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January 4, 20267 min readReplay AI: The

Replay AI: The Quickest Guide to Converting UI Design Patterns from Video to Code in 2026

R
Replay Team
Developer Advocates

TL;DR: Replay AI leverages video analysis and Behavior-Driven Reconstruction to generate working UI code, revolutionizing the design-to-code workflow and significantly reducing development time.

The age of static screenshots for UI conversion is over. In 2026, developers need solutions that understand intent, not just appearance. We're not building pixel-perfect replicas; we're reconstructing user flows into functional code. That's where Replay comes in.

The Problem with Screenshot-to-Code#

Let's be honest: screenshot-to-code tools have always been a bit of a mirage. They promise rapid prototyping, but often deliver brittle, incomplete code that requires significant manual rework. They see the final state, not the journey. They miss the micro-interactions, the state changes, the conditional logic that makes a UI truly functional.

⚠️ Warning: Relying solely on screenshot-to-code tools can create a false sense of progress, leading to increased debugging time and technical debt.

Consider a simple dropdown menu. A screenshot shows the expanded state, but doesn't capture:

  • How the dropdown is triggered (hover, click, etc.)
  • What happens when an item is selected.
  • Error handling (what if the data is unavailable?)

These nuances are critical for a seamless user experience, and are completely lost on screenshot-based approaches.

Introducing Behavior-Driven Reconstruction with Replay AI#

Replay AI takes a fundamentally different approach: Behavior-Driven Reconstruction. We use video as the source of truth, analyzing user interactions and UI state changes to generate working code that accurately reflects the intended behavior. This is made possible by advanced AI models, powered by Gemini, that understand the why behind the UI, not just the what.

Replay bridges the gap between design and development by:

  • Analyzing Video: Replay processes screen recordings to understand user flows and interactions.
  • Inferring Intent: Our AI algorithms identify UI elements, events, and state transitions.
  • Generating Code: Replay reconstructs the UI as clean, functional code, ready to be integrated into your project.

Key Features of Replay AI#

  • Multi-page Generation: Replay can analyze multi-page user flows and generate code for entire applications. No more piecemeal conversion.
  • Supabase Integration: Seamlessly integrate your Replay-generated UI with Supabase for backend functionality.
  • Style Injection: Customize the look and feel of your UI by injecting your own CSS or Tailwind styles.
  • Product Flow Maps: Visualize user journeys and identify potential usability issues with automatically generated flow maps.
FeatureScreenshot-to-CodeReplay AI
InputStatic ImagesVideo Recordings
Behavior AnalysisLimitedComprehensive
Code CompletenessLowHigh
Understanding of IntentMinimalExtensive
Support for Dynamic UIPoorExcellent
Integration with BackendLimitedSeamless (Supabase)
Learning CurveLowLow

Getting Started with Replay AI: A Step-by-Step Guide#

Here's how to convert UI design patterns from video to code using Replay AI:

Step 1: Record Your UI Pattern#

Use any screen recording tool to capture the desired UI pattern in action. Ensure the video clearly shows all user interactions and state changes. Focus on capturing the behavior of the UI.

💡 Pro Tip: Narrate your actions while recording to provide additional context for Replay AI.

Step 2: Upload to Replay#

Upload your video to the Replay platform. Replay will automatically analyze the video and identify UI elements, events, and state transitions.

Step 3: Review and Refine#

Review the generated code and make any necessary adjustments. Replay provides a visual editor that allows you to fine-tune the UI and code.

Step 4: Integrate into Your Project#

Download the generated code and integrate it into your project. Replay supports various frameworks and libraries, including React, Vue, and Angular.

