TL;DR: Rebuild a fully functional real estate application from a screen recording using Replay and Next.js, leveraging behavior-driven code generation to understand user intent and create working UI.
The old way of building UI is dead. Screenshots-to-code? Static and lifeless. The future is understanding intent. In 2026, we're not just copying pixels, we're reconstructing behavior. This is how you rebuild a real estate app from video, end-to-end, using Replay and Next.js.
The Problem with Traditional UI Development#
Traditional UI development is slow, tedious, and prone to miscommunication. Imagine describing a complex user flow to a designer, then translating that design into code. The result? A game of telephone where the original intent gets lost in translation. Screenshot-to-code tools offer a faster route, but they lack the crucial ingredient: understanding why the user is interacting with the UI in a certain way. They see the what, but miss the why.
Introducing Behavior-Driven Reconstruction#
Replay changes the game by analyzing video recordings of user interactions. Instead of just seeing a button, Replay understands the sequence of actions leading to that button click, the context surrounding it, and the user's likely goal. This "behavior-driven reconstruction" allows Replay to generate code that's not just visually accurate, but also functionally correct and aligned with the user's intended flow.
Why Video Analysis Matters#
Video contains a wealth of information that screenshots simply can't capture:
- •Temporal context: The order of actions reveals user intent.
- •Micro-interactions: Subtle animations and feedback provide clues about functionality.
- •Dynamic data: Changes in data over time reflect real-world use cases.
This rich data allows Replay to build more intelligent and robust UIs.
Rebuilding a Real Estate App: A Step-by-Step Guide#
Let's walk through rebuilding a real estate app from a screen recording using Replay and Next.js. This assumes you have a video of a user interacting with an existing real estate app, showcasing key features like property search, filtering, viewing details, and saving favorites.
Step 1: Upload the Video to Replay#
The first step is to upload your screen recording to Replay. Replay supports various video formats and resolutions. Once uploaded, the video undergoes analysis, identifying UI elements, user interactions, and overall application flow.
📝 Note: The quality of the video directly impacts the accuracy of the reconstruction. Ensure the video is clear, stable, and captures all relevant user interactions.
Step 2: Review and Refine the Reconstructed UI#
After analysis, Replay generates a visual representation of the reconstructed UI, along with the corresponding code. You can then review and refine the generated code to ensure accuracy and completeness.
Here's an example of generated Next.js code for a property card component:
typescript// Generated by Replay import React from 'react'; interface PropertyCardProps { imageUrl: string; address: string; price: number; bedrooms: number; bathrooms: number; } const PropertyCard: React.FC<PropertyCardProps> = ({ imageUrl, address, price, bedrooms, bathrooms }) => { return ( <div className="property-card"> <img src={imageUrl} alt="Property" className="property-image" /> <div className="property-details"> <h3>{address}</h3> <p className="price">${price.toLocaleString()}</p> <div className="amenities"> <span>{bedrooms} Beds</span> <span>{bathrooms} Baths</span> </div> </div> </div> ); }; export default PropertyCard;
💡 Pro Tip: Use Replay's visual editor to make quick adjustments to the UI layout and styling without directly editing the code.
Step 3: Integrate with Supabase for Data Management#
Replay seamlessly integrates with Supabase, allowing you to connect your reconstructed UI to a real-time database. This enables dynamic data loading and updates, bringing your app to life.
To configure Supabase integration, you'll need your Supabase URL and API key. Replay uses these credentials to automatically generate Supabase client code and data models based on the observed data structures in the video.
Here's an example of how Replay might generate code to fetch property data from Supabase:
typescript// Generated by Replay import { createClient } from '@supabase/supabase-js'; const supabaseUrl = process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_SUPABASE_URL; const supabaseKey = process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_SUPABASE_ANON_KEY; const supabase = createClient(supabaseUrl, supabaseKey); export const fetchProperties = async () => { const { data, error } = await supabase .from('properties') .select('*'); if (error) { console.error("Error fetching properties:", error); return []; } return data; };
Step 4: Implement Product Flow Maps#
Replay's Product Flow Maps feature automatically generates visual representations of user flows within the app. This allows you to understand how users navigate through the application and identify potential areas for improvement.
For example, the flow map might show the following path:
- •User lands on the homepage.
- •User enters a search query.
- •User filters results by price and location.
- •User clicks on a property to view details.
- •User saves the property to their favorites.
This information can be invaluable for optimizing the user experience and improving conversion rates.
Step 5: Inject Custom Styles and Logic#
Replay allows you to inject custom styles and logic into the generated code, giving you complete control over the final product. You can use CSS, JavaScript, or any other web development technology to customize the UI and add new functionality.
For example, you might want to add a custom animation when a user clicks on a property card:
javascript// Custom JavaScript injected by the developer const propertyCards = document.querySelectorAll('.property-card'); propertyCards.forEach(card => { card.addEventListener('click', () => { card.classList.add('animate-pulse'); setTimeout(() => { card.classList.remove('animate-pulse'); }, 500); }); });
Replay vs. The Competition#
How does Replay stack up against other UI development tools? Let's take a look:
| Feature | Screenshot-to-Code Tools | Traditional UI Development | Replay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video Input | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Behavior Analysis | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Supabase Integration | Limited | Requires manual setup | Seamless |
| Style Injection | Limited | Full control | Full control |
| Product Flow Maps | ❌ | Requires manual tracking | ✅ |
| Speed of Development | Fast | Slow | Fastest |
| Understanding User Intent | Low | Relies on communication | High |
⚠️ Warning: While Replay significantly accelerates UI development, it's not a replacement for skilled developers. Human oversight is still crucial for ensuring code quality, security, and maintainability.
The Future of UI Development#
Replay represents a paradigm shift in UI development. By leveraging the power of video analysis and behavior-driven reconstruction, we can build more intelligent, user-friendly, and efficient applications. In 2026, expect to see more tools that prioritize understanding user intent over simply copying pixels. The future is interactive, dynamic, and driven by behavior.
Frequently Asked Questions#
Is Replay free to use?#
Replay offers a free tier with limited features and usage. Paid plans are available for more advanced features and higher usage limits. Check the Replay website for the latest pricing information.
How is Replay different from v0.dev?#
While both tools aim to accelerate UI development, Replay distinguishes itself by analyzing video recordings to understand user behavior. V0.dev primarily relies on text prompts and existing code libraries. Replay's behavior-driven approach allows it to generate more contextually aware and functionally accurate code.
What kind of videos work best with Replay?#
Videos with clear and stable visuals, showcasing complete user flows, yield the best results. Avoid videos with excessive camera shake, poor lighting, or incomplete interactions.
What frameworks and libraries are supported by Replay?#
Replay currently supports Next.js, React, and Tailwind CSS. Support for other frameworks and libraries is planned for future releases.
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