How to convert UI video to production Next.js App With GraphQL API in 2026?

TL;DR: Replay empowers developers to reconstruct fully functional Next.js applications with GraphQL APIs directly from UI screen recordings, offering a radical shift in development efficiency.

The year is 2026. Manually coding UI based on specifications feels archaic. The future of development is here: behavior-driven reconstruction. Forget static mockups and lengthy documentation; the user's actual behavior, captured in video, is now the source of truth. This post will guide you through converting a UI video into a production-ready Next.js application with a GraphQL API using Replay.

The Problem: From Video to Viable Code#

Traditionally, translating a UI concept from a video recording into a working application involved a tedious, multi-step process:

1. •Manual Analysis: Watching the video repeatedly to understand user flows and UI elements.
2. •Design Interpretation: Translating the visual design into design specifications (Figma, Sketch, etc.).
3. •Code Implementation: Manually writing code to replicate the UI and functionality.
4. •API Integration: Connecting the UI to backend services and data sources, often involving REST or GraphQL APIs.
5. •Testing and Refinement: Iterating through testing and refinement cycles to ensure the application behaves as intended.

This process is time-consuming, error-prone, and often leads to discrepancies between the intended design and the final implementation.

The Solution: Replay and Behavior-Driven Reconstruction#

Replay offers a paradigm shift. Instead of relying on manual interpretation and coding, Replay analyzes the video directly, leveraging AI to understand user behavior and reconstruct the UI as functional code. This "behavior-driven reconstruction" eliminates the need for manual design interpretation and significantly reduces the time and effort required to create a working application. Replay doesn't just see pixels; it understands intent.

Key Advantages of Replay#

• •Video-First Development: Start with a video of the desired UI behavior, eliminating the need for detailed specifications.
• •Automated Code Generation: Replay automatically generates clean, production-ready code, including React components, styling, and data bindings.
• •Behavior Analysis: Replay understands user interactions, such as button clicks, form submissions, and page transitions, and translates them into functional code.
• •GraphQL API Integration: Replay can automatically generate GraphQL queries and mutations based on the data requirements of the UI, simplifying API integration.
• •Multi-Page Application Generation: Replay seamlessly handles multi-page applications, reconstructing the entire application flow from a single video.

Building a Next.js App with GraphQL from Video: A Step-by-Step Guide#

Let's assume you have a video recording of a user interacting with a hypothetical e-commerce application. The video showcases browsing products, adding items to the cart, and completing the checkout process. We'll use this video to generate a Next.js application with a GraphQL API using Replay.

Step 1: Upload and Analyze the Video in Replay#

1. •Upload: Upload the video recording to the Replay platform.
2. •Analysis: Replay analyzes the video, identifying UI elements, user interactions, and data dependencies. This process may take a few minutes, depending on the length and complexity of the video.
3. •Configuration (Optional): You can optionally configure Replay with specific instructions, such as the desired styling framework (e.g., Tailwind CSS, Material UI) or the GraphQL endpoint.

Step 2: Generate the Next.js Application#

Once the analysis is complete, Replay generates the Next.js application code. This includes:

• •React Components: Replay creates React components for each UI element identified in the video, such as product cards, buttons, and forms.
• •Styling: Replay generates CSS or styling code based on the visual design of the UI.
• •GraphQL Queries and Mutations: Replay automatically generates GraphQL queries and mutations to fetch and update data, based on the data dependencies identified in the video.
• •Page Routing: Replay configures the Next.js page routing based on the user flows observed in the video.

Step 3: Review and Customize the Generated Code#

Replay provides a code editor where you can review and customize the generated code. You can:

• •Modify React Components: Adjust the structure and behavior of the generated React components.
• •Refine Styling: Customize the styling of the UI elements.
• •Optimize GraphQL Queries: Fine-tune the generated GraphQL queries and mutations.
• •Add Custom Logic: Integrate custom business logic into the application.

typescript
// Example of a generated React component for a product card
const ProductCard = ({ product }: { product: Product }) => {
  return (
    <div className="product-card">
      <img src={product.imageUrl} alt={product.name} />
      <h3>{product.name}</h3>
      <p>{product.description}</p>
      <p>${product.price}</p>
      <button onClick={() => addToCart(product.id)}>Add to Cart</button>
    </div>
  );
};

export default ProductCard;

graphql
# Example of a generated GraphQL query to fetch product data
query GetProducts {
  products {
    id
    name
    description
    price
    imageUrl
  }
}

Step 4: Deploy the Application#

Once you are satisfied with the generated code, you can deploy the Next.js application to a hosting platform such as Vercel or Netlify. Replay often provides direct integration with these platforms for seamless deployment.

Comparison: Replay vs. Traditional Methods and Other Tools#

💡 Pro Tip: For best results, ensure your video is clear, well-lit, and captures all relevant user interactions. Focus on showing the entire flow you want Replay to reconstruct.

Addressing Common Concerns#

• •Accuracy: Replay's accuracy depends on the quality of the video and the complexity of the UI. However, Replay's AI is constantly improving, and the generated code can be easily reviewed and customized.
• •Customization: Replay provides ample opportunities for customization. You can modify the generated code, refine the styling, and integrate custom business logic.
• •Scalability: The generated Next.js application is fully scalable and can be deployed to any hosting platform.
• •Cost: Replay offers various pricing plans to suit different needs and budgets.

⚠️ Warning: While Replay automates much of the development process, it's crucial to have developers review and refine the generated code to ensure quality and security. It's a tool to augment development, not replace developers.

Supabase Integration#

Replay seamlessly integrates with Supabase, allowing you to easily connect your Next.js application to a Supabase backend. This integration includes:

• •Automatic Schema Generation: Replay can automatically generate a Supabase schema based on the data dependencies identified in the video.
• •Authentication and Authorization: Replay can configure authentication and authorization using Supabase Auth.
• •Realtime Data: Replay can leverage Supabase's realtime capabilities to provide realtime updates to the UI.

Style Injection#

Replay offers powerful style injection capabilities, allowing you to customize the look and feel of your application. You can:

• •Choose a Styling Framework: Select from popular styling frameworks such as Tailwind CSS, Material UI, or Styled Components.
• •Customize Styles: Modify the generated CSS or styling code to match your brand guidelines.
• •Apply Global Styles: Apply global styles to ensure a consistent look and feel across the application.

📝 Note: Replay is constantly being updated with new features and improvements. Check the Replay documentation for the latest information.

Product Flow Maps#

One of Replay's most powerful features is its ability to generate product flow maps directly from the video. These maps visually represent the user's journey through the application, highlighting key interactions and decision points. This helps developers:

• •Understand User Behavior: Gain a deeper understanding of how users interact with the application.
• •Identify Areas for Improvement: Identify areas where the user experience can be improved.
• •Optimize User Flows: Optimize user flows to increase conversion rates.

Frequently Asked Questions#

Is Replay free to use?#

Replay offers a free trial and various paid plans depending on your needs. The free trial allows you to experience the core functionality with limited usage.

How is Replay different from v0.dev?#

While both aim to accelerate UI development, Replay uniquely analyzes video input, understanding user behavior and intent rather than just visual appearance from screenshots. v0.dev relies on text prompts and generates components, whereas Replay reconstructs entire applications based on observed behavior. Replay's behavior-driven reconstruction offers a more complete and context-aware solution.

What kind of videos can I upload to Replay?#

Replay works best with screen recordings of user interactions with existing websites or prototypes. The video should be clear and showcase the desired functionality.

What if Replay makes a mistake?#

The generated code is always editable. Replay provides a starting point, saving significant time, but human review and refinement are always recommended.

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