How to Convert Video into a NextJS app with Typescript and Shadcn/UI using Replay AI

TL;DR: Replay allows you to convert screen recordings of user interactions into a fully functional NextJS application with Typescript and Shadcn/UI components, significantly accelerating development.

Stop Building UIs From Scratch: Video is the New Blueprint#

Building user interfaces is time-consuming. From initial design to writing the first line of code, the process is often iterative and prone to delays. What if you could bypass the manual coding and instantly create a working UI from a simple screen recording? Replay makes this possible. We're not just talking about static screenshots; we're talking about understanding user behavior and translating that into functional code.

Replay leverages the power of Gemini to analyze video recordings of user interactions and reconstruct them into a working NextJS application, complete with Typescript and Shadcn/UI components. This approach, which we call "Behavior-Driven Reconstruction," uses video as the source of truth, allowing you to capture complex user flows and interactions with unprecedented accuracy.

Understanding Behavior-Driven Reconstruction#

Traditional code generation tools rely on static images or wireframes. They can only represent the visual aspects of the UI, missing the critical element of user behavior. Replay, on the other hand, analyzes the video recording to understand:

• •User clicks and interactions
• •Data input and form submissions
• •Page transitions and navigation flows
• •Animations and dynamic UI elements

This behavioral understanding allows Replay to generate code that accurately reflects the intended user experience, resulting in a more functional and user-friendly application.

From Screen Recording to NextJS App: A Step-by-Step Guide#

Let's walk through the process of converting a screen recording into a NextJS application using Replay.

Step 1: Capture the User Flow#

The first step is to record the user flow you want to replicate. Use any screen recording tool (e.g., QuickTime, OBS Studio) to capture the interaction. Make sure the recording is clear and shows all relevant UI elements and user actions. The better the video quality, the better Replay can analyze and reconstruct the UI.

💡 Pro Tip: Narrate the recording as you interact with the UI. This will provide additional context for Replay and improve the accuracy of the generated code.

Step 2: Upload the Video to Replay#

Once you have the recording, upload it to the Replay platform. The platform will automatically process the video and analyze the user behavior.

Step 3: Configure the Project Settings#

After uploading, you'll need to configure the project settings. This includes:

• •Project Name: A descriptive name for your project.
• •Framework: Select "NextJS" as the framework.
• •Typescript: Enable Typescript support.
• •UI Library: Choose "Shadcn/UI" as the UI library.
• •Supabase Integration: If your application uses Supabase for data storage, enable the integration and provide the necessary credentials.

📝 Note: Replay seamlessly integrates with Supabase, allowing you to automatically generate data models and API endpoints based on your video recording.

Step 4: Review and Customize the Generated Code#

Once the analysis is complete, Replay will generate the NextJS application code. You can review the code in the Replay editor and customize it as needed. This includes:

• •Adjusting the UI layout and styling
• •Adding custom logic and functionality
• •Modifying the data models and API endpoints

⚠️ Warning: While Replay strives for accuracy, it's essential to review the generated code and make any necessary adjustments to ensure it meets your specific requirements.

Step 5: Deploy the Application#

Once you're satisfied with the generated code, you can deploy the application to your preferred hosting provider (e.g., Vercel, Netlify).

Code Example: Generated Shadcn/UI Component#

Here's an example of a Shadcn/UI component generated by Replay:

typescript
// Generated by Replay
import { Button } from "@/components/ui/button";

interface Props {
  onClick: () => void;
  label: string;
}

const MyButton: React.FC<Props> = ({ onClick, label }) => {
  return (
    <Button onClick={onClick}>
      {label}
    </Button>
  );
};

export default MyButton;

This code demonstrates how Replay automatically generates reusable components with proper typing and styling, leveraging the power of Shadcn/UI.

Multi-Page Generation and Product Flow Maps#

Replay goes beyond single-page reconstruction. It supports multi-page generation, allowing you to capture complex user flows that span multiple screens. The platform also generates product flow maps, which visually represent the user's journey through the application. This provides valuable insights into user behavior and helps you identify areas for improvement.

Style Injection for Consistent Branding#

Maintaining a consistent brand identity is crucial for any application. Replay's style injection feature allows you to inject your brand's CSS styles into the generated code, ensuring that the UI aligns with your brand guidelines.

Replay vs. Traditional Code Generation Tools#

Let's compare Replay with traditional code generation tools:

As the table shows, Replay offers several advantages over traditional code generation tools, including video input, behavior analysis, and seamless integration with NextJS, Typescript, and Shadcn/UI.

Real-World Use Cases#

Replay can be used in a variety of real-world scenarios, including:

• •Rapid Prototyping: Quickly create functional prototypes from screen recordings of existing applications.
• •UI Migration: Migrate existing UIs to NextJS with Typescript and Shadcn/UI.
• •User Testing: Analyze user behavior and generate code based on real-world user interactions.
• •Documentation: Generate interactive documentation from screen recordings of application usage.

Benefits of Using Replay#

Using Replay offers several benefits:

• •Increased Productivity: Generate code faster than manual coding.
• •Improved Accuracy: Capture complex user flows and interactions with unprecedented accuracy.
• •Reduced Development Costs: Minimize the need for manual coding and testing.
• •Enhanced User Experience: Create applications that accurately reflect the intended user experience.

Code Example: Fetching Data with Replay-Generated API Endpoint#

Assuming Replay has detected and generated a Supabase integration based on your video, here's how you might use a generated API endpoint:

typescript
// Assuming Replay generated /api/getProducts endpoint
const fetchProducts = async () => {
  try {
    const response = await fetch('/api/getProducts');
    if (!response.ok) {
      throw new Error(`HTTP error! status: ${response.status}`);
    }
    const data = await response.json();
    return data;
  } catch (error) {
    console.error("Failed to fetch products:", error);
    return []; // Or handle the error appropriately
  }
};

// Example usage in a component
const ProductList = async () => {
  const products = await fetchProducts();

  return (
    <ul>
      {products.map((product: any) => (
        <li key={product.id}>{product.name}</li>
      ))}
    </ul>
  );
};

export default ProductList;

This example demonstrates how Replay can facilitate data fetching by automatically generating the API endpoint structure, allowing developers to focus on data presentation and handling.

Frequently Asked Questions#

Is Replay free to use?#

Replay offers a free tier with limited features. Paid plans are available for users who need access to advanced features and higher usage limits. Check our pricing page for the most up-to-date information.

How is Replay different from v0.dev?#

While both Replay and v0.dev aim to accelerate UI development, they differ significantly in their approach. v0.dev relies on AI-generated code based on text prompts, whereas Replay analyzes video recordings of user interactions to reconstruct the UI. Replay's "Behavior-Driven Reconstruction" approach allows for more accurate and context-aware code generation, as it captures the nuances of user behavior that are often missed by text-based prompts. Replay is focused on understanding intent, not just replicating visuals.

What type of video formats does Replay support?#

Replay supports most common video formats, including MP4, MOV, and AVI. We recommend using a high-resolution recording for optimal results.

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