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January 4, 20266 min readReplay AI: The

Replay AI: The Only Way to Convert User Testing Video to Functioning UI in 2026

R
Replay Team
Developer Advocates

TL;DR: Replay AI uses behavior-driven reconstruction of user testing videos to generate functional UI code, offering a superior alternative to screenshot-based or partial behavior analysis tools.

The Problem with Screenshot-to-Code: You're Missing the Story#

Let's face it: building UI is hard. We spend countless hours tweaking pixels, wrestling with frameworks, and debugging responsiveness. The promise of AI code generation has been tempting, but current solutions often fall short. Why? Because they're only seeing half the picture. Screenshot-to-code tools generate code from static images. They don't understand why a user clicked a button, how they navigated a flow, or what their ultimate goal was. This leads to brittle, incomplete code that requires significant manual intervention. In 2026, this approach is simply unacceptable.

Introducing Behavior-Driven Reconstruction with Replay AI#

Replay AI is a paradigm shift. We don't just look at screenshots; we analyze video. Specifically, user testing videos. We use advanced AI, powered by Gemini, to understand the behavior behind the UI interactions. This "behavior-driven reconstruction" allows Replay to generate complete, functional UI code that accurately reflects user intent. Forget stitching together disparate components – Replay builds the entire flow, end-to-end.

How it Works: Video as the Source of Truth#

Replay treats the user testing video as the single source of truth. Our AI engine meticulously analyzes the video, identifying:

  • UI elements (buttons, forms, text fields, etc.)
  • User interactions (clicks, scrolls, form submissions, etc.)
  • Navigation patterns (page transitions, modal appearances, etc.)
  • Data flow (input values, API calls, state changes, etc.)

This comprehensive understanding allows Replay to reconstruct the UI with unparalleled accuracy.

Key Features of Replay AI#

Replay offers a suite of features designed to streamline the UI development process:

  • Multi-page Generation: Generate code for entire user flows, not just single screens. ✅
  • Supabase Integration: Seamlessly connect to your Supabase backend for data persistence. ✅
  • Style Injection: Apply consistent styling based on your design system. ✅
  • Product Flow Maps: Visualize user flows and identify potential bottlenecks. ✅

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

The following table highlights the key differences between Replay and other code generation tools:

FeatureScreenshot-to-Code ToolsLow-Code PlatformsReplay
Input TypeScreenshotsDrag-and-DropVideo
Behavior AnalysisPartial
Code QualityBasic, often incompleteLimited CustomizationHigh-fidelity, functional
ScalabilityPoorModerateExcellent
IntegrationLimitedVariableSeamless with Supabase
Learning CurveLowModerateLow
Understanding User Intent

📝 Note: Low-code platforms often require significant upfront investment in learning their specific ecosystem. Replay leverages existing user testing videos, minimizing the learning curve.

Diving into the Code: A Real-World Example#

Let's say you have a user testing video of a user signing up for a newsletter. Here's how Replay would generate the corresponding React component:

Step 1: Upload the Video to Replay#

Simply upload the user testing video to the Replay platform. Our AI engine will automatically analyze the video and identify the UI elements and user interactions.

Step 2: Review and Refine the Generated Code#

Replay generates clean, well-structured React code. You can review the code and make any necessary adjustments.

Step 3: Integrate with Your Project#

Copy and paste the generated code into your React project and connect it to your backend.

Here's an example of the generated code:

typescript
// React component generated by Replay AI import React, { useState } from 'react'; const NewsletterSignup = () => { const [email, setEmail] = useState(''); const [subscribed, setSubscribed] = useState(false); const handleSubmit = async (e: React.FormEvent) => { e.preventDefault(); try { const response = await fetch('/api/subscribe', { method: 'POST', headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json', }, body: JSON.stringify({ email }), }); if (response.ok) { setSubscribed(true); } else { console.error('Subscription failed'); } } catch (error) { console.error('Error:', error); } }; return ( <div> <h2>Subscribe to Our Newsletter</h2> {subscribed ? ( <p>Thank you for subscribing!</p> ) : ( <form onSubmit={handleSubmit}> <label htmlFor="email">Email:</label> <input type="email" id="email" value={email} onChange={(e) => setEmail(e.target.value)} required /> <button type="submit">Subscribe</button> </form> )} </div> ); }; export default NewsletterSignup;

💡 Pro Tip: Replay can automatically generate unit tests based on the user interactions captured in the video, ensuring the reliability of your UI.

Benefits of Using Replay AI#

  • Faster Development: Generate functional UI code in minutes, not hours. 🚀
  • Improved Code Quality: Replay understands user intent, resulting in more robust and maintainable code. ✅
  • Reduced Debugging: Identify and fix UI issues early in the development process.
  • Enhanced User Experience: Build UIs that accurately reflect user behavior and preferences.
  • Streamlined User Testing: Turn user testing videos into actionable code.

Addressing Common Concerns#

Some developers might be hesitant to adopt AI-powered code generation tools. Here are some common concerns and how Replay addresses them:

  • "The generated code will be messy and unreadable." Replay generates clean, well-structured code that adheres to industry best practices.
  • "I'll still have to spend hours tweaking the code." Replay minimizes the need for manual intervention by accurately capturing user intent.
  • "The AI will make mistakes." Replay provides a review and refinement process, allowing you to correct any errors.

⚠️ Warning: While Replay significantly reduces development time, it's essential to review the generated code to ensure accuracy and adherence to your 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?#

While both aim to generate code, v0.dev relies on text prompts and design specifications. Replay uses video analysis to understand actual user behavior, resulting in more accurate and user-centered code. V0.dev is great for initial scaffolding; Replay excels at translating user interaction into functional code.

What video formats are supported?#

Replay supports most common video formats, including MP4, MOV, and AVI.

Can I customize the generated code?#

Yes, you can easily customize the generated code to meet your specific requirements. Replay provides a flexible and extensible platform.

Does Replay support different UI frameworks?#

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


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