Replay: Generate Vue 3 UIs from Design Mockups

TL;DR: Replay leverages video analysis and Gemini to reconstruct fully functional Vue 3 UIs directly from design mockup videos, offering a faster and more accurate alternative to traditional screenshot-to-code and manual methods.

The promise of AI-powered UI generation has been tantalizingly close for years. Screenshot-to-code tools offered a glimpse, but consistently fell short. They treat the symptom (the image) instead of the disease (the user's intent). The result? Brittle, incomplete code that requires extensive manual rework. We're not just trying to replicate pixels; we're trying to understand behavior.

This is where behavior-driven reconstruction changes the game. By analyzing videos, Replay understands the flow of your design, the interactions you intend, and the context of each element. This leads to significantly more robust and maintainable Vue 3 UIs.

From Mockup Video to Working Vue 3 App: A Paradigm Shift#

Forget static screenshots. Embrace the power of motion. A short video demonstrating your desired UI flow becomes the source of truth. Replay analyzes this video, leveraging the power of Gemini, to generate clean, functional Vue 3 code.

Why Video?#

Video provides a richer dataset than static images. It captures:

• •User Flow: The sequence of interactions and transitions.
• •Element State Changes: How elements respond to user input (e.g., button clicks, form submissions).
• •Contextual Information: The relationship between different UI elements.

This information is crucial for generating a UI that not only looks right but also behaves correctly.

Replay in Action: Building a To-Do List App#

Let's walk through a practical example: generating a simple to-do list application in Vue 3 from a mockup video. Imagine a video showcasing the following:

1. •A text input field for adding new tasks.
2. •An "Add" button.
3. •A list displaying the current tasks.
4. •Checkboxes to mark tasks as complete.
5. •A button to clear completed tasks.

Step 1: Capture the Mockup Video#

Record a short video demonstrating the desired functionality. Ensure the video is clear and showcases all the key interactions. Tools like Loom or even your phone's screen recording feature will suffice.

Step 2: Upload to Replay#

Upload the video to the Replay platform. Replay will automatically process the video, identifying UI elements and their interactions.

Step 3: Review and Refine (If Necessary)#

Replay provides a visual representation of the identified elements and their relationships. You can review and refine these elements if necessary, ensuring accurate reconstruction.

Step 4: Generate the Vue 3 Code#

With a single click, Replay generates the complete Vue 3 codebase, including:

• •Vue components for each UI element (input field, button, list, etc.).
• •Vuex store for managing the application state (tasks, completed status).
• •Event handlers for handling user interactions (adding tasks, marking as complete, clearing completed tasks).

Here's a snippet of the generated Vue component for the to-do list:

vue
<template>
  <ul>
    <li v-for="task in tasks" :key="task.id">
      <input type="checkbox" :checked="task.completed" @change="toggleComplete(task.id)">
      <span>{{ task.text }}</span>
    </li>
  </ul>
</template>

<script>
import { mapState, mapMutations } from 'vuex';

export default {
  computed: {
    ...mapState(['tasks'])
  },
  methods: {
    ...mapMutations(['toggleComplete'])
  }
};
</script>

And here's a snippet from the generated Vuex store:

javascript
import Vue from 'vue'
import Vuex from 'vuex'

Vue.use(Vuex)

export default new Vuex.Store({
  state: {
    tasks: [
      { id: 1, text: 'Example Task', completed: false }
    ]
  },
  mutations: {
    toggleComplete (state, taskId) {
      const task = state.tasks.find(task => task.id === taskId);
      if (task) {
        task.completed = !task.completed;
      }
    }
  },
  actions: {
  },
  modules: {
  }
})

This is a simplified example, but it showcases the power of Replay. The generated code is not just a static representation of the UI; it's a fully functional Vue 3 application ready to be integrated into your project.

Beyond Basic Generation: Replay's Advanced Features#

Replay goes beyond basic code generation, offering features that streamline the entire UI development process:

• •Multi-Page Generation: Generate complete applications with multiple pages and complex navigation flows.
• •Supabase Integration: Seamlessly integrate with Supabase for backend data storage and authentication.
• •Style Injection: Inject custom CSS styles to match your design system.
• •Product Flow Maps: Visualize the user flow through your application.

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

Let's see how Replay stacks up against traditional methods and other AI-powered UI generation tools:

💡 Pro Tip: For complex UIs, start with a high-fidelity mockup video. The clearer the video, the more accurate the generated code will be.

⚠️ Warning: While Replay significantly reduces development time, it's not a replacement for skilled developers. Review and refine the generated code to ensure it meets your specific requirements.

The Benefits of Behavior-Driven Reconstruction#

• •Faster Development: Generate UIs in minutes instead of hours.
• •Improved Accuracy: Reconstruct UIs that accurately reflect user intent.
• •Reduced Manual Effort: Minimize the need for manual coding and debugging.
• •Increased Productivity: Focus on higher-level tasks such as application logic and user experience.
• •Better Code Quality: Generate clean, well-structured code that is easy to maintain.

📝 Note: Replay is constantly evolving. Expect to see even more advanced features and improved accuracy in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions#

Is Replay free to use?#

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

How is Replay different from v0.dev?#

v0.dev primarily relies on text prompts and component libraries to generate UI code. Replay, on the other hand, uses video analysis to understand user behavior and intent, resulting in more accurate and functional UI reconstruction. Replay excels in recreating existing designs from video, while v0.dev is better suited for generating new designs from scratch.

What kind of videos work best with Replay?#

Clear, well-lit videos with minimal distractions work best. Ensure the video clearly demonstrates all the key interactions and UI elements. High-fidelity mockups generally produce the best results.

What frameworks are supported by Replay?#

Currently, Replay primarily supports Vue 3. Support for React and other frameworks is planned for the future.

How secure is my video data?#

Replay employs industry-standard security measures to protect your data. All videos are stored securely and processed in a private environment. You can also delete your videos at any time.

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