How to Convert UI Video to a Production-Ready Vue 3 App With Composition API

TL;DR: Transform UI screen recordings into production-ready Vue 3 applications with Composition API using Replay's behavior-driven reconstruction, bypassing the limitations of screenshot-to-code tools.

The hype around "AI-powered" UI generation is deafening. But let's be honest: most screenshot-to-code tools deliver brittle, unusable results. They generate code based on static visuals, completely missing the intent behind user interactions. That's why we built Replay.

Replay doesn't just see the UI; it understands the user's behavior. By analyzing video recordings, Replay reconstructs working UI, including complex interactions, into clean, maintainable code. This post will show you how to convert a UI video into a production-ready Vue 3 app using the Composition API, leveraging Replay's unique capabilities.

Why Video, Not Screenshots?#

Screenshots are a dead end. They offer a single snapshot in time, ignoring the dynamic nature of user interfaces. Consider a simple dropdown menu. A screenshot only captures one state (open or closed), missing the crucial interaction of clicking to toggle the menu.

Replay, on the other hand, uses video as the source of truth. This "Behavior-Driven Reconstruction" allows Replay to understand:

• •Click events
• •Form submissions
• •Data fetching and display
• •Animations and transitions
• •Multi-page flows

This deeper understanding translates into more accurate and functional code generation.

Replay: The Video-to-Code Engine#

Replay analyzes video to understand user behavior and intent. It then leverages Gemini to reconstruct working UI, including:

• •Multi-page generation: Handles complex applications with multiple views and routes.
• •Supabase integration: Seamlessly connects your UI to a Supabase backend.
• •Style injection: Applies consistent styling based on the video's visual cues.
• •Product Flow maps: Visualizes the user journey and generates corresponding routes.

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

Converting UI Video to Vue 3 with Composition API: A Step-by-Step Guide#

Let's walk through the process of converting a UI video into a Vue 3 application using the Composition API. We'll assume you have a video recording of a simple to-do list application.

Step 1: Upload Your Video to Replay#

Start by uploading your UI video to the Replay platform. Replay will automatically analyze the video, identify UI elements, and understand user interactions.

💡 Pro Tip: Ensure your video is clear and captures all relevant user interactions. The better the video quality, the more accurate the code generation will be.

Step 2: Configure Replay Settings#

After the video is processed, you'll be presented with configuration options. Here's where you can specify:

• •Framework: Select "Vue 3".
• •Composition API: Ensure this option is enabled.
• •State Management: Choose your preferred approach (e.g., Vuex, Pinia, or reactive refs).
• •Styling: Configure style injection options (e.g., CSS modules, styled components).
• •Supabase Integration: If your UI interacts with a Supabase backend, provide your Supabase credentials.

Step 3: Review and Refine the Generated Code#

Replay generates a complete Vue 3 project based on the video analysis. The code will be structured using the Composition API, with reactive refs for state management and composables for reusable logic.

Here's an example of a generated component using the Composition API:

typescript
// src/components/TodoList.vue
<template>
  <div>
    <input v-model="newTodo" @keyup.enter="addTodo" placeholder="Add a new todo" />
    <ul>
      <li v-for="todo in todos" :key="todo.id">
        <span :class="{ completed: todo.completed }">{{ todo.text }}</span>
        <button @click="toggleComplete(todo.id)">Toggle</button>
        <button @click="deleteTodo(todo.id)">Delete</button>
      </li>
    </ul>
  </div>
</template>

<script lang="ts">
import { defineComponent, ref, onMounted } from 'vue';
import { useSupabase } from '../composables/useSupabase'; // Assuming Supabase integration

export default defineComponent({
  setup() {
    const todos = ref([]);
    const newTodo = ref('');
    const { supabase } = useSupabase();

    const loadTodos = async () => {
      const { data, error } = await supabase
        .from('todos')
        .select('*')
        .order('created_at', { ascending: false });

      if (error) {
        console.error('Error loading todos:', error);
        return;
      }

      todos.value = data || [];
    };

    const addTodo = async () => {
      if (!newTodo.value.trim()) return;

      const { data, error } = await supabase
        .from('todos')
        .insert([{ text: newTodo.value.trim(), completed: false }])
        .select();

      if (error) {
        console.error('Error adding todo:', error);
        return;
      }

      if (data && data.length > 0) {
        todos.value = [...todos.value, data[0]];
        newTodo.value = '';
      }
    };

    const toggleComplete = async (id: number) => {
      const todo = todos.value.find((t) => t.id === id);
      if (!todo) return;

      const { error } = await supabase
        .from('todos')
        .update({ completed: !todo.completed })
        .eq('id', id);

      if (error) {
        console.error('Error updating todo:', error);
        return;
      }

      todo.completed = !todo.completed; // Optimistic update
    };


    const deleteTodo = async (id: number) => {
      const { error } = await supabase
        .from('todos')
        .delete()
        .eq('id', id);

      if (error) {
        console.error('Error deleting todo:', error);
        return;
      }

      todos.value = todos.value.filter((t) => t.id !== id);
    };

    onMounted(loadTodos);

    return {
      todos,
      newTodo,
      addTodo,
      toggleComplete,
      deleteTodo,
    };
  },
});
</script>

<style scoped>
.completed {
  text-decoration: line-through;
  color: gray;
}
</style>

📝 Note: This is a simplified example. Replay can generate more complex components with advanced features like form validation, data pagination, and real-time updates.

Step 4: Customize and Extend the Code#

While Replay generates a functional application, you'll likely want to customize and extend the code to meet your specific requirements.

• •Refactor Composables: Extract reusable logic into composables for better organization and maintainability.
• •Add Unit Tests: Write unit tests to ensure the reliability of your components and composables.
• •Implement Advanced Features: Integrate additional libraries or services to add features like authentication, authorization, and analytics.

Step 5: Deploy Your Application#

Once you're satisfied with the code, deploy your Vue 3 application to your preferred hosting platform (e.g., Netlify, Vercel, or AWS).

⚠️ Warning: Always review the generated code carefully before deploying to production. While Replay strives for accuracy, it's essential to verify that the application behaves as expected.

Benefits of Using Replay for Vue 3 Development#

• •Faster Development: Automate the tedious process of UI reconstruction.
• •Improved Code Quality: Generate clean, maintainable code using the Composition API.
• •Reduced Errors: Minimize manual coding errors by leveraging Replay's accurate analysis.
• •Enhanced Collaboration: Share UI videos with your team and generate code collaboratively.
• •Behavior-Driven Development: Ensure your UI accurately reflects user behavior and intent.

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. Check out the pricing page for details.

How is Replay different from v0.dev?#

While both Replay and v0.dev aim to generate UI code, they differ significantly in their approach. v0.dev relies on text prompts and predefined components, whereas Replay analyzes video recordings to understand user behavior and reconstruct the UI accordingly. Replay's behavior-driven approach results in more accurate and functional code generation, especially for complex interactions and multi-page applications.

What video formats are supported?#

Replay supports most common video formats, including MP4, MOV, and WebM.

Can I use Replay with other frameworks besides Vue 3?#

Yes! Replay supports React, Angular, and other popular frameworks.

How does Replay handle dynamic data?#

Replay can infer data structures and relationships from the video recording. You can then connect your UI to a backend (e.g., Supabase) to populate the data dynamically.

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