TL;DR: Recreate a fully functional React Native podcast app from a video recording using Replay's behavior-driven reconstruction in minutes, complete with Supabase integration and custom styling.
The year is 2026. Screenshot-to-code is ancient history. We're now reconstructing entire applications from video. Forget static images; we're talking about capturing the dynamic flow of user interactions and turning them into working code. I'm going to show you how to recreate a modern podcast app from a video recording using Replay, showcasing its power and unique capabilities.
The Problem: Traditional Development Bottlenecks#
Building a modern mobile app, even a seemingly simple one like a podcast player, involves numerous steps:
- •UI design and prototyping
- •Front-end development (React Native in this case)
- •Back-end integration (Supabase for our example)
- •Styling and responsiveness
- •Testing and refinement
Each of these steps can be time-consuming and require specialized skills. Traditional "screenshot-to-code" tools only address a tiny fraction of this complexity. They can generate some basic UI elements, but they completely miss the behavior and intent behind the user interactions. This is where Replay shines.
Replay: Behavior-Driven Reconstruction#
Replay is a video-to-code engine that leverages the power of Gemini to reconstruct fully functional UIs from screen recordings. Instead of just analyzing pixels, Replay understands what the user is trying to do based on their actions in the video. This "behavior-driven reconstruction" approach allows it to generate code that is not only visually accurate but also logically sound.
Key Features#
- •Multi-page Generation: Replay can analyze videos that demonstrate navigation between multiple screens, generating code for entire application flows.
- •Supabase Integration: Seamlessly integrate with Supabase for data storage, authentication, and real-time updates.
- •Style Injection: Customize the look and feel of your app with CSS-in-JS or other styling solutions.
- •Product Flow Maps: Visualize the user's journey through the app, making it easier to understand and modify the generated code.
Recreating a Podcast App: A Step-by-Step Guide#
Let's walk through the process of recreating a podcast app from a video recording using Replay.
Step 1: Capturing the Video#
First, you'll need a video recording of the podcast app in action. This could be a demo video, a user testing session, or even just a recording of yourself using the app. The key is to capture all the essential user interactions, such as:
- •Browsing podcast episodes
- •Playing and pausing audio
- •Navigating between screens
- •Searching for podcasts
💡 Pro Tip: The clearer and more comprehensive the video, the better the results will be. Aim for a stable recording with good audio quality.
Step 2: Uploading to Replay#
Once you have the video, upload it to Replay. The platform will automatically analyze the video and begin the reconstruction process. This can take a few minutes, depending on the length and complexity of the video.
Step 3: Reviewing and Refining the Generated Code#
After the reconstruction is complete, Replay will present you with the generated code. This code will typically include:
- •React Native components for each screen
- •Navigation logic to handle transitions between screens
- •API calls to fetch podcast data from Supabase (if applicable)
- •Basic styling to match the appearance of the original app
Review the code carefully and make any necessary adjustments. You may need to:
- •Refine the styling to match your desired aesthetic
- •Add or modify API calls to integrate with your specific Supabase setup
- •Implement additional features or functionality
Step 4: Integrating with Supabase#
If your podcast app relies on a back-end service like Supabase, you'll need to integrate the generated code with your Supabase project. This typically involves:
- •Setting up a Supabase project with the necessary tables and schemas.
- •Configuring API keys and authentication settings in your React Native app.
- •Modifying the generated code to use the Supabase client library to interact with your database.
Here's an example of how to fetch podcast episodes from Supabase using the Supabase client library:
typescript// Fetch podcast episodes from Supabase import { createClient } from '@supabase/supabase-js'; const supabaseUrl = 'YOUR_SUPABASE_URL'; const supabaseKey = 'YOUR_SUPABASE_ANON_KEY'; const supabase = createClient(supabaseUrl, supabaseKey); const fetchEpisodes = async () => { const { data, error } = await supabase .from('episodes') .select('*'); if (error) { console.error('Error fetching episodes:', error); return []; } return data; }; export default fetchEpisodes;
📝 Note: Replace
andtextYOUR_SUPABASE_URLwith your actual Supabase credentials.textYOUR_SUPABASE_ANON_KEY
Step 5: Adding Custom Styling#
The generated code will likely include some basic styling, but you'll probably want to customize the look and feel of your app to match your brand or personal preferences. Replay supports various styling solutions, including CSS-in-JS libraries like Styled Components or Emotion.
Here's an example of how to style a React Native component using Styled Components:
typescript// Styled component example import styled from 'styled-components/native'; const PodcastTitle = styled.Text` font-size: 20px; font-weight: bold; color: #333; `; export default PodcastTitle;
Step 6: Testing and Deployment#
Once you've integrated with Supabase and added custom styling, it's time to test your app thoroughly. Make sure all the features are working as expected and that the app is responsive on different devices and screen sizes.
After testing, you can deploy your app to the app stores or distribute it through other channels.
Replay vs. Traditional Methods#
| Feature | Screenshot-to-Code | Manual Development | Replay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Input | Static Images | Code/Design Specs | Video |
| Behavior Analysis | ❌ | ✅ (Manual) | ✅ |
| Multi-Page Support | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Time to Prototype | Medium | Long | Short |
| Accuracy | Low | High | High |
| Learning Curve | Low | High | Low |
| Supabase Integration | Limited | ✅ | ✅ |
| Maintenance | High | Medium | Medium |
⚠️ Warning: Replay is not a magic bullet. While it can significantly accelerate the development process, it still requires human oversight and refinement. The quality of the generated code depends heavily on the quality of the input video.
Benefits of Using Replay#
- •Faster Development: Recreate apps in minutes instead of days or weeks.
- •Reduced Costs: Minimize the need for manual coding and design.
- •Improved Accuracy: Capture the nuances of user behavior and intent.
- •Increased Collaboration: Share video recordings and generated code with your team.
- •Enhanced Innovation: Experiment with new ideas and iterate quickly.
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 generate code, they differ significantly in their approach. v0.dev relies on text prompts and predefined components, while Replay analyzes video recordings to understand user behavior and reconstruct the UI accordingly. Replay focuses on capturing the intent behind the UI, leading to more accurate and functional code generation.
What types of apps can Replay recreate?#
Replay can recreate a wide variety of apps, including mobile apps, web apps, and desktop apps. The key is to provide a clear and comprehensive video recording of the app in action.
What if the generated code isn't perfect?#
The generated code is a starting point, not a finished product. You'll likely need to refine the code, add custom styling, and integrate with your back-end services. However, Replay can save you a significant amount of time and effort by automating the initial reconstruction process.
What are the limitations of Replay?#
Replay's accuracy depends on the quality of the input video. Poorly recorded videos or videos with complex interactions may result in less accurate code generation. Additionally, Replay may not be able to handle highly customized or unconventional UI elements.
Ready to try behavior-driven code generation? Get started with Replay - transform any video into working code in seconds.