How to Recreate a Complete Website from Video to Next.js with Replay: A Step-by-Step Tutorial

TL;DR: Learn how to recreate a complete website as a functional Next.js application directly from a video recording using Replay's behavior-driven reconstruction engine.

From Video to Code: Recreating a Website with Next.js and Replay#

The holy grail of web development has always been faster iteration. What if you could capture a user flow on video and have a working prototype in minutes? That's the promise of behavior-driven reconstruction, and Replay delivers it. Forget static screenshots; we're talking about understanding intent and translating it into functional code. This tutorial walks you through recreating a website as a Next.js application using Replay.

The Problem with Traditional Approaches#

Screenshot-to-code tools have limitations. They can generate basic HTML, but they fail to capture the dynamic aspects of a website: the button clicks, form submissions, and page transitions that define the user experience. They provide a visual representation, but not a functional one. Rebuilding a website from screenshots often becomes a tedious manual process, prone to errors and inconsistencies.

Replay takes a different approach. By analyzing video, it understands user behavior and reconstructs the website's functionality. This significantly reduces development time and ensures a more accurate representation of the original site.

What Makes Replay Different?#

Replay isn't just another screenshot-to-code tool. It's a video-to-code engine that leverages Gemini to understand user behavior and generate working UI. Here’s what sets it apart:

• •Behavior-Driven Reconstruction: Replay analyzes video to understand user intent, not just visual appearance.
• •Multi-Page Generation: Replay can generate code for entire websites, including multiple pages and navigation flows.
• •Supabase Integration: Seamlessly integrate with Supabase for backend functionality and data management.
• •Style Injection: Replay intelligently infers and applies styles, creating visually appealing and consistent UIs.
• •Product Flow Maps: Visualize user flows and identify areas for optimization.

💡 Pro Tip: Before recording, ensure the video clearly captures all user interactions, including mouse movements, clicks, and form inputs, for optimal reconstruction accuracy.

Step-by-Step Tutorial: Recreating a Website from Video to Next.js#

Let's walk through the process of recreating a website as a Next.js application using Replay.

Step 1: Capture the Video#

The first step is to capture a video recording of the website you want to recreate. Use a screen recording tool like Loom, QuickTime, or OBS Studio.

📝 Note: The quality of the video recording directly impacts the accuracy of the reconstruction. Ensure the video is clear, stable, and captures all relevant user interactions.

Step 2: Upload the Video to Replay#

Navigate to the Replay platform and upload the video recording. Replay supports various video formats, including MP4, MOV, and AVI.

Step 3: Replay Analyzes the Video#

Replay's AI engine analyzes the video, identifying UI elements, user interactions, and page transitions. This process may take a few minutes, depending on the length and complexity of the video.

Step 4: Review and Refine the Reconstruction#

Once the analysis is complete, Replay presents a reconstructed version of the website. Review the reconstruction and make any necessary adjustments. You can edit the generated code, modify styles, and add or remove elements.

⚠️ Warning: While Replay strives for accuracy, manual review is crucial to ensure the reconstructed website meets your specific requirements.

Step 5: Export as Next.js Codebase#

Replay allows you to export the reconstructed website as a Next.js codebase. This includes all the necessary components, pages, and styles.

Step 6: Configure Supabase (Optional)#

If the original website uses a backend, you can integrate the reconstructed Next.js application with Supabase. Replay provides seamless integration with Supabase, allowing you to easily connect to your existing database and manage data.

Step 7: Deploy and Test#

Once you have the Next.js codebase, you can deploy it to a hosting platform like Vercel or Netlify. Test the deployed application to ensure everything is working as expected.

Code Example: Generated Next.js Component#

Here's an example of a Next.js component generated by Replay:

typescript
// components/Button.tsx
import React from 'react';

interface ButtonProps {
  label: string;
  onClick: () => void;
  style?: React.CSSProperties;
}

const Button: React.FC<ButtonProps> = ({ label, onClick, style }) => {
  return (
    <button style={{
      backgroundColor: '#0070f3',
      color: 'white',
      padding: '10px 20px',
      border: 'none',
      borderRadius: '5px',
      cursor: 'pointer',
      ...style, // Allow overriding default styles
    }} onClick={onClick}>
      {label}
    </button>
  );
};

export default Button;

This component demonstrates how Replay can generate functional React components with inferred styles and event handlers. The

prop allows for easy customization and overriding of the default styles.

Code Example: Fetching Data with Supabase#

If your website requires data fetching, Replay can generate code that integrates with Supabase:

typescript
// pages/index.tsx
import { createClient } from '@supabase/supabase-js';
import { useState, useEffect } from 'react';

const supabaseUrl = process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_SUPABASE_URL || '';
const supabaseKey = process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_SUPABASE_ANON_KEY || '';
const supabase = createClient(supabaseUrl, supabaseKey);

export default function Home() {
  const [data, setData] = useState([]);

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

      if (error) {
        console.error('Error fetching data:', error);
      } else {
        setData(data);
      }
    }

    fetchData();
  }, []);

  return (
    <div>
      <h1>Data from Supabase</h1>
      <ul>
        {data.map((item: any) => (
          <li key={item.id}>{item.name}</li>
        ))}
      </ul>
    </div>
  );
}

This example demonstrates how to fetch data from a Supabase table and display it in a Next.js component. Remember to replace

with the actual name of your Supabase table.

Benefits of Using Replay#

• •Speed: Recreate websites in minutes instead of days or weeks.
• •Accuracy: Capture the functionality and user experience of the original site.
• •Efficiency: Reduce manual coding and debugging.
• •Collaboration: Easily share and collaborate on reconstructed websites.
• •Innovation: Explore new design ideas and iterate quickly.
  • •Accelerate time to market
  • •Reduce development costs
  • •Improve user experience

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 require more advanced functionality and higher usage limits. Check the Replay website for current pricing details.

How is Replay different from v0.dev?#

While both tools aim to generate code, Replay focuses on behavior-driven reconstruction from video, understanding user flows and interactions. V0.dev typically uses text prompts and AI to generate UI components, but doesn't inherently capture existing user flows from video recordings like Replay does. Replay focuses on replicating existing functionality whereas v0.dev is primarily for creating new interfaces.

What types of websites can Replay recreate?#

Replay can recreate a wide range of websites, including e-commerce sites, blogs, landing pages, and web applications. The complexity of the website and the clarity of the video recording will affect the accuracy and completeness of the reconstruction.

What if the generated code isn't perfect?#

Replay is designed to generate high-quality code, but manual review and refinement may be necessary. The generated code provides a solid foundation, but you can always customize and extend it to meet your specific requirements.

What kind of video recording produces the best results?#

A clear, stable recording with minimal background noise is ideal. Make sure the entire screen is visible, and that all user interactions (mouse movements, clicks, form inputs) are clearly captured.

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