Replay AI for creating React component libraries from UI video: a practical guide

TL;DR: Replay AI reconstructs React component libraries from UI videos, enabling rapid prototyping and design system creation without manual coding.

Stop manually coding React components from scratch. Design systems languishing in Figma? Existing screenshot-to-code tools fall short because they only understand visuals, not user behavior. Replay changes the game. We use AI to analyze videos of UI interactions and reconstruct working React components, complete with styling and functionality. This guide shows you how to create a React component library from UI video using Replay.

Understanding Behavior-Driven Reconstruction#

Replay's core innovation is "Behavior-Driven Reconstruction." Instead of just converting static images into code, Replay analyzes video to understand the intent behind user actions. This means Replay can infer the underlying logic and state management, resulting in more robust and functional components.

Why Video Matters#

Think about it: a screenshot can only show a single state of a button. Does it change color on hover? Does it trigger a modal? Screenshots can't capture these dynamic behaviors. Replay, on the other hand, analyzes the video to understand these interactions and generate code that reflects them.

The Problem with Screenshot-to-Code#

Screenshot-to-code tools have limitations. They produce code that's often brittle and requires significant manual tweaking. They struggle with dynamic elements, state management, and complex interactions. Replay addresses these shortcomings by analyzing video, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the UI.

Creating a React Component Library with Replay#

Here's a practical guide to creating a React component library from UI video using Replay. We'll walk through the process step-by-step.

Step 1: Capture the UI Video#

First, you need a clear video recording of the UI you want to convert into React components.

💡 Pro Tip: Use a screen recording tool like OBS Studio or Loom. Ensure the video is high-quality and captures all relevant interactions. Focus on capturing the different states and interactions of each component (hover, click, focus, etc.).

Consider these points when recording:

• •Single Component Focus: Record each component in isolation for better accuracy.
• •Complete Interactions: Capture all possible states and interactions (hover, focus, click, etc.).
• •Clear Visuals: Ensure the video is sharp and well-lit. Avoid distractions in the background.

Step 2: Upload and Process the Video in Replay#

Next, upload the video to Replay. Replay's AI engine will analyze the video and reconstruct the UI elements as React components.

📝 Note: The processing time depends on the length and complexity of the video. Replay will provide progress updates during the analysis.

Step 3: Review and Refine the Generated Code#

Once Replay has processed the video, you'll be presented with the generated React code. It's crucial to review the code and make any necessary refinements.

typescript
// Example generated React component from Replay
import React, { useState } from 'react';
import './Button.css';

interface ButtonProps {
  label: string;
  onClick: () => void;
}

const Button: React.FC<ButtonProps> = ({ label, onClick }) => {
  const [isHovered, setIsHovered] = useState(false);

  return (
    <button
      className={`button ${isHovered ? 'button--hovered' : ''}`}
      onClick={onClick}
      onMouseEnter={() => setIsHovered(true)}
      onMouseLeave={() => setIsHovered(false)}
    >
      {label}
    </button>
  );
};

export default Button;

⚠️ Warning: While Replay strives for accuracy, manual review is always recommended to ensure the code meets your specific requirements. Pay close attention to state management, event handling, and styling.

Here are some areas to focus on during the review:

• •State Management: Verify that the state is correctly managed for different interactions.
• •Event Handling: Ensure that events (clicks, hovers, etc.) are handled appropriately.
• •Styling: Check that the CSS styles are accurate and consistent.
• •Accessibility: Ensure that the components are accessible (ARIA attributes, keyboard navigation).

Step 4: Integrate with Supabase (Optional)#

Replay seamlessly integrates with Supabase, allowing you to connect your components to a backend database. This enables you to easily create data-driven components.

To integrate with Supabase, you'll need to:

1. •Create a Supabase project: If you don't already have one, create a new project on the Supabase platform.
2. •Configure Replay: Provide your Supabase API URL and API key to Replay.
3. •Map data fields: Specify how the data fields in your Supabase database should be mapped to the component properties.

Step 5: Style Injection#

Replay allows you to inject custom styles into the generated components. This gives you fine-grained control over the look and feel of your component library.

You can inject styles using CSS, Sass, or styled-components. Replay will automatically apply these styles to the generated components.

Step 6: Create Product Flow Maps#

Replay can also generate product flow maps from the UI videos. These maps visually represent the user's journey through your application.

Product flow maps can be used to:

• •Identify areas where users are getting stuck.
• •Optimize the user experience.
• •Improve conversion rates.

Benefits of Using Replay for Component Library Creation#

Using Replay to create your React component library offers several benefits:

• •Speed: Generate components in seconds, significantly reducing development time.
• •Accuracy: Behavior-driven reconstruction ensures accurate and functional components.
• •Consistency: Maintain a consistent look and feel across your application.
• •Collaboration: Share videos and generated code with your team for seamless collaboration.
• •Reduced Manual Effort: Minimize manual coding and focus on higher-level tasks.

Addressing Common Concerns#

Code Quality#

Replay generates clean, well-structured React code that adheres to best practices. However, manual review is always recommended to ensure the code meets your specific requirements.

Accuracy#

Replay's behavior-driven reconstruction significantly improves accuracy compared to screenshot-to-code tools. However, the accuracy depends on the quality of the input video.

Scalability#

Replay is designed to handle complex UIs and large component libraries. It can efficiently process videos and generate code for a wide range of components.

Customization#

Replay allows you to customize the generated code through style injection and manual editing. This gives you fine-grained control over the look and feel of your component library.

Replay vs. Other Tools#

Let's compare Replay to other popular UI development tools:

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 out the pricing page for details.

How is Replay different from v0.dev?#

v0.dev generates UI based on text prompts, while Replay reconstructs UI from video. Replay understands user behavior and creates more functional and accurate components.

What kind of videos work best with Replay?#

High-quality videos with clear visuals and complete interactions work best. Focus on capturing all possible states and interactions of each component.

What if the generated code isn't perfect?#

Replay is designed to generate high-quality code, but manual review is always recommended. You can easily edit the generated code to meet your specific requirements.

Can Replay handle complex animations?#

Replay can handle many animations, but complex animations may require manual adjustments.

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