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January 8, 20267 min readReplay: Generate UI

Replay: Generate UI for Project Management Software from Process Videos

R
Replay Team
Developer Advocates

TL;DR: Replay allows you to generate working UI code for project management software directly from screen recordings of user workflows, dramatically accelerating development.

The dream of automatically generating code from visual input has long been a holy grail for developers. While screenshot-to-code tools have emerged, they often fall short because they only capture the "what" – the static visual representation. They lack the understanding of why a user interacted with the UI in a certain way. This is where Replay changes the game.

Replay uses "Behavior-Driven Reconstruction" – treating video as the source of truth. It leverages advanced AI, powered by Gemini, to analyze video recordings of user flows and generate working UI code that accurately reflects the intended functionality. Imagine capturing a video of yourself using a project management tool, and then having Replay reconstruct that UI, complete with interactive elements and underlying logic.

Why Video-to-Code Matters for Project Management UI#

Project management software is notoriously complex. Building these applications requires significant time and resources, often involving intricate workflows and numerous UI components. Replay streamlines this process by:

  • Rapid Prototyping: Quickly generate functional prototypes from existing project management software examples.
  • Reverse Engineering: Deconstruct existing systems to understand their functionality and extract reusable components.
  • User-Centric Design: Capture real user interactions and translate them into optimized UI code.
  • Training Material Conversion: Transform training videos into interactive, working examples for new team members.

Replay vs. Traditional UI Generation Tools#

Here's how Replay stacks up against other methods:

FeatureScreenshot-to-CodeManual CodingReplay
Input SourceScreenshotsManual InputVideo
Behavior AnalysisRequires Human Interpretation
Code AccuracyLowHigh (But time-consuming)High
Development SpeedMediumLowHigh
Understanding User IntentRequires explicit specification
Multi-Page SupportLimitedRequires extensive coding
Learning CurveLowHighLow
Maintenance OverheadHigh (due to inaccuracies)MediumLow (due to accuracy and maintainability)

Replay's ability to analyze video, understand user behavior, and generate working code sets it apart from traditional methods.

Building a Project Management UI with Replay: A Step-by-Step Guide#

Let's walk through how you can use Replay to generate UI for a project management application from a video recording.

Step 1: Capture the Process Video#

Record a video demonstrating the desired workflow in your project management software. This could be anything from creating a new project to assigning tasks or updating progress. Ensure the video is clear and shows all relevant UI elements and interactions.

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

Step 2: Upload to Replay#

Navigate to Replay and upload your video. Replay will begin analyzing the video and reconstructing the UI.

Step 3: Configure Reconstruction Settings#

Replay offers several configuration options to fine-tune the code generation process:

  • Target Framework: Select your desired framework (e.g., React, Vue, Angular).
  • Styling Preferences: Choose your preferred styling approach (e.g., CSS Modules, Styled Components, Tailwind CSS).
  • Data Integration: Configure integration with data sources like Supabase.

Step 4: Review and Refine the Generated Code#

Once the reconstruction is complete, Replay presents you with the generated code. Review the code and make any necessary adjustments.

📝 Note: Replay's AI is constantly improving, but manual refinement may still be required for complex workflows.

Step 5: Integrate with Your Project#

Copy the generated code into your project and integrate it with your existing codebase.

Example: Generating a Task List Component#

Let's say your video shows you creating a task list within a project management tool. Replay might generate code similar to this:

typescript
// React component for a task list import React, { useState, useEffect } from 'react'; interface Task { id: number; title: string; completed: boolean; } const TaskList = () => { const [tasks, setTasks] = useState<Task[]>([]); useEffect(() => { // Simulate fetching tasks from an API const fetchTasks = async () => { const response = await fetch('/api/tasks'); // Replace with your actual API endpoint const data = await response.json(); setTasks(data); }; fetchTasks(); }, []); const toggleComplete = (id: number) => { setTasks( tasks.map((task) => task.id === id ? { ...task, completed: !task.completed } : task ) ); }; return ( <div> <h2>Tasks</h2> <ul> {tasks.map((task) => ( <li key={task.id}> <input type="checkbox" checked={task.completed} onChange={() => toggleComplete(task.id)} /> <span>{task.title}</span> </li> ))} </ul> </div> ); }; export default TaskList;

This code provides a functional task list component with the ability to toggle task completion. The API endpoint (

text
/api/tasks
) would need to be implemented to fetch and persist task data.

Style Injection Example#

Replay also understands styling and can inject CSS or Tailwind classes into your components:

typescript
// Example with Tailwind CSS classes injected const StyledTaskList = () => { return ( <div className="bg-white shadow-md rounded-md p-4"> <h2 className="text-lg font-semibold mb-2">Tasks</h2> <ul className="list-none p-0"> {/* ... task list items with Tailwind classes ... */} </ul> </div> ); };

This example demonstrates how Replay can automatically apply styling based on the visual cues in the video, saving you time and effort.

Leveraging Supabase Integration#

Replay's Supabase integration simplifies data management. By connecting to your Supabase project, Replay can automatically generate code to fetch, update, and persist data.

typescript
// Example using Supabase to fetch tasks import { createClient } from '@supabase/supabase-js'; const supabaseUrl = 'YOUR_SUPABASE_URL'; const supabaseKey = 'YOUR_SUPABASE_ANON_KEY'; const supabase = createClient(supabaseUrl, supabaseKey); const TaskListWithSupabase = () => { const [tasks, setTasks] = useState<Task[]>([]); useEffect(() => { const fetchTasks = async () => { const { data, error } = await supabase .from('tasks') .select('*'); if (error) { console.error('Error fetching tasks:', error); return; } setTasks(data); }; fetchTasks(); }, []); // ... rest of the component using tasks from Supabase ... };

⚠️ Warning: Replace

text
YOUR_SUPABASE_URL
and
text
YOUR_SUPABASE_ANON_KEY
with your actual Supabase credentials. Avoid committing these credentials directly to your repository. Use environment variables instead.

Product Flow Maps#

Replay can also generate product flow maps based on the video analysis. These maps visually represent the user's journey through the application, highlighting key interactions and navigation paths. This can be invaluable for understanding user behavior and identifying areas for improvement.

Benefits of Using Replay#

  • Accelerated Development: Generate working UI code in seconds, significantly reducing development time.
  • Improved Accuracy: Capture the nuances of user behavior and translate them into accurate UI code.
  • Enhanced Collaboration: Facilitate communication between designers, developers, and stakeholders by providing a common visual language.
  • Reduced Costs: Minimize manual coding efforts and reduce the risk of errors.
  • User-Centric Design: Ensure that your UI is aligned with user needs and expectations.

Frequently Asked Questions#

Is Replay free to use?#

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

How is Replay different from v0.dev?#

While both tools aim to generate code, Replay uses video as its primary input, allowing it to understand user behavior and generate more accurate and context-aware code. v0.dev primarily relies on text prompts and predefined templates. Replay focuses on "Behavior-Driven Reconstruction," making it ideal for capturing complex workflows and user interactions.

What frameworks are supported by Replay?#

Replay currently supports React, Vue, and Angular. Support for additional frameworks is planned for future releases.

What type of videos work best with Replay?#

Clear, well-lit videos with minimal background noise and distractions work best. Narrating your actions while recording can also improve the accuracy of the code generation process.

How secure is my video data when using Replay?#

Replay employs industry-standard security measures to protect your video data. All videos are encrypted in transit and at rest. You can also choose to delete your videos after the code generation process is complete.


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

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