Back to Blog
January 5, 20267 min readHow to Convert

How to Convert Design into Production Code with React Native & Replay AI - 2026

R
Replay Team
Developer Advocates

TL;DR: Replay AI revolutionizes design-to-code conversion in React Native by analyzing video recordings of user interactions to generate production-ready code, understanding user behavior beyond static visual representations.

The future of React Native development is here, and it's driven by behavior, not just pixels. Forget static mockups and tedious manual translation. In 2026, we're building UIs from video. That's right, video-to-code is not only possible, it's becoming the preferred method for rapid prototyping and production-ready applications.

Replay AI is at the forefront of this revolution, using advanced video analysis and AI to reconstruct functional React Native components from screen recordings. This isn't just another screenshot-to-code tool; Replay understands how users interact with a design, translating that behavior into clean, maintainable code.

The Problem with Traditional Design-to-Code Workflows#

Traditional design-to-code workflows are notoriously slow and error-prone. Designers create mockups in tools like Figma or Sketch, and developers then painstakingly recreate those designs in code. This process is fraught with challenges:

  • Misinterpretations: Developers might misunderstand design specifications, leading to visual discrepancies.
  • Inconsistencies: Maintaining consistency between the design and the codebase is difficult, especially as the project evolves.
  • Wasted Time: The manual translation process is time-consuming and repetitive, diverting developers from more critical tasks.
  • Lack of Interactivity: Static designs don't capture the dynamic nature of user interactions, leading to incomplete or inaccurate implementations.

Introducing Behavior-Driven Reconstruction with Replay#

Replay addresses these challenges by introducing a new paradigm: Behavior-Driven Reconstruction. Instead of relying on static images, Replay analyzes video recordings of user interactions to understand the intent behind the design. This allows it to generate code that not only looks like the design but also behaves as intended.

Key Features of Replay:#

  • Video Input: Replay accepts video recordings as input, capturing the full context of user interactions.
  • Multi-Page Generation: Generate code for entire product flows, not just individual screens.
  • Supabase Integration: Seamlessly connect your generated code to your Supabase backend.
  • Style Injection: Customize the look and feel of your components with CSS-in-JS or traditional stylesheets.
  • Product Flow Maps: Visualize the user journey and the relationships between different components.
  • Behavior Analysis: Replay understands user actions like taps, swipes, and scrolls, translating them into corresponding code.

How Replay Works: A Step-by-Step Guide#

Let's walk through a practical example of using Replay to convert a design into production-ready React Native code.

Step 1: Capture the User Flow#

Record a video of yourself interacting with your design prototype. This could be a Figma prototype, a web-based mockup, or even a hand-drawn sketch. The key is to demonstrate the intended user flow clearly.

💡 Pro Tip: Speak clearly while recording, describing your actions and the expected outcomes. This provides additional context for Replay to interpret.

Step 2: Upload the Video to Replay#

Upload the video recording to the Replay platform. Replay will automatically analyze the video and identify the different screens, components, and interactions.

Step 3: Review and Refine the Generated Code#

Replay generates React Native code based on its analysis of the video. Review the generated code and make any necessary adjustments. You can edit the code directly within the Replay platform or export it to your local development environment.

typescript
// Example of generated React Native code for a button component import React from 'react'; import { TouchableOpacity, Text, StyleSheet } from 'react-native'; const CustomButton = ({ title, onPress }) => { return ( <TouchableOpacity style={styles.button} onPress={onPress}> <Text style={styles.buttonText}>{title}</Text> </TouchableOpacity> ); }; const styles = StyleSheet.create({ button: { backgroundColor: '#4CAF50', padding: 10, borderRadius: 5, alignItems: 'center', }, buttonText: { color: 'white', fontSize: 16, }, }); export default CustomButton;

📝 Note: Replay's code generation is constantly improving. You can expect even more accurate and refined code in the future.

Step 4: Integrate with Your Supabase Backend (Optional)#

If your design includes data interactions, you can seamlessly integrate the generated code with your Supabase backend. Replay can automatically generate the necessary API calls and data bindings.

typescript
// Example of generated code for fetching data from Supabase import { createClient } from '@supabase/supabase-js'; const supabaseUrl = 'YOUR_SUPABASE_URL'; const supabaseKey = 'YOUR_SUPABASE_ANON_KEY'; const supabase = createClient(supabaseUrl, supabaseKey); const fetchData = async () => { const { data, error } = await supabase .from('your_table') .select('*'); if (error) { console.error('Error fetching data:', error); return []; } return data; }; export default fetchData;

Step 5: Deploy Your Application#

Once you're satisfied with the generated code, you can deploy your React Native application to the app stores.

Replay vs. Traditional Methods: A Detailed Comparison#

The following table highlights the key differences between Replay and traditional design-to-code methods:

FeatureTraditional Design-to-CodeScreenshot-to-CodeReplay
InputStatic Mockups (e.g., Figma)ScreenshotsVideo
Behavior Analysis
Code AccuracyLow (Manual Interpretation)Medium (Limited by Image Quality)High (Understands User Intent)
Development SpeedSlowMediumFast
MaintenanceHigh (Manual Updates)Medium (Requires Retraining)Low (Adapts to Changes)
Learning CurveHigh (Requires Expertise in Design and Code)Medium (Requires Familiarity with the Tool)Low (Intuitive Interface)
Multi-Page Generation
Supabase IntegrationManualManualAutomated

⚠️ Warning: While Replay significantly accelerates the development process, it's not a replacement for skilled developers. It's a powerful tool that empowers developers to focus on more complex tasks.

Addressing Common Concerns#

Will Replay replace developers?#

No. Replay is a tool to augment developers, not replace them. It automates the tedious and repetitive tasks, freeing up developers to focus on higher-level architecture, complex logic, and user experience.

How accurate is the generated code?#

Replay's accuracy is constantly improving. While it may not always generate perfect code, it provides a solid foundation that developers can easily refine. The more detailed and clear your video recording, the better the results.

What if my design changes?#

Simply record a new video with the updated design, and Replay will generate the updated code. This makes it easy to iterate on your designs and keep your codebase in sync.

What about complex animations and interactions?#

Replay is continuously being updated to support increasingly complex animations and interactions. In the meantime, you can manually add these features to the generated code.

The Future of React Native Development#

Replay represents a significant step forward in the evolution of React Native development. By leveraging the power of video analysis and AI, it streamlines the design-to-code process, reduces errors, and accelerates time to market. As Replay continues to evolve, we can expect even more powerful features and capabilities that will further revolutionize the way we build mobile applications.

Frequently Asked Questions#

Is Replay free to use?#

Replay offers a free tier with limited features and usage. Paid plans are available for more advanced features 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 designs, Replay's unique advantage lies in its video-based approach. v0.dev and similar tools typically rely on static images or design files, which lack the crucial information about user behavior and interactions. Replay analyzes video recordings to understand the intent behind the design, resulting in more accurate and functional code. Replay also offers features like multi-page generation and Supabase integration, setting it apart from other code generation tools.

What kind of video input does Replay accept?#

Replay can accept a variety of video formats, including MP4, MOV, and AVI. The video should be clear and well-lit, with a frame rate of at least 30 frames per second.

Does Replay support custom components?#

Yes, Replay allows you to define and use custom components in your designs. This enables you to create highly reusable and maintainable code.

Can I use Replay with other backend services besides Supabase?#

While Replay has native integration with Supabase, you can also integrate it with other backend services using custom API calls.


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

Ready to try Replay?

Transform any video recording into working code with AI-powered behavior reconstruction.

Launch Replay Free