How to Convert a Video of a Web App to a React App With Next.js Server Side Rendering

TL;DR: Replay allows you to convert a video recording of a web application into a fully functional React app with Next.js and server-side rendering (SSR), saving significant development time and effort.

The promise of AI-powered code generation is finally becoming a reality, but most tools still fall short. Screenshot-to-code tools are limited by static images, missing the dynamic user interactions that truly define an application. What if you could capture the entire user experience, the behavior, and translate that directly into working code?

That's where Replay comes in. Replay analyzes video recordings of web apps, using Gemini to understand user intent and reconstruct the UI as a functional React application with Next.js and server-side rendering. This isn't just about replicating pixels; it's about understanding what the user is trying to achieve and building a robust application to support that.

Understanding Behavior-Driven Reconstruction#

Traditional code generation methods rely on static images or mockups. Replay takes a different approach: Behavior-Driven Reconstruction. This means the video recording serves as the single source of truth, capturing not just the visual appearance but also the user interactions and workflows.

This approach unlocks several key advantages:

• •Accurate Representation of User Flow: Replay captures the nuances of user interactions, ensuring the generated code accurately reflects the intended application behavior.
• •Dynamic UI Generation: Unlike static image-based tools, Replay can handle complex UI elements and dynamic content updates.
• •Reduced Development Time: By automating the process of UI reconstruction, Replay significantly reduces the time and effort required to build a functional application.

Converting a Video to a React App with Next.js SSR: A Step-by-Step Guide#

Let's walk through the process of converting a video of a web app into a React app with Next.js and server-side rendering using Replay.

Step 1: Recording the Video#

The first step is to record a video of the web application you want to convert. Ensure the video clearly demonstrates the user interactions and workflows you want to capture. This includes:

• •Navigating between pages
• •Interacting with form elements
• •Triggering dynamic updates

💡 Pro Tip: Record multiple short videos focusing on specific features or user flows for better organization and easier processing.

Step 2: Uploading to Replay#

Once you have your video, upload it to the Replay platform. Replay supports various video formats and resolutions. The platform will then analyze the video and begin the process of behavior-driven reconstruction.

Step 3: Reviewing and Refining the Generated Code#

After Replay processes the video, you'll be presented with the generated React code. This code includes:

• •Next.js components for each page
• •Server-side rendering logic
• •Event handlers for user interactions
• •Basic styling

Review the generated code and make any necessary refinements. Replay provides a visual editor that allows you to adjust the layout, styling, and functionality of the application.

Step 4: Integrating with Your Backend (Supabase Example)#

Replay supports seamless integration with various backend services, including Supabase. This allows you to easily connect your generated React app to your existing data sources.

Here's an example of how to fetch data from Supabase using Next.js server-side rendering:

typescript
// pages/index.tsx
import { createClient } from '@supabase/supabase-js';
import { GetServerSideProps } from 'next';

const supabaseUrl = process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_SUPABASE_URL!;
const supabaseKey = process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_SUPABASE_ANON_KEY!;
const supabase = createClient(supabaseUrl, supabaseKey);

interface Props {
  data: any[];
}

const Home: React.FC<Props> = ({ data }) => {
  return (
    <div>
      <h1>My Data</h1>
      <ul>
        {data.map((item) => (
          <li key={item.id}>{item.name}</li>
        ))}
      </ul>
    </div>
  );
};

export const getServerSideProps: GetServerSideProps = async () => {
  const { data, error } = await supabase
    .from('items')
    .select('*');

  if (error) {
    console.error("Error fetching data from Supabase:", error);
    return { props: { data: [] } }; // Return an empty array on error
  }

  return {
    props: {
      data: data,
    },
  };
};

export default Home;

This code snippet demonstrates how to:

1. •Initialize a Supabase client.
2. •Fetch data from a Supabase table named "items" within
   text

   getServerSideProps
   .
3. •Pass the fetched data as props to the
   text

   Home
   component.
4. •Render the data in a simple list.

📝 Note: Remember to install the Supabase client library:

text

npm install @supabase/supabase-js

and configure your Supabase URL and API key in your

text

.env.local

file.

Step 5: Deploying Your Application#

Once you're satisfied with the generated code and backend integration, you can deploy your React app to a hosting platform like Vercel or Netlify. Next.js provides built-in support for these platforms, making deployment a breeze.

Replay vs. Traditional Methods & Other Tools#

Let's compare Replay to traditional development methods and other code generation tools:

As you can see, Replay offers a unique combination of speed, flexibility, and behavior-driven reconstruction that sets it apart from other solutions.

Compared to other AI code generation tools like v0.dev, Replay focuses on understanding the intent behind user actions rather than simply replicating visual elements. This leads to more robust and functional applications.

⚠️ Warning: While Replay automates much of the UI reconstruction process, it's essential to review and refine the generated code to ensure it meets your specific requirements. AI is a powerful tool, but it's not a replacement for human oversight.

Addressing Common Concerns#

Here are some common concerns about using AI-powered code generation tools like Replay:

• •Code Quality: Replay generates clean, well-structured code that is easy to understand and maintain. However, it's still important to review and refine the code to ensure it meets your specific quality standards.
• •Security: Replay adheres to strict security standards to protect your data. All video uploads and code generation processes are encrypted.
• •Customization: Replay provides a visual editor that allows you to customize the generated code to meet your specific requirements. You can also manually edit the code to add custom functionality.

Product Flow Maps#

Replay automatically generates product flow maps from the video analysis. This visual representation of user journeys provides valuable insights into how users interact with your application. These maps can be used to:

• •Identify potential usability issues
• •Optimize user flows
• •Improve the overall user experience

By understanding how users navigate your application, you can make data-driven decisions to enhance its effectiveness.

Frequently Asked Questions#

Is Replay free to use?#

Replay offers a free trial with limited features. Paid plans are available for users who need access to advanced features and higher usage limits.

How is Replay different from v0.dev?#

Replay analyzes video recordings to understand user behavior and reconstruct the UI as functional code. v0.dev relies on text prompts and generates code based on those prompts. Replay's behavior-driven approach allows it to capture the nuances of user interactions and generate more accurate and robust applications. Replay also offers specific features like multi-page generation and Supabase integration that are not available in v0.dev.

What kind of applications can Replay generate?#

Replay can generate a wide range of web applications, from simple landing pages to complex e-commerce platforms. The key requirement is that you have a video recording of the application's user interface and workflows.

What if the generated code contains errors?#

Replay provides a visual editor that allows you to easily fix any errors in the generated code. You can also manually edit the code to add custom functionality. The Replay team is constantly working to improve the accuracy and reliability of the code generation process.

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