How to Convert UX/UI Video to a Complete TS React Application with Hooks

TL;DR: Replay uses video analysis and AI to reconstruct fully functional TypeScript React applications with hooks, styles, and data integrations from user interface screen recordings.

The holy grail for developers is to automate the tedious parts of UI development and jump straight into the interesting logic. Screenshot-to-code tools offer a glimpse of this future, but fall short because they lack context. They can't understand why a user clicked a button or what data they intended to input. This is where Replay changes the game.

Replay analyzes video, not just static images, to build complete, working applications. It understands user behavior, reconstructs multi-page flows, and integrates seamlessly with your existing stack. This article will walk you through how to convert a UX/UI video into a complete TypeScript React application with hooks using Replay.

Understanding Behavior-Driven Reconstruction#

Traditional code generation tools rely on static representations of UI. They see a button, but they don't know what it does. Replay's "Behavior-Driven Reconstruction" uses video as the source of truth. By analyzing the video, Replay understands the user's intent, the application's flow, and the data interactions involved.

This approach unlocks several key advantages:

• •Complete Application Reconstruction: Replay can generate multi-page applications, not just isolated components.
• •Functional Code: The generated code isn't just a static mockup; it's a fully functional React application with working hooks and state management.
• •Data Integration: Replay can infer data models and integrate with backend services like Supabase.
• •Style Injection: Replay captures the visual design from the video and applies it to the generated components.

Converting a UX/UI Video to a React App: A Step-by-Step Guide#

Let's walk through the process of converting a UX/UI video into a complete TypeScript React application using Replay.

Step 1: Upload Your Video#

The first step is to upload your UX/UI video to Replay. Ensure the video clearly demonstrates the user flow and all the UI elements you want to reconstruct.

💡 Pro Tip: Record your video in high resolution and with minimal distractions for optimal results.

Step 2: Replay Analyzes Your Video#

Replay's AI engine analyzes the video, identifying UI elements, user interactions, and data inputs. This process typically takes a few minutes, depending on the length and complexity of the video.

Step 3: Review and Customize the Reconstruction#

Once the analysis is complete, Replay presents a reconstructed version of your application. You can review the generated code, adjust the layout, and customize the functionality.

📝 Note: While Replay strives for accuracy, some manual adjustments may be necessary to fine-tune the application to your specific requirements.

Step 4: Generate the TypeScript React Code#

With the reconstruction reviewed and customized, you can generate the TypeScript React code. Replay provides options to download the code as a ZIP file or integrate it directly with your Git repository.

Step 5: Integrate and Extend#

The generated code is a fully functional React application with hooks, styles, and data integrations. You can integrate it into your existing project and extend it with custom logic.

Example: Reconstructing a Simple To-Do App#

Let's consider a simple example: reconstructing a to-do application from a video. The video shows a user adding tasks, marking them as complete, and deleting them.

Replay would analyze the video and generate the following React code:

typescript
// src/App.tsx
import React, { useState } from 'react';
import './App.css';

interface Todo {
  id: number;
  text: string;
  completed: boolean;
}

function App() {
  const [todos, setTodos] = useState<Todo[]>([
    { id: 1, text: 'Learn Replay', completed: false },
    { id: 2, text: 'Build a demo', completed: true },
  ]);
  const [newTodo, setNewTodo] = useState('');

  const handleInputChange = (e: React.ChangeEvent<HTMLInputElement>) => {
    setNewTodo(e.target.value);
  };

  const handleAddTodo = () => {
    if (newTodo.trim() !== '') {
      setTodos([...todos, { id: Date.now(), text: newTodo, completed: false }]);
      setNewTodo('');
    }
  };

  const handleCompleteTodo = (id: number) => {
    setTodos(
      todos.map((todo) =>
        todo.id === id ? { ...todo, completed: !todo.completed } : todo
      )
    );
  };

  const handleDeleteTodo = (id: number) => {
    setTodos(todos.filter((todo) => todo.id !== id));
  };

  return (
    <div className="App">
      <h1>To-Do List</h1>
      <div className="input-container">
        <input
          type="text"
          placeholder="Add a new task"
          value={newTodo}
          onChange={handleInputChange}
        />
        <button onClick={handleAddTodo}>Add</button>
      </div>
      <ul>
        {todos.map((todo) => (
          <li key={todo.id} className={todo.completed ? 'completed' : ''}>
            <span onClick={() => handleCompleteTodo(todo.id)}>{todo.text}</span>
            <button onClick={() => handleDeleteTodo(todo.id)}>Delete</button>
          </li>
        ))}
      </ul>
    </div>
  );
}

export default App;

css
/* src/App.css */
.App {
  font-family: sans-serif;
  text-align: center;
}

.input-container {
  display: flex;
  justify-content: center;
  margin-bottom: 20px;
}

input[type="text"] {
  padding: 10px;
  border: 1px solid #ccc;
  border-radius: 5px;
  margin-right: 10px;
}

button {
  padding: 10px 20px;
  background-color: #4CAF50;
  color: white;
  border: none;
  border-radius: 5px;
  cursor: pointer;
}

ul {
  list-style: none;
  padding: 0;
}

li {
  display: flex;
  justify-content: space-between;
  align-items: center;
  padding: 10px;
  border-bottom: 1px solid #eee;
}

.completed {
  text-decoration: line-through;
  color: #888;
}

This code includes:

• •React hooks for state management (
  text

  useState
  ).
• •Functions for adding, completing, and deleting tasks.
• •Basic styling to match the video's appearance.

Replay automatically infers the component structure, data models, and event handlers from the video, saving you hours of manual coding.

Replay vs. Traditional Code Generation Tools#

⚠️ Warning: Replay is not a magic bullet. Complex applications with intricate logic may require more manual adjustments.

Advanced Features: Supabase Integration and Product Flow Maps#

Replay goes beyond basic code generation with advanced features like Supabase integration and product flow maps.

• •Supabase Integration: Replay can automatically generate data models and integrate with your Supabase backend. This allows you to quickly build data-driven applications from video.
• •Product Flow Maps: Replay creates visual representations of the user flows captured in the video. These maps provide a high-level overview of the application's structure and navigation.

Addressing Common Concerns#

• •Accuracy: Replay's accuracy depends on the quality of the input video. Clear, well-recorded videos produce the best results.
• •Complexity: Replay is best suited for reconstructing applications with well-defined user flows. Highly complex applications may require more manual intervention.
• •Customization: The generated code is a starting point. You can customize it to meet your specific requirements.

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 the Replay pricing page for details.

How is Replay different from v0.dev?#

v0.dev is an AI-powered React component generator that uses text prompts. Replay uses video analysis to reconstruct complete applications based on actual user behavior. Replay focuses on understanding the intent behind the UI, not just the appearance.

What kind of videos work best with Replay?#

Videos with clear user flows, minimal distractions, and high resolution tend to produce the best results.

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