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January 17, 20266 min readReplay: Convert a

Replay: Convert a Figma Component Video to Shadcn/ui React Code

R
Replay Team
Developer Advocates

TL;DR: Replay lets you convert a video recording of a Figma component into fully functional Shadcn/ui React code, streamlining UI development by understanding user behavior and intent.

From Figma Component Video to Shadcn/ui React Code with Replay#

The gap between design and development is a constant source of friction. While tools that convert designs to code exist, they often fall short because they focus on static visuals, not the behavior that brings UI to life. What if you could capture the dynamic interaction of a Figma component and automatically generate working React code using Shadcn/ui? That's where Replay comes in.

Replay uses a revolutionary video-to-code engine powered by Gemini to reconstruct working UI from screen recordings. Unlike traditional screenshot-to-code tools, Replay analyzes video to understand user behavior and intent, resulting in more accurate and functional code generation. This "Behavior-Driven Reconstruction" approach treats video as the source of truth, enabling features like multi-page generation, Supabase integration, style injection, and product flow maps.

The Problem: Static Design Handoffs#

Traditional design handoffs often involve static mockups and lengthy specifications. This process is prone to misinterpretation and requires significant manual effort to translate into functional code. Screenshot-to-code tools offer some assistance, but they lack the ability to capture the dynamic behavior of a UI component. Imagine trying to recreate a complex animation or interactive form from a static image – it's a recipe for frustration.

The Solution: Behavior-Driven Code Generation with Replay#

Replay solves this problem by analyzing video recordings of Figma components in action. By understanding how users interact with the component, Replay can generate React code that accurately reflects the intended behavior. This approach significantly reduces the time and effort required to translate designs into functional code, especially when using component libraries like Shadcn/ui.

FeatureScreenshot-to-CodeReplay
InputScreenshotsVideo
Behavior AnalysisLimitedComprehensive
Component UnderstandingBasicAdvanced
Code AccuracyLowerHigher
IntegrationLimitedFlexible (Supabase, Style Injection)

Converting a Figma Component Video to Shadcn/ui React Code: A Step-by-Step Guide#

Let's walk through the process of converting a video recording of a Figma component into Shadcn/ui React code using Replay. We'll assume you have a Figma component with some interactive elements and a video recording of it in action.

Step 1: Record Your Figma Component in Action#

Use your favorite screen recording tool (e.g., QuickTime, OBS Studio) to capture a video of your Figma component in action. Make sure to demonstrate all the key interactions and states of the component. For example, if you have a button that changes color on hover, be sure to capture that in the video. The clearer the recording, the better the results.

📝 Note: Focus on capturing the behavior of the component. Show all possible states and interactions clearly.

Step 2: Upload Your Video to Replay#

Navigate to the Replay platform and upload your video recording. Replay will automatically analyze the video and identify the different components and interactions.

Step 3: Review and Refine the Generated Code#

Replay will generate React code using Shadcn/ui components. Review the code to ensure it accurately reflects the behavior of the Figma component. You can make adjustments to the code directly within the Replay editor.

💡 Pro Tip: Pay close attention to event handlers and state management. Replay uses its understanding of user behavior to generate appropriate code for these aspects.

Step 4: Integrate the Code into Your Project#

Once you're satisfied with the generated code, you can copy and paste it into your React project.

Here's an example of the type of code Replay can generate for a simple button component using Shadcn/ui:

typescript
// Example generated by Replay import { Button } from "@/components/ui/button" interface ButtonProps { onClick: () => void; children: React.ReactNode; } const MyButton: React.FC<ButtonProps> = ({ onClick, children }) => { return ( <Button onClick={onClick}> {children} </Button> ); }; export default MyButton;

This code snippet showcases a basic Shadcn/ui Button component with an

text
onClick
handler. Replay goes beyond this, by inferring the necessary props and state based on the video analysis. For example, if the video shows the button disabling after being clicked, Replay will generate code to handle the disabled state.

Step 5: Style Injection (Optional)#

Replay allows you to inject styles directly into the generated code. This is particularly useful for customizing the appearance of your Shadcn/ui components. You can either provide CSS snippets or use Replay's visual editor to adjust the styles.

Benefits of Using Replay with Shadcn/ui#

  • Faster Development: Automatically generate React code from Figma component videos.
  • Improved Accuracy: Capture the dynamic behavior of UI components.
  • Seamless Integration: Integrate with Shadcn/ui and other popular libraries.
  • Reduced Handoff Friction: Bridge the gap between design and development.
  • Behavior-Driven Development: Build UI based on real user interactions.

Real-World Use Case: Building a Complex Form#

Imagine you're building a complex form with multiple fields, validation rules, and conditional logic. Recording a video of yourself interacting with the form in Figma allows Replay to generate the necessary React code, including:

  • Input fields using Shadcn/ui's
    text
    Input
    component.
  • Validation logic based on user input patterns.
  • Conditional rendering of form elements based on user selections.
  • State management for form data.

This significantly reduces the amount of manual coding required, allowing you to focus on the more complex aspects of your application.

⚠️ Warning: While Replay significantly accelerates development, always review the generated code carefully and make necessary adjustments to ensure it meets your specific requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions#

Is Replay free to use?#

Replay offers a free tier with limited usage. Paid plans are available for increased usage and access to advanced features. Check the pricing page for the latest details.

How is Replay different from v0.dev?#

While v0.dev focuses on generating UI based on text prompts, Replay analyzes video recordings to understand user behavior and intent. This allows Replay to generate more accurate and functional code, especially for complex UI components with dynamic interactions. Replay's Behavior-Driven Reconstruction offers a fundamentally different approach to code generation.

Can Replay handle complex animations?#

Yes, Replay can analyze video recordings of complex animations and generate the necessary React code to recreate them. However, the accuracy of the generated code depends on the clarity of the video and the complexity of the animation.

What if Replay generates code that isn't exactly what I want?#

Replay provides an editor where you can modify the generated code. This allows you to fine-tune the code to meet your specific requirements. Consider the generated code a starting point that accelerates your development process.


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

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Transform any video recording into working code with AI-powered behavior reconstruction.

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