How to Recreate a SaaS Dashboard from Video to Shadcn/ui Components with Replay

TL;DR: Replay leverages video analysis to reconstruct a complete SaaS dashboard, generating clean, functional Shadcn/ui components ready for production.

Rebuilding user interfaces from scratch is tedious. Existing screenshot-to-code tools offer a starting point, but often miss crucial interactive elements and user flows. What if you could simply record a video of a working dashboard and have the entire UI, complete with functionality, reconstructed as code? That's the power of Replay.

Understanding Behavior-Driven Reconstruction#

Replay takes a fundamentally different approach compared to traditional UI generation tools. Instead of relying on static images, Replay analyzes video recordings of user interactions. This "behavior-driven reconstruction" allows Replay to understand the intent behind each click, scroll, and form submission. This enables it to accurately recreate complex UI components and dynamic behaviors.

The Problem with Screenshot-to-Code#

Screenshot-to-code tools are limited by their reliance on static images. They can identify visual elements, but they can't understand the relationships between those elements or the user's intent. This often results in incomplete or inaccurate code that requires significant manual rework.

Consider the following comparison:

Replay overcomes these limitations by treating video as the source of truth, capturing the complete user experience and translating it into functional code.

Recreating a SaaS Dashboard with Replay and Shadcn/ui#

Let's walk through the process of recreating a SaaS dashboard from a video recording using Replay, focusing on generating components compatible with Shadcn/ui.

Step 1: Recording the Dashboard#

The first step is to record a video of the dashboard you want to recreate. Ensure the recording captures all relevant user interactions, including:

• •Navigation between pages
• •Form submissions
• •Data filtering and sorting
• •Interactive charts and graphs
• •Any other dynamic elements

💡 Pro Tip: A clean, well-structured video will result in a more accurate and complete code reconstruction. Keep the recording concise and focus on demonstrating the key features of the dashboard.

Step 2: Uploading to Replay#

Upload the video recording to Replay. Replay's AI engine will begin analyzing the video, identifying UI elements, user interactions, and data flows. This process can take a few minutes depending on the length and complexity of the video.

Step 3: Configuring Output Settings#

Before generating the code, configure the output settings to ensure compatibility with Shadcn/ui. This includes specifying the desired component library (Shadcn/ui), the target programming language (TypeScript), and any custom styling preferences.

Step 4: Generating the Code#

Click the "Generate Code" button. Replay will now reconstruct the dashboard as a set of Shadcn/ui components. This process leverages Gemini to intelligently translate the video analysis into clean, functional code.

Step 5: Integrating with Your Project#

Download the generated code and integrate it into your existing project. The code will be structured as a set of reusable Shadcn/ui components, ready to be customized and extended.

typescript
// Example of a generated Shadcn/ui component
import { Card, CardContent, CardHeader, CardTitle } from "@/components/ui/card";

interface DashboardCardProps {
  title: string;
  value: number;
  description: string;
}

const DashboardCard: React.FC<DashboardCardProps> = ({ title, value, description }) => {
  return (
    <Card>
      <CardHeader>
        <CardTitle>{title}</CardTitle>
      </CardHeader>
      <CardContent>
        <div className="text-2xl font-bold">{value}</div>
        <p className="text-muted-foreground">{description}</p>
      </CardContent>
    </Card>
  );
};

export default DashboardCard;

This code snippet demonstrates a basic dashboard card component generated by Replay. It utilizes Shadcn/ui's

, , , and components to create a visually appealing and functional UI element.

Step 6: Customizing and Extending#

The generated code provides a solid foundation for your SaaS dashboard. You can now customize the components, add new features, and integrate them with your backend data sources.

📝 Note: While Replay generates functional code, some manual adjustments may be necessary to fine-tune the UI and ensure seamless integration with your existing codebase.

Key Features of Replay for SaaS Dashboard Reconstruction#

Replay offers several key features that make it ideal for recreating SaaS dashboards:

• •Multi-Page Generation: Replay can analyze videos that span multiple pages, accurately reconstructing complex navigation flows.
• •Supabase Integration: Seamlessly integrate with Supabase for data storage and authentication.
• •Style Injection: Apply custom styles to the generated components to match your brand identity.
• •Product Flow Maps: Visualize the user flow through the dashboard, providing valuable insights into user behavior.

Advanced Techniques: Handling Dynamic Data#

SaaS dashboards often display dynamic data that changes in real-time. Replay can handle this by analyzing the video to identify data sources and update mechanisms. The generated code will include placeholders for data binding, which you can then connect to your backend API.

typescript
// Example of a component with data binding placeholder
import { useEffect, useState } from "react";
import { Chart } from "@/components/ui/chart";

interface SalesChartProps {
  // Placeholder for data source
  dataSource: string;
}

const SalesChart: React.FC<SalesChartProps> = ({ dataSource }) => {
  const [data, setData] = useState([]);

  useEffect(() => {
    // TODO: Fetch data from dataSource
    // Example:
    // const fetchData = async () => {
    //   const response = await fetch(dataSource);
    //   const jsonData = await response.json();
    //   setData(jsonData);
    // };
    // fetchData();

    // Replace with your actual data fetching logic
    setData([
      { name: "Jan", sales: 100 },
      { name: "Feb", sales: 200 },
      { name: "Mar", sales: 150 },
    ]);
  }, [dataSource]);

  return (
    <Chart data={data} />
  );
};

export default SalesChart;

⚠️ Warning: Remember to replace the placeholder data fetching logic with your actual implementation to connect the component to your backend API.

Comparison with Other UI Generation Tools#

Replay distinguishes itself by its ability to analyze video recordings and reconstruct complex UIs with a high degree of accuracy. While other tools rely on text prompts or UI kits, Replay leverages the power of video to understand user behavior and intent.

Frequently Asked Questions#

Is Replay free to use?#

Replay offers a free tier with limited features. Paid plans are available for users who require more advanced functionality and higher usage limits. Check the pricing page for detailed information.

How is Replay different from v0.dev?#

v0.dev generates UI components based on text prompts, while Replay analyzes video recordings to reconstruct complete UIs. Replay understands user behavior and intent, resulting in more accurate and functional code.

What types of videos work best with Replay?#

Clear, well-structured videos that capture all relevant user interactions will produce the best results. Avoid excessive camera movement or distractions in the background.

Can Replay generate code for complex animations and transitions?#

Replay can detect and reconstruct basic animations and transitions. However, more complex animations may require manual implementation.

What if Replay doesn't perfectly recreate the UI?#

Replay provides a solid foundation for your UI. You can always customize the generated code and add new features to meet your specific requirements. The goal is to significantly reduce the amount of manual coding required, not to eliminate it entirely.

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