How to Rebuild a SaaS Dashboard from Video to Production-Ready Code with Replay (2026)

TL;DR: Replay lets you reconstruct entire SaaS dashboards from video recordings into production-ready code, leveraging behavior-driven reconstruction for unparalleled accuracy and functionality.

The year is 2026. You've just inherited a legacy SaaS project. The original developers are long gone. The documentation is... sparse. But you do have a series of screen recordings showcasing the app's core workflows. Sound familiar? Traditionally, you'd be stuck reverse-engineering everything, pixel by painful pixel. But not anymore. Replay is here to change the game.

The Problem: Reverse Engineering Legacy UI is a Nightmare#

Let's face it: reverse engineering UI is a soul-crushing task. You're essentially trying to decipher the intent behind every click, hover, and form submission. Screenshot-to-code tools offer a semblance of help, but they fall apart when faced with dynamic content, complex interactions, and multi-page workflows. They capture what the UI looks like, but not how it works.

The Replay Revolution: Behavior-Driven Reconstruction#

Replay takes a fundamentally different approach. Instead of relying on static images, Replay analyzes video recordings of user interactions. This allows it to understand the behavior driving the UI, not just its appearance. Using advanced AI models powered by Gemini, Replay reconstructs the UI with a deep understanding of user intent, resulting in code that's not only visually accurate but also functionally correct.

Here's how Replay stacks up against traditional methods:

Rebuilding a SaaS Dashboard: A Step-by-Step Guide#

Let's walk through a practical example: rebuilding a core dashboard component from a video recording using Replay.

Step 1: Preparing Your Video#

The quality of your video directly impacts Replay's accuracy.

• •Clarity: Ensure the video is recorded at a high resolution (at least 1080p).
• •Focus: Keep the relevant UI elements in focus throughout the recording.
• •Complete Flows: Capture entire user flows, from initial page load to final action. Don't just show snippets; show the entire process.
• •Avoid Distractions: Minimize background noise and irrelevant screen activity.

💡 Pro Tip: Use a screen recording tool that allows you to highlight mouse clicks and key presses. This provides Replay with valuable contextual information. OBS Studio and Loom are excellent choices.

Step 2: Uploading to Replay#

1. •Navigate to the Replay platform (https://replay.build).
2. •Create an account or log in.
3. •Click the "Upload Video" button.
4. •Select the video file containing your SaaS dashboard recording.
5. •Provide a descriptive name for the project.

Step 3: Configuring the Reconstruction#

Replay offers several configuration options to fine-tune the reconstruction process.

• •Target Framework: Specify the desired framework (e.g., React, Vue.js, Angular).
• •Styling Method: Choose your preferred styling approach (e.g., CSS Modules, Styled Components, Tailwind CSS).
• •Component Structure: Define how Replay should break down the UI into reusable components.

📝 Note: Replay's default settings are often a good starting point. Experiment with different configurations to achieve optimal results.

Step 4: Generating the Code#

Click the "Generate Code" button. Replay will now analyze the video and reconstruct the UI. This process may take several minutes, depending on the length and complexity of the recording.

Step 5: Reviewing and Refining the Code#

Once the code generation is complete, Replay presents you with a preview of the reconstructed UI and the corresponding code.

• •Inspect the UI: Verify that the UI accurately reflects the original design.
• •Examine the Code: Review the generated code for correctness and readability.
• •Identify Discrepancies: Note any areas where the reconstruction deviates from the original design or functionality.

⚠️ Warning: While Replay is incredibly accurate, it's essential to review and refine the generated code. No AI is perfect, and manual adjustments may be necessary.

Step 6: Integrating with Supabase (Optional)#

Replay offers seamless integration with Supabase, allowing you to quickly connect your reconstructed UI to a backend database.

1. •In the Replay project settings, enter your Supabase API URL and API key.
2. •Replay will automatically generate the necessary data fetching and mutation logic.

Here's an example of how Replay might generate a data fetching function using Supabase:

typescript
// Generated by Replay
import { supabase } from './supabaseClient';

export const fetchDashboardData = async () => {
  const { data, error } = await supabase
    .from('dashboard_data')
    .select('*');

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

  return data;
};

Step 7: Style Injection#

Replay can inject styles based on your preferred styling method. For example, if you selected Tailwind CSS, Replay would generate code like this:

jsx
// Generated by Replay
import React from 'react';

const DashboardHeader = () => {
  return (
    <div className="bg-gray-800 text-white p-4 flex justify-between items-center">
      <h1 className="text-xl font-bold">Dashboard</h1>
      <button className="bg-blue-500 hover:bg-blue-700 text-white font-bold py-2 px-4 rounded">
        Add New
      </button>
    </div>
  );
};

export default DashboardHeader;

Step 8: Product Flow Maps#

Replay automatically generates product flow maps from the video analysis. This gives you a visual representation of the user journey, making it easier to understand and optimize the application's navigation.

Key Benefits of Using Replay#

• •Accelerated Development: Rebuild UIs in days instead of months.
• •Reduced Costs: Minimize manual reverse engineering efforts.
• •Improved Accuracy: Capture the nuances of user behavior.
• •Enhanced Collaboration: Share video recordings and reconstructed code with your team.
• •Future-Proofing: Preserve legacy knowledge in a usable format.

Frequently Asked Questions#

Is Replay free to use?#

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

How is Replay different from v0.dev?#

While both tools aim to generate code from UI, Replay focuses on behavior-driven reconstruction from video input. v0.dev primarily uses text prompts and generates UI based on a desired aesthetic, not necessarily a pre-existing functional application. Replay understands how a UI works, not just how it looks.

What frameworks does Replay support?#

Replay currently supports React, Vue.js, and Angular. Support for other frameworks is planned for future releases.

What types of videos work best with Replay?#

Videos with clear, focused recordings of complete user flows yield the best results. Avoid videos with excessive background noise, distractions, or low resolution.

Can Replay handle complex animations and transitions?#

Replay is designed to handle a wide range of UI elements, including animations and transitions. However, extremely complex or custom animations may require manual adjustments.

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