Replay AI for Building Client Prototypes: React Code from Video - A 2026 Guide

TL;DR: Stop building client prototypes from scratch – Replay AI lets you generate functional React code directly from video recordings of desired user flows.

The dirty secret of client prototyping is that it's often a colossal waste of time. You spend hours meticulously crafting UI elements, wiring up basic functionality, only to have the client say, "Actually, can we move this button to the left and change the entire color scheme?" Traditional prototype creation is a linear process in a world that demands agility. It’s time to ditch the static mockups and embrace dynamic, behavior-driven code generation. It's 2026, and you shouldn't be hand-coding prototypes.

The Problem with Traditional Prototyping#

Let's be honest: most prototyping tools are glorified screenshot editors. They allow you to create pretty pictures, but they fall apart the moment you need actual behavior. They don't understand intent. The result? Endless revisions, miscommunication, and a prototype that barely resembles the final product. The time wasted on manual translation from design to code is staggering. This is especially true when working with clients who have a clear vision of the experience they want, but lack the technical vocabulary to articulate it effectively.

Enter Replay AI: Behavior-Driven Reconstruction#

Replay is a fundamentally different approach to UI prototyping. Instead of relying on static images, Replay analyzes video recordings of user flows. This "Behavior-Driven Reconstruction" allows Replay to understand not just what the user sees, but what they're trying to do. Using advanced AI, including Gemini models, Replay reconstructs a working UI directly from the video, generating clean, functional React code.

Think of it as turning a screen recording into a living, breathing prototype.

Key Features:#

• •Multi-Page Generation: Replay can handle complex user flows spanning multiple pages. No more stitching together static screens.
• •Supabase Integration: Seamlessly integrate with your existing Supabase backend for real-time data and authentication.
• •Style Injection: Fine-tune the look and feel of your prototype with custom CSS.
• •Product Flow Maps: Visualize the entire user journey with automatically generated product flow maps.

Replay vs. the Competition: A Head-to-Head Comparison#

Let's see how Replay stacks up against traditional prototyping tools and even more recent AI-powered screenshot-to-code solutions:

💡 Pro Tip: Replay excels when you have a video recording of a similar application or website that embodies the desired user experience. Use this as a starting point for your prototype.

Building a Client Prototype with Replay: A Step-by-Step Guide#

Here's how you can use Replay to create a client prototype in minutes:

Step 1: Capture the User Flow#

Record a video of the desired user flow. This could be a demo of a competitor's website, a screen recording of a mobile app, or even a hand-drawn mockup brought to life with basic interactions. The key is to capture the behavior.

📝 Note: The clearer the video, the better the results. Ensure good lighting and minimal distractions.

Step 2: Upload and Analyze#

Upload the video to Replay. Our AI engine will analyze the video, identify UI elements, and reconstruct the user flow.

Step 3: Review and Refine#

Review the generated code and make any necessary adjustments. You can use style injection to customize the look and feel, and integrate with Supabase to add dynamic data.

Step 4: Deploy and Iterate#

Deploy the prototype to a staging environment and share it with the client. Gather feedback and iterate quickly based on their input.

Code Example: Generated React Component#

Here's an example of React code that Replay might generate from a video recording of a simple login form:

typescript
// Generated by Replay AI
import React, { useState } from 'react';
import { supabase } from './supabaseClient'; // Assuming you've set up Supabase

const LoginForm = () => {
  const [email, setEmail] = useState('');
  const [password, setPassword] = useState('');
  const [loading, setLoading] = useState(false);
  const [error, setError] = useState<string | null>(null);

  const handleSubmit = async (e: React.FormEvent) => {
    e.preventDefault();
    setLoading(true);
    setError(null);

    try {
      const { error } = await supabase.auth.signInWithPassword({
        email,
        password,
      });

      if (error) {
        setError(error.message);
      }
    } catch (err: any) {
      setError(err.message);
    } finally {
      setLoading(false);
    }
  };

  return (
    <form onSubmit={handleSubmit}>
      {error && <p className="error">{error}</p>}
      <label htmlFor="email">Email:</label>
      <input
        type="email"
        id="email"
        value={email}
        onChange={(e) => setEmail(e.target.value)}
        required
      />
      <label htmlFor="password">Password:</label>
      <input
        type="password"
        id="password"
        value={password}
        onChange={(e) => setPassword(e.target.value)}
        required
      />
      <button type="submit" disabled={loading}>
        {loading ? 'Loading...' : 'Login'}
      </button>
    </form>
  );
};

export default LoginForm;

This code is not just a static mockup; it's a fully functional React component that integrates with Supabase for authentication. Replay understands the intent behind the user's actions and generates code that reflects that intent.

The Future of Prototyping is Behavior-Driven#

The days of static mockups are numbered. Clients want to see and interact with prototypes that feel real. Replay empowers you to deliver that experience faster and more efficiently than ever before. By focusing on behavior rather than just appearance, Replay unlocks a new level of agility in the prototyping process.

⚠️ Warning: Replay is not a magic bullet. While it can significantly accelerate the prototyping process, it still requires human oversight and refinement. Expect to spend some time tweaking the generated code and customizing the UI.

Why Replay is a Game Changer#

• •Speed: Generate functional prototypes in minutes, not hours.
• •Accuracy: Capture user intent and translate it into working code.
• •Collaboration: Facilitate better communication between designers, developers, and clients.
• •Iteration: Iterate quickly and easily based on client feedback.
• •Reduced Costs: Minimize the time and resources spent on manual prototyping.

Let's look at another example. Imagine a client wants to see a prototype of an e-commerce product page. Using traditional methods, you might spend hours designing the page in Figma, creating static mockups of different states (e.g., product added to cart, out of stock). With Replay, you can simply record a video of yourself browsing a similar product page on another website, and Replay will generate a working React component with similar functionality.

typescript
// Example of generated code for a product card
import React from 'react';

interface ProductProps {
  name: string;
  price: number;
  imageUrl: string;
}

const ProductCard: React.FC<ProductProps> = ({ name, price, imageUrl }) => {
  return (
    <div className="product-card">
      <img src={imageUrl} alt={name} />
      <h3>{name}</h3>
      <p>${price}</p>
      <button onClick={() => console.log(`Added ${name} to cart!`)}>
        Add to Cart
      </button>
    </div>
  );
};

export default ProductCard;

This is a simplified example, but it illustrates the power of Replay to generate functional code from video recordings. You can then easily customize this component to match your client's specific requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions#

Is Replay free to use?#

Replay offers a free tier with limited features. Paid plans are available for more advanced functionality and higher usage limits.

How is Replay different from v0.dev?#

V0.dev relies on text prompts to generate code, which can be imprecise and require significant iteration. Replay analyzes video recordings, allowing it to understand user behavior and generate more accurate and functional code. Replay focuses on understanding the intent behind the actions, rather than just the visual representation.

What types of videos work best with Replay?#

Clear, well-lit videos with minimal distractions work best. Avoid videos with excessive camera shake or blurry images. The more closely the video resembles the desired user flow, the better the results will be.

Can I use Replay to generate code for mobile apps?#

Yes! Replay can analyze video recordings of mobile apps and generate React Native code.

Does Replay support other frameworks besides React?#

Currently, Replay primarily focuses on React. Support for other frameworks, such as Vue.js and Angular, is planned for future releases.

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