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January 5, 20267 min readReplay AI for

Replay AI for building IoT dashboards from UI videos: A Step-by-Step Guide 2026

R
Replay Team
Developer Advocates

TL;DR: Build fully functional IoT dashboards from video recordings using Replay AI, leveraging its behavior-driven reconstruction capabilities to automatically generate code.

The dream of instantly converting ideas into working code is now a reality, especially for complex applications like IoT dashboards. Forget manually coding every chart, button, and data stream. Replay AI, powered by Gemini, allows you to reconstruct working UIs directly from screen recordings. This isn't just screenshot-to-code; it's behavior-driven reconstruction. We analyze video to understand user intent and interaction, resulting in more accurate and functional code.

Why Video-to-Code is a Game Changer for IoT Dashboards#

IoT dashboards are notoriously time-consuming to build. They require integrating numerous data sources, designing intuitive interfaces, and ensuring real-time updates. Traditional methods are often slow, error-prone, and require specialized expertise.

Replay offers a radically different approach. By analyzing videos of existing dashboards, mockups, or even whiteboard sketches, Replay generates the necessary code, significantly accelerating development and reducing the barrier to entry. Imagine recording a quick demo of your ideal dashboard, and Replay instantly providing the React components, data bindings, and styling.

Replay AI: How It Works#

Replay uses a sophisticated process called Behavior-Driven Reconstruction. Unlike tools that merely convert static images to code, Replay analyzes the dynamic aspects of the video:

  1. Video Analysis: Replay dissects the video frame by frame, identifying UI elements, animations, and user interactions.
  2. Behavior Interpretation: Using Gemini's AI capabilities, Replay interprets the intent behind these interactions. What is the user trying to accomplish? What data is being displayed?
  3. Code Generation: Replay generates clean, functional code (React, Vue, etc.) that accurately reflects the observed behavior.
  4. Integration: Replay seamlessly integrates with popular backend services like Supabase, allowing you to connect your dashboard to real-time data streams.

Key Features#

  • Multi-Page Generation: Handles complex dashboards with multiple views and navigation flows.
  • Supabase Integration: Effortlessly connect your dashboard to a scalable backend.
  • Style Injection: Customize the look and feel of your dashboard with CSS or Tailwind.
  • Product Flow Maps: Visualize the user flow and interactions within your dashboard.

Step-by-Step Guide: Building an IoT Dashboard with Replay#

Here’s how to build an IoT dashboard using Replay, starting from a video recording.

Step 1: Record Your Dashboard Demo#

Create a video recording of your ideal IoT dashboard. This can be a demo of an existing dashboard, a mockup created in a design tool, or even a simple whiteboard sketch. The key is to clearly demonstrate the desired functionality and user interactions.

💡 Pro Tip: Speak clearly and explain your actions during the recording. This provides valuable context for Replay's AI engine.

Step 2: Upload to Replay#

Upload your video to the Replay platform. Replay will automatically begin analyzing the video and reconstructing the UI.

Step 3: Review and Refine#

Once the reconstruction is complete, review the generated code and UI. Replay provides a visual interface for making adjustments and refinements.

📝 Note: The initial reconstruction may not be perfect. Use Replay's editing tools to fine-tune the code and UI to match your exact requirements.

Step 4: Integrate with Supabase#

Connect your Replay project to your Supabase database. This allows you to populate your dashboard with real-time data from your IoT devices.

typescript
// Example: Fetching data 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 fetchData = async () => { const { data, error } = await supabase .from('sensor_data') .select('*') .order('timestamp', { ascending: false }) .limit(10); if (error) { console.error("Error fetching data:", error); return []; } return data; }; // Example usage in a React component import React, { useState, useEffect } from 'react'; function MyDashboard() { const [sensorData, setSensorData] = useState([]); useEffect(() => { const getSensorData = async () => { const data = await fetchData(); setSensorData(data); }; getSensorData(); }, []); return ( <div> {sensorData.map((item) => ( <div key={item.id}> Temperature: {item.temperature}, Humidity: {item.humidity} </div> ))} </div> ); } export default MyDashboard;

Step 5: Deploy Your Dashboard#

Deploy your completed dashboard to your preferred hosting platform. You now have a fully functional IoT dashboard built from a simple video recording!

Replay vs. Traditional Methods and Other Tools#

Let's compare Replay to traditional development methods and other AI-powered code generation tools.

FeatureTraditional CodingScreenshot-to-CodeLow-Code PlatformsReplay
Development SpeedSlowModerateModerateFast
Code QualityHigh (if skilled)LowModerateHigh
Design FlexibilityHighLowModerateHigh
Learning CurveSteepModerateModerateLow
Data IntegrationComplexLimitedModerateSeamless (Supabase)
Understanding User IntentManualNoneLimitedAutomatic
Video Input
Behavior AnalysisPartial
CostHigh (Developer time)LowModerateCompetitive

And here's a comparison to other AI tools:

Featurev0.devDhiWiseReplay
Code GenerationAI-assisted text promptTemplate-basedBehavior-Driven Video Analysis
Design FlexibilityLimited by promptsLimited by templatesHigh
Learning CurveModerateModerateLow
Data IntegrationRequires manual setupRequires manual setupSeamless (Supabase)
Video Input
Behavior Analysis

Addressing Common Concerns#

  • Accuracy: Replay's accuracy depends on the quality of the video and the clarity of the demonstrated interactions. However, Replay's editing tools allow you to easily correct any errors or omissions.
  • Complexity: Replay can handle complex dashboards with multiple pages and intricate data flows.
  • Customization: Replay provides full control over the generated code, allowing you to customize the look and feel of your dashboard to match your brand.

⚠️ Warning: Replay is not a replacement for skilled developers. It's a powerful tool that can significantly accelerate development, but it still requires human oversight and expertise.

Benefits of Using Replay for IoT Dashboard Development#

  • Accelerated Development: Reduce development time by up to 80%.
  • Reduced Costs: Lower development costs by automating code generation.
  • Improved Code Quality: Generate clean, functional code that adheres to best practices.
  • Enhanced Collaboration: Easily share and iterate on dashboard designs with stakeholders.
  • Democratized Development: Empower non-technical users to contribute to dashboard development.

Frequently Asked Questions#

Is Replay free to use?#

Replay offers a free tier with limited features. 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 Replay and v0.dev use AI to generate code, Replay utilizes a fundamentally different approach. v0.dev relies on text prompts to guide code generation, whereas Replay analyzes video recordings to understand user behavior and intent. This behavior-driven approach results in more accurate and functional code, especially for complex applications like IoT dashboards.

What frameworks does Replay support?#

Currently, Replay primarily supports React. Support for Vue and other popular frameworks is planned for future releases.

What kind of videos work best with Replay?#

Videos with clear visuals, minimal noise, and well-defined user interactions yield the best results. Explain what you are doing during the video to give Replay more context.

Can Replay handle real-time data updates?#

Yes! By integrating with Supabase, Replay can easily handle real-time data updates in your IoT dashboards.


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