How to Convert UI Video to a Complete React Native App With Expo Router - 2026

TL;DR: Stop building React Native apps from static mockups; leverage Replay to generate complete, functional apps with Expo Router directly from user behavior videos.

Stop wasting time translating static mockups into functional React Native apps. The future of mobile development is here, and it's driven by behavior. We're entering 2026, and screenshot-to-code is dead. It's time to ditch the static and embrace dynamic, behavior-driven UI reconstruction.

The Problem with Static Mockups: A 2026 Perspective#

Let's face it: traditional mobile app development is painfully slow. You start with a static mockup, painstakingly crafted in Figma or Sketch. Then, developers spend countless hours translating those images into lines of code. The result? A disconnect between the intended user experience and the actual implementation. And what happens when user feedback comes in? Another round of redesigns, re-coding, and re-testing.

This static, image-based approach is fundamentally flawed. It doesn't capture the flow of the user experience. It doesn't understand intent. It simply translates pixels into code. We need a better way.

Behavior-Driven Reconstruction: The Replay Revolution#

Imagine a world where you can record a video of a user interacting with a prototype, and that video is automatically converted into a fully functional React Native app with Expo Router. That's the power of Replay.

Replay analyzes video – not screenshots – to understand user behavior and intent. It uses "Behavior-Driven Reconstruction," treating the video as the source of truth. This approach allows Replay to generate code that accurately reflects the intended user experience, resulting in more intuitive and engaging apps.

Here's how Replay stacks up against traditional and screenshot-to-code approaches:

Building a React Native App with Expo Router from Video: A Step-by-Step Guide#

Here's a practical guide on how to convert a UI video into a complete React Native app using Replay and Expo Router.

Step 1: Record Your UI Flow#

The first step is to record a video of your desired UI flow. This could be a user interacting with a prototype, a walkthrough of a competitor's app, or even a hand-drawn sketch brought to life. The key is to capture the behavior you want to replicate.

💡 Pro Tip: Speak clearly and deliberately during the recording to help Replay understand the intended actions.

Step 2: Upload Your Video to Replay#

Next, upload your video to the Replay platform. Replay's AI engine will analyze the video, identify UI elements, and understand the user's interactions.

Step 3: Configure Your Project Settings#

Configure your project settings, including:

• •App Name: The name of your React Native app.
• •Framework: Select "React Native with Expo Router."
• •Supabase Integration: If you're using Supabase for your backend, provide your API URL and key. Replay will automatically generate the necessary code to interact with your database.
• •Style Injection: Choose your preferred styling method (e.g., CSS-in-JS, Styled Components).

Step 4: Generate Your Code#

Click the "Generate Code" button. Replay will begin reconstructing your UI flow into a functional React Native app with Expo Router. This process typically takes a few minutes, depending on the complexity of the video.

⚠️ Warning: The generated code may require some manual adjustments. Replay is a powerful tool, but it's not a magic bullet. You'll still need to review and refine the code to ensure it meets your specific requirements.

Step 5: Review and Refine Your Code#

Once the code generation is complete, download the generated project. Open the project in your code editor and review the code. Pay close attention to:

• •Routing: Expo Router automatically handles navigation between screens based on the user flow in the video. Verify that the routes are correctly configured.
• •Components: Replay generates reusable React Native components for each UI element. Review the components and ensure they are styled and functioning correctly.
• •Data Fetching: If you're using Supabase, Replay generates the necessary code to fetch and display data from your database. Verify that the data is being fetched correctly and displayed in the UI.

Step 6: Run Your App#

Finally, run your app on a simulator or a real device. Test the user flow and ensure that everything is working as expected.

typescript
// Example: Generated Expo Router route
import { Stack } from 'expo-router';

export default function Layout() {
  return (
    <Stack>
      <Stack.Screen name="index" options={{ title: 'Home' }} />
      <Stack.Screen name="details" options={{ title: 'Details' }} />
    </Stack>
  );
}

typescript
// Example: Generated Supabase data fetching
import { useEffect, useState } from 'react';
import { supabase } from './supabase'; // Assuming you've configured Supabase

function MyComponent() {
  const [data, setData] = useState([]);

  useEffect(() => {
    async function fetchData() {
      const { data, error } = await supabase
        .from('my_table')
        .select('*');

      if (error) {
        console.error("Error fetching data:", error);
      } else {
        setData(data);
      }
    }

    fetchData();
  }, []);

  return (
    <ul>
      {data.map(item => (
        <li key={item.id}>{item.name}</li>
      ))}
    </ul>
  );
}

export default MyComponent;

Benefits of Using Replay#

• •Faster Development: Generate code in minutes instead of days.
• •Improved Accuracy: Capture the intended user experience, not just a static image.
• •Reduced Errors: Behavior-driven reconstruction minimizes the risk of misinterpreting design specifications.
• •Enhanced Collaboration: Easily share video recordings and generated code with your team.
• •Iterative Design: Quickly iterate on your designs based on user feedback.

Replay: Beyond Screenshot-to-Code#

Replay is not just another screenshot-to-code tool. It's a behavior-driven UI reconstruction engine that understands user intent and generates code that accurately reflects the intended user experience. It bridges the gap between design and development, enabling you to build better apps faster.

📝 Note: Replay leverages the power of Gemini to understand the context and semantics of the video, resulting in more accurate and functional code generation.

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 out our pricing page for details.

How is Replay different from v0.dev?#

While v0.dev excels at generating UI components from text prompts, Replay focuses on reconstructing complete UI flows from video. Replay understands user behavior and generates code that accurately reflects the intended user experience, including routing and data fetching. V0.dev requires precise prompting, while Replay derives intent directly from visual interaction.

What if Replay doesn't perfectly generate the code I need?#

Replay is designed to significantly accelerate development, but it's not a replacement for skilled developers. You'll likely need to review and refine the generated code to ensure it meets your specific requirements. However, Replay will save you countless hours of manual coding.

What frameworks does Replay support?#

Currently, Replay supports React Native with Expo Router. We plan to add support for other frameworks in the future.

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