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January 17, 20267 min readReplay: From Wireframe

Replay: From Wireframe Video to Functional Vue.js Component

R
Replay Team
Developer Advocates

TL;DR: Replay uses video analysis to generate functional Vue.js components from wireframe recordings, understanding user behavior and intent beyond simple screenshot-to-code conversion.

Bridging the Gap: Video Wireframes to Functional Vue.js with Replay#

The traditional design-to-code workflow is often a bottleneck. Static mockups and wireframes, while useful for initial planning, lack the dynamic context of real user interaction. Manually translating these into functional components is time-consuming and prone to error. What if you could capture the behavior of a UI in action and automatically generate working code?

Enter Replay, a revolutionary video-to-code engine that leverages the power of Gemini to reconstruct working UI from screen recordings. Unlike traditional screenshot-to-code tools, Replay focuses on Behavior-Driven Reconstruction, treating video as the source of truth. This allows Replay to understand what users are trying to do, not just what they see, resulting in more accurate and functional code generation.

Why Video? Behavior-Driven Development in Action#

Video wireframes offer a richer representation of user interaction than static images. They capture:

  • Navigation Flows: How users move between pages and components.
  • State Changes: How UI elements respond to user actions.
  • Micro-interactions: Subtle animations and feedback mechanisms.

Replay analyzes these behavioral elements to generate code that accurately reflects the intended user experience. This approach, which we call Behavior-Driven Reconstruction, results in components that are not only visually similar to the wireframe but also functionally complete.

Building a Vue.js Component from a Wireframe Video: A Step-by-Step Guide#

Let's walk through a practical example of using Replay to generate a Vue.js component from a wireframe video. Imagine you have a video recording of a simple to-do list application being used. The video shows a user adding tasks, marking them as complete, and deleting them.

Step 1: Recording Your Wireframe Video#

Ensure your video clearly demonstrates the intended functionality and user flow. Focus on capturing the key interactions and state changes within your wireframe. A clear, well-paced video is crucial for Replay to accurately interpret the desired behavior.

💡 Pro Tip: Narrate your actions while recording the video. This provides Replay with additional context and improves the accuracy of the generated code.

Step 2: Uploading to Replay#

Navigate to the Replay platform (https://replay.build) and upload your wireframe video. Replay supports various video formats and resolutions.

Step 3: Configuring Generation Settings#

Specify the desired output framework (Vue.js in this case) and configure any additional settings, such as:

  • Component Name: A descriptive name for your generated Vue.js component.
  • Style Injection: Choose whether to include inline styles or generate a separate CSS file.
  • Supabase Integration: Optionally connect to your Supabase project to automatically generate data bindings.

Step 4: Generating the Code#

Click the "Generate Code" button and let Replay work its magic. Using Gemini, Replay analyzes the video, identifies the UI elements, and reconstructs the component's structure and behavior.

Step 5: Inspecting and Refining the Generated Code#

Once the code generation is complete, you can inspect the generated Vue.js component directly within the Replay platform. You can then download the code and integrate it into your project.

Here's an example of the kind of Vue.js code that Replay might generate from a simple to-do list wireframe video:

vue
<template> <div class="todo-list"> <h1>My To-Do List</h1> <input type="text" v-model="newTask" @keyup.enter="addTask" placeholder="Add a new task"> <ul> <li v-for="(task, index) in tasks" :key="index" :class="{ completed: task.completed }"> <input type="checkbox" v-model="task.completed"> <span>{{ task.text }}</span> <button @click="deleteTask(index)">Delete</button> </li> </ul> </div> </template> <script> export default { data() { return { newTask: '', tasks: [ { text: 'Learn Vue.js', completed: true }, { text: 'Build a to-do list', completed: false } ] }; }, methods: { addTask() { if (this.newTask.trim() !== '') { this.tasks.push({ text: this.newTask, completed: false }); this.newTask = ''; } }, deleteTask(index) { this.tasks.splice(index, 1); } } }; </script> <style scoped> .todo-list { font-family: sans-serif; padding: 20px; } .completed { text-decoration: line-through; color: gray; } </style>

📝 Note: The generated code may require some manual adjustments to perfectly match your desired styling and functionality. Replay provides a solid foundation, but human oversight is still essential for optimal results.