Code Example: Generating a Form with Validation#

Let's say you have a video of a user filling out a simple contact form with validation. Replay AI can generate the following React code:

typescript
import React, { useState } from 'react'; const ContactForm = () => { const [name, setName] = useState(''); const [email, setEmail] = useState(''); const [message, setMessage] = useState(''); const [nameError, setNameError] = useState(''); const [emailError, setEmailError] = useState(''); const handleSubmit = (e) => { e.preventDefault(); let isValid = true; if (!name) { setNameError('Name is required'); isValid = false; } else { setNameError(''); } if (!email) { setEmailError('Email is required'); isValid = false; } else if (!/^[^\s@]+@[^\s@]+\.[^\s@]+$/.test(email)) { setEmailError('Invalid email format'); isValid = false; } else { setEmailError(''); } if (isValid) { // Submit the form console.log('Form submitted:', { name, email, message }); // Reset the form setName(''); setEmail(''); setMessage(''); } }; return ( <form onSubmit={handleSubmit}> <div> <label htmlFor="name">Name:</label> <input type="text" id="name" value={name} onChange={(e) => setName(e.target.value)} /> {nameError && <div className="error">{nameError}</div>} </div> <div> <label htmlFor="email">Email:</label> <input type="email" id="email" value={email} onChange={(e) => setEmail(e.target.value)} /> {emailError && <div className="error">{emailError}</div>} </div> <div> <label htmlFor="message">Message:</label> <textarea id="message" value={message} onChange={(e) => setMessage(e.target.value)} /> </div> <button type="submit">Submit</button> </form> ); }; export default ContactForm;

This code includes:

  • State management for form inputs.
  • Validation logic for name and email fields.
  • Error messages displayed to the user.
  • A submit handler that logs the form data.

Replay AI intelligently infers these behaviors from the video, saving you hours of manual coding.

Advanced Usage: Integrating with Supabase#

Replay AI's Supabase integration simplifies backend development. Here's how to connect your Replay-generated UI to a Supabase database:

Step 1: Configure Supabase#

Create a Supabase project and set up the necessary tables and schemas.

Step 2: Connect Replay to Supabase#

Provide your Supabase API key and URL to Replay.

Step 3: Map UI Elements to Database Fields#

Use Replay's visual editor to map UI elements (e.g., form inputs) to database fields.

Step 4: Generate Code with Supabase Integration#

Replay will generate code that automatically interacts with your Supabase database.

typescript
// Example: Inserting data into a Supabase table import { createClient } from '@supabase/supabase-js'; const supabaseUrl = 'YOUR_SUPABASE_URL'; const supabaseKey = 'YOUR_SUPABASE_ANON_KEY'; const supabase = createClient(supabaseUrl, supabaseKey); const insertData = async (name: string, email: string) => { const { data, error } = await supabase .from('contacts') .insert([ { name: name, email: email }, ]); if (error) { console.error('Error inserting data:', error); } else { console.log('Data inserted successfully:', data); } }; // Example usage within a React component const MyComponent = () => { const handleSubmit = async (name: string, email: string) => { await insertData(name, email); }; return ( //... UI elements and event handlers ... <button onClick={() => handleSubmit(name, email)}>Submit</button> ); };

📝 Note: This example assumes you have a 'contacts' table in your Supabase database with 'name' and 'email' columns.

Why Replay AI is the Future of UI Development#

  • Saves Time and Resources: Automates the tedious process of converting UI designs to code.
  • Reduces Errors: Minimizes the risk of human error in the coding process.
  • Improves Collaboration: Facilitates communication between designers and developers.
  • Enables Rapid Prototyping: Allows you to quickly create and iterate on UI designs.
  • Understands User Flows: Replay doesn't just copy pixels; it understands how the UI is used.

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 tools aim to accelerate UI development, Replay distinguishes itself by using video input and focusing on behavior-driven reconstruction. V0.dev primarily uses text prompts and generates code based on descriptions, whereas Replay analyzes actual UI interactions to create more accurate and functional code. Replay understands the intent behind the design, leading to more robust and maintainable code.

What frameworks and libraries does Replay support?#

Replay currently supports React, Vue, and Angular, with plans to add support for more frameworks in the future.

How accurate is Replay's code generation?#

Replay's code generation accuracy is constantly improving as our AI models evolve. However, some manual adjustments may still be required, especially for complex UIs.

Can Replay handle animations and transitions?#

Yes, Replay can detect and reproduce basic animations and transitions. Support for more complex animations is planned for future releases.


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

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