How to Convert video to production with Replay in 3 steps: Guaranteed

TL;DR: Replay converts video recordings of user interfaces into production-ready code in just three steps, leveraging behavior-driven reconstruction for accurate and functional UI generation.

The promise of AI-powered code generation has been around for a while, but most solutions fall short when it comes to translating real-world user flows into functional code. Screenshot-to-code tools offer a glimpse of the future, but they often produce brittle, static interfaces that lack the dynamic behavior required for modern web applications. The problem? They only see the what, not the why.

Enter Replay.

Replay takes a radically different approach: behavior-driven reconstruction. Instead of relying on static images, Replay analyzes video recordings of user interactions to understand the underlying intent and reconstruct the UI accordingly. This allows Replay to generate multi-page applications, handle complex state management, and even infer styling based on observed user behavior.

Here's a comparison of how Replay stacks up against other code generation tools:

Ready to convert video to production code? Here's how to do it in three guaranteed steps using Replay:

Step 1: Capture the User Flow#

The first step is to record a clear and concise video of the user flow you want to convert into code. This could be a recording of you interacting with an existing website, a prototype, or even a hand-drawn mockup. The key is to clearly demonstrate the intended behavior and interactions.

💡 Pro Tip: Focus on showcasing the process, not just the end result. Replay learns from the actions you take, so make sure to clearly demonstrate each step in the flow. For example, if you're recording a login flow, show the entire process of entering the username, password, and clicking the submit button.

Here are some best practices for capturing effective video recordings:

• •Use a screen recording tool: Use a tool like QuickTime (macOS), OBS Studio, or Loom to record your screen.
• •Minimize distractions: Close unnecessary applications and browser tabs to ensure a clean recording.
• •Speak clearly: If you're providing narration, speak clearly and concisely.
• •Highlight key interactions: Use your mouse cursor to highlight important elements and interactions.
• •One flow per video: Keep each video focused on a single, distinct user flow. This makes it easier for Replay to accurately reconstruct the code.

Step 2: Upload and Process the Video with Replay#

Once you have your video recording, upload it to Replay. Replay uses advanced AI algorithms powered by Gemini to analyze the video and reconstruct the UI. This process typically takes a few minutes, depending on the length and complexity of the video.

During the processing phase, Replay performs the following tasks:

• •Object detection: Identifies and classifies UI elements such as buttons, text fields, and images.
• •Behavior analysis: Analyzes user interactions such as clicks, form submissions, and page transitions.
• •State management: Infers the application's state based on user actions and data inputs.
• •Code generation: Generates clean, well-structured code that accurately reflects the observed behavior.

📝 Note: Replay supports a variety of video formats, including MP4, MOV, and WebM. For best results, use a high-resolution recording with a stable frame rate.

Step 3: Customize and Deploy the Generated Code#

After Replay processes the video, you'll be presented with a fully functional codebase that you can customize and deploy. Replay provides a variety of options for customizing the generated code, including:

• •Code editor: Edit the generated code directly within the Replay interface.
• •Style injection: Apply custom CSS styles to match your branding and design.
• •Component extraction: Extract reusable components from the generated code.
• •Supabase integration: Connect your Replay project to a Supabase database for seamless data management.
• •Product Flow Maps: Visualize the user flow as a diagram to easily understand the application's structure.

Here's an example of how you can use Replay to generate a simple login form:

1. •Record a video: Record yourself filling out a login form and submitting it.
2. •Upload to Replay: Upload the video to Replay and wait for it to process.
3. •Customize the code: Use the code editor to modify the form fields, add validation logic, and integrate with your backend authentication system.

Here's a snippet of the generated React code:

typescript
import React, { useState } from 'react';

const LoginForm = () => {
  const [username, setUsername] = useState('');
  const [password, setPassword] = useState('');

  const handleSubmit = async (e) => {
    e.preventDefault();
    // Replace with your authentication logic
    const response = await fetch('/api/login', {
      method: 'POST',
      headers: {
        'Content-Type': 'application/json',
      },
      body: JSON.stringify({ username, password }),
    });

    if (response.ok) {
      console.log('Login successful!');
    } else {
      console.error('Login failed.');
    }
  };

  return (
    <form onSubmit={handleSubmit}>
      <div>
        <label htmlFor="username">Username:</label>
        <input
          type="text"
          id="username"
          value={username}
          onChange={(e) => setUsername(e.target.value)}
        />
      </div>
      <div>
        <label htmlFor="password">Password:</label>
        <input
          type="password"
          id="password"
          value={password}
          onChange={(e) => setPassword(e.target.value)}
        />
      </div>
      <button type="submit">Login</button>
    </form>
  );
};

export default LoginForm;

⚠️ Warning: While Replay generates high-quality code, it's important to review and test the generated code thoroughly before deploying it to production. Pay close attention to security considerations such as input validation and authentication.

Here's a breakdown of the benefits of using Replay:

• •Faster development: Generate production-ready code in minutes, not hours.
• •Improved accuracy: Behavior-driven reconstruction ensures that the generated code accurately reflects the intended user behavior.
• •Reduced errors: Automated code generation minimizes the risk of human error.
• •Increased productivity: Focus on higher-level tasks such as design and user experience, rather than writing boilerplate code.

Frequently Asked Questions#

Is Replay free to use?#

Replay offers a free tier with limited features and usage. Paid plans are available for users who need more advanced features and higher usage limits. Check out the Replay pricing page for more details.

How is Replay different from v0.dev?#

While both Replay and v0.dev aim to generate code, they use fundamentally different approaches. v0.dev relies on text prompts to generate code snippets, while Replay analyzes video recordings of user interactions to reconstruct the UI. This behavior-driven approach allows Replay to generate more accurate and functional code, especially for complex user flows. Replay understands what the user is trying to do, not just what they are asking for.

What kind of applications can I build with Replay?#

You can build a wide range of applications with Replay, including:

• •E-commerce websites
• •SaaS applications
• •Mobile apps
• •Internal tools
• •Prototypes

What frameworks does Replay support?#

Replay currently supports React, with plans to add support for other popular frameworks in the future.

How secure is Replay?#

Replay uses industry-standard security measures to protect your data. All video recordings are stored securely and encrypted both in transit and at rest.

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