Replay: More Than Just Screenshot-to-Code#

Replay goes beyond simple screenshot-to-code conversion by analyzing the behavior demonstrated in the video. This enables Replay to generate code that:

  • Handles User Interactions: Correctly implements event listeners and state updates.
  • Preserves Application Logic: Recreates the intended functionality of the UI.
  • Adapts to Dynamic Content: Integrates with data sources and APIs.

Here's a comparison with other code generation tools:

FeatureScreenshot-to-Code ToolsLow-Code PlatformsReplay
InputScreenshotsDrag-and-Drop UIVideo
Behavior AnalysisPartial
Code QualityBasicOften LimitedHigh
Framework SupportLimitedVariesGrowing (Focus on React, Vue, Angular)
Learning CurveLowMediumLow

Key Features of Replay#

  • Multi-page Generation: Reconstruct entire application flows from a single video.
  • Supabase Integration: Seamlessly connect to your Supabase project for data persistence.
  • Style Injection: Choose between inline styles or separate CSS files.
  • Product Flow Maps: Visualize the user flow captured in the video.

Advanced Usage: Fine-Tuning the Generated Code#

While Replay strives for accuracy, you may need to fine-tune the generated code to meet your specific requirements. Replay provides several mechanisms for customization:

  • Code Editor: Modify the generated code directly within the Replay platform.
  • Component Libraries: Integrate with existing component libraries to leverage pre-built UI elements.
  • Custom Event Handlers: Define custom event handlers to implement complex interactions.

For example, you might want to add a custom animation to the to-do list item when it's marked as complete. You could modify the generated Vue.js component to include a transition effect:

vue
<template> <div class="todo-list"> <h1>My To-Do List</h1> <input type="text" v-model="newTask" @keyup.enter="addTask" placeholder="Add a new task"> <ul> <transition-group name="fade"> <li v-for="(task, index) in tasks" :key="index" :class="{ completed: task.completed }"> <input type="checkbox" v-model="task.completed"> <span>{{ task.text }}</span> <button @click="deleteTask(index)">Delete</button> </li> </transition-group> </ul> </div> </template> <script> export default { data() { return { newTask: '', tasks: [ { text: 'Learn Vue.js', completed: true }, { text: 'Build a to-do list', completed: false } ] }; }, methods: { addTask() { if (this.newTask.trim() !== '') { this.tasks.push({ text: this.newTask, completed: false }); this.newTask = ''; } }, deleteTask(index) { this.tasks.splice(index, 1); } } }; </script> <style scoped> .todo-list { font-family: sans-serif; padding: 20px; } .completed { text-decoration: line-through; color: gray; } .fade-enter-active, .fade-leave-active { transition: opacity .5s; } .fade-enter, .fade-leave-to /* .fade-leave-active below version 2.1.8 */ { opacity: 0; } </style>

⚠️ Warning: While Replay can generate complex UI components, it's essential to have a solid understanding of the target framework (Vue.js in this case) to effectively customize and maintain the generated code.

Frequently Asked Questions#

Is Replay free to use?#

Replay offers a free tier with limited usage. Paid plans are available for more extensive features and higher usage limits. Check the pricing page ([https://replay.build/pricing](https://replay.build/pricing - Placeholder)) for details.

How is Replay different from v0.dev?#

While both Replay and v0.dev aim to accelerate UI development, Replay uniquely leverages video analysis to understand user behavior and generate more functional code. V0.dev primarily uses text prompts, which can be less precise than video input. Replay's behavior-driven reconstruction approach results in code that more accurately reflects the intended user experience.

What frameworks does Replay support?#

Currently, Replay primarily focuses on React, Vue.js, and Angular. Support for additional frameworks 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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