TL;DR: Replay uses video analysis and AI to rapidly generate working UI prototypes from screen recordings, understanding user intent and behavior far beyond simple screenshot-to-code conversion.
The year is 2026. Design sprints are still a thing, but the handoff from design to development has been revolutionized. Forget static mockups and endless spec documents. The fastest way to turn a UI prototype into production-ready code? Video. And the tool making it happen is Replay.
The Problem: Static Designs Don't Tell the Whole Story#
We've all been there. A beautiful design lands in your inbox. It looks pixel-perfect. But as you start building, questions arise:
- •How does the user really navigate this flow?
- •What happens when they click that button?
- •Are there subtle animations or transitions missing from the spec?
Traditional design tools give you a snapshot, but they miss the crucial element: behavior. This gap leads to wasted time, miscommunication, and ultimately, a product that doesn't quite match the original vision.
The Solution: Behavior-Driven Reconstruction with Replay#
Replay takes a fundamentally different approach. Instead of relying on static images, Replay analyzes video recordings of user interactions. It leverages advanced AI, powered by Gemini, to understand user intent and reconstruct a fully functional UI. This "Behavior-Driven Reconstruction" means you get more than just a visual representation; you get a working prototype that accurately reflects the intended user experience.
How Replay Works: Video as the Source of Truth#
Replay treats the video recording as the single source of truth. It analyzes:
- •Mouse movements and clicks
- •Keyboard inputs
- •Page transitions and animations
- •Data inputs and form submissions
Based on this analysis, Replay generates clean, maintainable code that replicates the observed behavior.
Key Features of Replay#
Replay isn't just another screenshot-to-code tool. It offers a suite of powerful features designed to streamline the UI development process:
- •Multi-Page Generation: Replay can handle complex, multi-page flows, generating code for entire user journeys.
- •Supabase Integration: Seamlessly connect your generated UI to your Supabase backend for rapid prototyping and data integration.
- •Style Injection: Apply your existing CSS styles or generate new styles based on the video's visual appearance.
- •Product Flow Maps: Automatically generate visual diagrams of user flows based on the video analysis.
Replay vs. The Alternatives: A Clear Advantage#
Let's compare Replay to some other popular UI generation tools:
| Feature | Screenshot-to-Code Tools | Low-Code Platforms | Replay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video Input | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Behavior Analysis | ❌ | Partial | ✅ |
| Multi-Page Support | Limited | ✅ | ✅ |
| Code Quality | Often Messy | Vendor Lock-in | Clean & Maintainable |
| Learning Curve | Low | Medium | Low |
| Flexibility | Low | Medium | High |
As you can see, Replay uniquely combines ease of use with powerful behavior analysis and code generation capabilities.
Getting Started with Replay: A Step-by-Step Guide#
Here's how to quickly generate a UI prototype using Replay:
Step 1: Record Your UI Flow#
Use any screen recording tool (e.g., Loom, QuickTime) to record a video of your desired UI flow. Be sure to clearly demonstrate all interactions and transitions.
💡 Pro Tip: Speak clearly while recording to provide additional context that Replay can leverage.
Step 2: Upload Your Video to Replay#
Navigate to the Replay web application and upload your video file. Replay will automatically begin analyzing the video and reconstructing the UI.
Step 3: Review and Refine the Generated Code#
Once the analysis is complete, Replay will present you with the generated code. You can review and refine the code as needed, making adjustments to styles, layouts, and functionality.
Step 4: Integrate with Your Project#
Download the generated code and integrate it into your existing project. Replay supports a variety of frameworks and libraries, including React, Vue.js, and Angular.
Example: Generating a React Component with Replay#
Let's say you've recorded a video of a user interacting with a simple form. Replay can generate a React component like this:
typescript// Generated by Replay import React, { useState } from 'react'; const MyForm = () => { const [name, setName] = useState(''); const [email, setEmail] = useState(''); const handleSubmit = async (e: React.FormEvent) => { e.preventDefault(); // Simulate API call try { const response = await fetch('/api/submit', { method: 'POST', headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json', }, body: JSON.stringify({ name, email }), }); const data = await response.json(); console.log('Success:', data); alert('Form submitted successfully!'); } catch (error) { console.error('Error:', error); alert('Form submission failed.'); } }; return ( <form onSubmit={handleSubmit}> <div> <label htmlFor="name">Name:</label> <input type="text" id="name" value={name} onChange={(e) => setName(e.target.value)} /> </div> <div> <label htmlFor="email">Email:</label> <input type="email" id="email" value={email} onChange={(e) => setEmail(e.target.value)} /> </div> <button type="submit">Submit</button> </form> ); }; export default MyForm;
This code is not just a static representation of the form; it's a fully functional React component that you can immediately integrate into your application.
⚠️ Warning: While Replay strives for accuracy, always review the generated code to ensure it meets your specific requirements and security standards.
Benefits of Using Replay#
- •Faster Prototyping: Quickly generate working UI prototypes from video recordings.
- •Improved Communication: Bridge the gap between design and development with behavior-driven reconstruction.
- •Reduced Development Time: Automate the tedious task of manually coding UI elements.
- •Enhanced User Experience: Ensure that your UI accurately reflects the intended user experience.
- •Uncover Hidden Interactions: Replay captures nuances often missed in static designs, leading to a more polished final product.
Frequently Asked Questions#
Is Replay free to use?#
Replay offers a free tier with limited features and usage. Paid plans are available for more advanced features and higher usage limits.
How is Replay different from v0.dev?#
While v0.dev generates UI components based on text prompts, Replay analyzes video recordings to understand user behavior and generate more accurate and context-aware code. Replay focuses on reconstructing existing or intended workflows, not just creating individual components. Replay also supports multi-page flows, which is a key differentiator.
What frameworks and libraries does Replay support?#
Replay currently supports React, Vue.js, and Angular. Support for additional frameworks is planned for future releases.
How secure is Replay?#
Replay uses industry-standard security measures to protect your data. Video recordings are processed securely and are not stored indefinitely.
Can I customize the generated code?#
Yes, the generated code is fully customizable. You can modify the code to meet your specific requirements and integrate it into your existing project.
Ready to try behavior-driven code generation? Get started with Replay - transform any video into working code in seconds.