Complex logic and highly customized UIs may require manual adjustments. The quality of the input video directly impacts the quality of the generated code.
Some common concerns about AI-powered code generation tools include:
- •Code Quality: Replay generates clean, modular code that adheres to Angular best practices.
- •Customization: The generated code is highly customizable and can be easily modified to meet specific requirements.
- •Accuracy: Replay strives for accuracy, but some manual adjustments may be necessary, especially for complex UIs.
- •Security: Replay does not store sensitive data and adheres to strict security protocols.
Frequently Asked Questions#
Is Replay free to use?#
Replay offers a free tier with limited features. Paid plans are available for more advanced features and higher usage limits. Check the Replay pricing page for details.
How is Replay different from v0.dev?#
While both tools aim to accelerate UI development, Replay focuses on behavior-driven reconstruction from video, while v0.dev primarily generates UI components based on text prompts. Replay understands user intent through video analysis, leading to more functional and complete applications.
What types of applications can I build with Replay?#
Replay is well-suited for building a wide range of Angular applications, including:
- •Web applications
- •Mobile applications (using frameworks like Ionic or NativeScript)
- •Single-page applications (SPAs)
- •E-commerce applications
- •Dashboard applications
Ready to try behavior-driven code generation? Get started with Replay - transform any video into working code in seconds.