How to Recreate a Complex Online Banking Dashboard from Video to React with Replay

TL;DR: Recreate a complex online banking dashboard from a screen recording using Replay's behavior-driven reconstruction, generating React code that understands user flows, not just static visuals.

The era of screenshot-to-code is over. It's time for video-to-code, and specifically, behavior-driven code generation. Trying to rebuild complex user interfaces like online banking dashboards from static images is an exercise in futility. You get a pretty picture, but zero understanding of the underlying logic, user flows, or dynamic data interactions. We're talking about recreating functional software, not just visual clones. That's where Replay comes in.

The Screenshot-to-Code Trap: Why It Fails for Complex UIs#

Screenshot-to-code tools offer a quick win for simple layouts, but they crumble under the weight of complex, multi-page applications. An online banking dashboard is a prime example. It's not just about the look and feel; it's about the behavior. How does the system respond to clicks? How does data flow between components? What happens when a user initiates a transfer? Screenshots can't capture this.

Consider this comparison:

The table speaks for itself. Screenshot-to-code is a hammer, and complex UIs are screws. You might get something resembling the original, but it will be static, brittle, and require extensive manual rework.

Replay: Behavior-Driven Reconstruction in Action#

Replay takes a fundamentally different approach. Instead of analyzing static images, it analyzes video recordings of user interactions. It leverages the power of Gemini to understand the intent behind those interactions, reconstructing the UI with working code that reflects the underlying behavior.

Here's how we can recreate a complex online banking dashboard from a video recording using Replay:

Step 1: Recording the User Flow#

The first step is to create a comprehensive screen recording of the desired banking dashboard functionality. This should include:

• •Logging in
• •Viewing account balances
• •Initiating a transfer
• •Viewing transaction history
• •Navigating between different sections

The more detail you capture in the recording, the better Replay can understand the intended behavior.

💡 Pro Tip: Speak clearly while recording, narrating the actions you are taking. This provides valuable context for Replay's AI engine and dramatically improves accuracy.

Step 2: Uploading and Processing with Replay#

Upload the video to Replay. The system will then:

1. •Analyze the video frame-by-frame.
2. •Identify UI elements and their relationships.
3. •Infer user intent based on mouse movements, clicks, and keyboard inputs.
4. •Generate React code that replicates the observed behavior.

This process typically takes a few minutes, depending on the length and complexity of the video.

Step 3: Reviewing and Refining the Generated Code#

Once the processing is complete, Replay presents you with the generated React code. This is not just a static representation of the UI; it's a fully functional component that replicates the behavior observed in the video.

You can then review and refine the code as needed. Replay provides a visual editor that allows you to:

• •Adjust the layout and styling.
• •Modify the data bindings.
• •Add custom logic.

📝 Note: While Replay strives for pixel-perfect accuracy, minor adjustments may be necessary to ensure optimal performance and compatibility with your existing codebase.

Step 4: Integrating with Supabase (or Your Backend)#

A crucial aspect of any online banking dashboard is data integration. Replay simplifies this process by offering seamless integration with Supabase. You can configure Replay to automatically generate the necessary API calls to fetch and update data from your Supabase database.

Here's an example of how Replay might generate code for fetching account balances:

typescript
// Generated by Replay
const fetchAccountBalances = async (userId: string) => {
  const { data, error } = await supabase
    .from('accounts')
    .select('balance')
    .eq('user_id', userId);

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

  return data;
};

// Usage in your component
const [balances, setBalances] = useState([]);

useEffect(() => {
  fetchAccountBalances(currentUser.id).then(setBalances);
}, [currentUser.id]);

This code snippet demonstrates how Replay automatically generates the Supabase query and integrates it into a React component using

.

Step 5: Style Injection for a Polished Look#

Replay also captures the styling from the video and injects it into the generated code. This ensures that the reconstructed UI closely resembles the original design. You can further customize the styling using CSS or a CSS-in-JS library like Styled Components.

⚠️ Warning: While Replay attempts to capture all styling information, some complex or custom styles may require manual adjustments.

Benefits of Behavior-Driven Reconstruction#

Using Replay for recreating complex UIs like online banking dashboards offers several key benefits:

• •Significant Time Savings: Automates the tedious and time-consuming process of manually coding the UI from scratch.
• •Improved Accuracy: Captures the nuances of user behavior that are often missed with traditional methods.
• •Enhanced Maintainability: Generates clean, well-structured code that is easy to understand and maintain.
• •Faster Iteration: Allows you to quickly prototype and iterate on new UI designs based on real-world user interactions.
• •Reduced Development Costs: Streamlines the development process, reducing the need for expensive manual labor.

Replay vs. Traditional Development: A Paradigm Shift#

Replay represents a paradigm shift in UI development. Instead of starting with a blank canvas and manually coding every element, you start with a video recording of the desired behavior and let Replay generate the initial code. This approach is faster, more accurate, and more efficient.

Consider the traditional development workflow for an online banking dashboard:

1. •Design the UI in Figma or Sketch.
2. •Manually code the UI in React.
3. •Implement the data bindings and business logic.
4. •Test and debug the application.

This process can take weeks or even months, depending on the complexity of the dashboard. With Replay, you can significantly reduce the development time by automating the UI coding process.

Frequently Asked Questions#

Is Replay free to use?#

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

How is Replay different from v0.dev?#

While both Replay and v0.dev aim to accelerate UI development, they differ significantly in their approach. v0.dev relies on AI to generate code based on text prompts, whereas Replay analyzes video recordings to understand user behavior and reconstruct the UI accordingly. Replay excels at capturing complex user flows and dynamic data interactions, making it particularly well-suited for recreating complex UIs like online banking dashboards.

What kind of video quality is needed for Replay to work effectively?#

Clear, high-resolution video is recommended. Make sure the UI elements are clearly visible and the user interactions are easily discernible. Avoid shaky footage or excessive background noise.

Can Replay handle animations and transitions?#

Yes, Replay can capture and reproduce animations and transitions. However, complex or highly customized animations may require manual adjustments.

---

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