How to Rebuild a React UI from Video in 5 Minutes with Replay AI

TL;DR: Rebuild a React UI from a screen recording in minutes using Replay's video-to-code engine, leveraging behavior-driven reconstruction for accurate and functional code generation.

The dream of instantly turning design concepts into working code is closer than ever. But static screenshots often fall short, missing the nuances of user interaction and intended behavior. What if you could simply record a video of the UI in action and have it transformed into a functional React component? That's the power of Replay.

The Problem with Screenshot-to-Code#

Screenshot-to-code tools are a step in the right direction, but they're fundamentally limited. They analyze static images, lacking the context of user flows, animations, and dynamic data updates. This often results in incomplete or inaccurate code that requires significant manual rework.

Consider a simple dropdown menu. A screenshot only captures a single state – either open or closed. It doesn't reveal the trigger (the click), the animation, or the data being displayed.

Replay solves this problem by using video as the source of truth. It analyzes the behavior captured in the video to reconstruct the UI, not just the appearance. This "Behavior-Driven Reconstruction" approach results in more accurate, functional, and maintainable code.

Introducing Replay: Video-to-Code Revolution#

Replay is a game-changing video-to-code engine that leverages the power of Gemini to reconstruct working UI from screen recordings. Instead of relying on static images, Replay understands user behavior and intent, resulting in higher-fidelity code generation.

Here's what sets Replay apart:

• •Video Input: Replay accepts video recordings as input, capturing the full context of user interactions.
• •Behavior Analysis: Replay analyzes the video to understand user flows, animations, and dynamic data updates.
• •Multi-Page Generation: Replay can reconstruct multi-page applications, capturing complex user flows.
• •Supabase Integration: Seamlessly integrate with Supabase for backend data management.
• •Style Injection: Easily customize the generated UI with style injection.
• •Product Flow Maps: Visualize and understand the reconstructed user flows.

Rebuilding a React UI from Video: A Step-by-Step Guide#

Let's walk through the process of rebuilding a React UI from a video using Replay. We'll focus on a simple example: a basic to-do list application.

Step 1: Record a Video#

The first step is to record a video of the to-do list application in action. Make sure to capture the following:

• •Adding new to-dos
• •Marking to-dos as complete
• •Deleting to-dos

The clearer the video, the better the results.

💡 Pro Tip: Speak clearly while recording, describing the actions you are performing. This provides additional context that Replay can leverage.

Step 2: Upload to Replay#

Navigate to the Replay platform and upload the video recording. Replay will automatically begin analyzing the video and reconstructing the UI.

Step 3: Review and Refine#

Once Replay has finished processing the video, you'll be presented with a reconstructed React component. Review the code and make any necessary refinements.

📝 Note: Replay's AI is constantly improving, but manual review is always recommended to ensure accuracy and quality.

Step 4: Integrate with Your Project#

Download the generated React component and integrate it into your existing project.

Step 5: Customize and Extend#

Customize the generated UI with style injection and extend its functionality as needed.

Example Code: Generated To-Do List Component#

Here's an example of the code that Replay might generate for a simple to-do list component:

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

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

const TodoList: React.FC = () => {
  const [todos, setTodos] = useState<Todo[]>([
    { id: 1, text: 'Learn React', completed: false },
    { id: 2, text: 'Build a to-do list', completed: true },
  ]);

  const [newTodo, setNewTodo] = useState('');

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

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

  const handleToggleComplete = (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>
      <h1>To-Do List</h1>
      <input
        type="text"
        value={newTodo}
        onChange={handleInputChange}
        placeholder="Add a new to-do"
      />
      <button onClick={handleAddTodo}>Add</button>
      <ul>
        {todos.map((todo) => (
          <li key={todo.id}>
            <input
              type="checkbox"
              checked={todo.completed}
              onChange={() => handleToggleComplete(todo.id)}
            />
            <span style={{ textDecoration: todo.completed ? 'line-through' : 'none' }}>
              {todo.text}
            </span>
            <button onClick={() => handleDeleteTodo(todo.id)}>Delete</button>
          </li>
        ))}
      </ul>
    </div>
  );
};

export default TodoList;

This code is a starting point. You can further customize it to fit your specific needs.

Beyond Basic Components: Complex Flows and Supabase Integration#

Replay isn't just limited to simple components. It can handle complex user flows and even integrate with backend services like Supabase.

Imagine recording a video of a user signing up for an account, navigating through different pages, and interacting with data. Replay can reconstruct this entire flow, generating the necessary React components, API calls, and database interactions.

Here's a simplified example of how Replay can generate code that interacts with Supabase:

typescript
// Assuming you have a Supabase client initialized
import { supabase } from './supabaseClient';

const fetchData = async () => {
  const { data, error } = await supabase
    .from('todos')
    .select('*');

  if (error) {
    console.error('Error fetching data:', error);
    return [];
  }

  return data;
};

Replay can analyze the video to understand how data is being fetched, updated, and displayed, and then generate the corresponding Supabase queries.

⚠️ Warning: Always sanitize user input and implement proper security measures when working with backend services. Replay can generate the basic code structure, but security is your responsibility.

The Future of UI Development#

Replay represents a significant step towards the future of UI development. By leveraging video as the source of truth, it bridges the gap between design and code, enabling developers to rapidly prototype and build complex applications.

Here's a comparison with other popular tools:

Frequently Asked Questions#

Is Replay free to use?#

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

How is Replay different from v0.dev?#

v0.dev generates UI components from text prompts, while Replay reconstructs UI from video recordings. Replay excels at capturing complex user flows and behaviors that are difficult to describe in text.

What frameworks does Replay support?#

Currently, Replay primarily supports React. Support for other frameworks is planned for future releases.

How accurate is the generated code?#

Replay's accuracy is constantly improving. However, manual review is always recommended to ensure the generated code meets your specific requirements.

Can Replay handle complex animations?#

Yes, Replay can analyze and reconstruct complex animations, capturing the nuances of user interactions.

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