Replay vs Cursor: Which AI Video-to-Code Tool Integrates Best with Existing Codebases? (2026)

TL;DR: Replay's video-to-code engine, leveraging Gemini, excels in integrating with existing codebases by understanding user behavior from video, unlike Cursor which relies primarily on static screenshots and code completion.

The promise of AI-powered code generation is tantalizing: turn ideas into functional UIs with minimal effort. However, the reality often falls short, especially when trying to integrate generated code into complex, existing projects. Two tools are vying for attention in this space: Cursor, a popular AI code editor, and Replay, a video-to-code engine. This article dives into how effectively each tool integrates with your existing codebase, providing concrete examples and comparisons.

Understanding the Core Difference: Behavior vs. Static Analysis#

The fundamental difference between Replay and Cursor lies in their input and analysis methods. Cursor primarily operates on existing code and static screenshots, offering code completion and suggestions. Replay, on the other hand, analyzes video recordings of user interactions. This "Behavior-Driven Reconstruction" allows Replay to understand the intent behind the UI, not just its appearance.

This difference is crucial for seamless integration. A tool that understands user behavior can generate code that aligns with the existing application flow and data structures, minimizing the need for manual adjustments.

Replay: Behavior-Driven Integration#

Replay employs a multi-stage process to convert video into code that integrates smoothly with existing projects:

1. •Behavior Analysis: Replay uses Gemini to analyze the video, identifying UI elements, user actions (clicks, scrolls, form submissions), and data flow.
2. •Code Reconstruction: Based on the behavioral analysis, Replay generates clean, functional code, typically in React or Vue.js.
3. •Supabase Integration (Optional): If your project uses Supabase, Replay can automatically generate the necessary database schemas and API calls to support the reconstructed UI.
4. •Style Injection: Replay can inject styles directly into your existing CSS or styled-components, ensuring visual consistency.
5. •Product Flow Maps: Replay generates visual diagrams of the user flows it detects, helping you understand how the new components fit into the bigger picture.

Step 1: Video Recording and Analysis#

The process starts with recording a video of the desired UI interaction. This could be a demo of a new feature, a bug reproduction, or a user testing session. Once the video is uploaded to Replay, the AI engine analyzes it.

Step 2: Code Generation and Integration#

Replay generates React code, optimized for readability and maintainability. Suppose the video shows a user adding a new item to a shopping cart. Replay might generate code like this:

typescript
// Generated by Replay
import React, { useState } from 'react';
import { useSupabaseClient } from '@supabase/auth-helpers-react';

interface Item {
  id: number;
  name: string;
  price: number;
}

const AddToCart = () => {
  const [itemName, setItemName] = useState('');
  const [itemPrice, setItemPrice] = useState(0);
  const supabase = useSupabaseClient();

  const handleAddItem = async () => {
    try {
      const { data, error } = await supabase
        .from('items')
        .insert([{ name: itemName, price: itemPrice }]);

      if (error) {
        console.error('Error adding item:', error);
      } else {
        console.log('Item added successfully:', data);
        // Optionally, refresh the item list
      }
    } catch (error) {
      console.error('Unexpected error:', error);
    }
  };

  return (
    <div>
      <input
        type="text"
        placeholder="Item Name"
        value={itemName}
        onChange={(e) => setItemName(e.target.value)}
      />
      <input
        type="number"
        placeholder="Item Price"
        value={itemPrice}
        onChange={(e) => setItemPrice(Number(e.target.value))}
      />
      <button onClick={handleAddItem}>Add to Cart</button>
    </div>
  );
};

export default AddToCart;

💡 Pro Tip: Replay often adds comments to the generated code, explaining the logic and suggesting potential improvements.

Step 3: Style Injection#

Replay can analyze your existing CSS and suggest appropriate styles for the generated components. It can also inject styles directly into your CSS files or styled-components, ensuring visual consistency.

Cursor: Code Completion and Suggestions#

Cursor, on the other hand, excels at code completion and suggestions based on existing code and context. While it can generate code snippets from prompts, its integration with existing codebases relies heavily on manual adjustments. Cursor doesn't understand the behavior displayed in a video. It lacks the nuanced comprehension of user intent that Replay provides.

Example: Cursor's Approach#

Using a similar scenario (adding an item to a shopping cart), Cursor might generate code based on a text prompt or a screenshot of the UI. However, it wouldn't automatically infer the data structure or the API endpoint required to save the item to the database. The developer would need to manually define these elements.

javascript
// Example of code generated by Cursor (requires manual adjustments)
function addItemToCart(item) {
  // TODO: Implement logic to add item to cart
  console.log("Adding item:", item);
}

⚠️ Warning: Without understanding the underlying data model, Cursor's generated code can easily introduce inconsistencies and errors.

Comparison Table: Replay vs. Cursor#

Addressing Common Concerns#

• •Accuracy: Replay's accuracy depends on the quality of the video recording and the complexity of the UI. However, the generated code is always a starting point, and developers can easily refine it.
• •Learning Curve: Replay is designed to be easy to use, with a simple interface and clear instructions.
• •Cost: Replay offers different pricing plans to suit various needs.

When to Choose Replay vs. Cursor#

Choose Replay when:

• •You need to quickly generate code from existing UI interactions.
• •You want to seamlessly integrate the generated code with your existing codebase.
• •You're working with complex UIs and data flows.
• •You want to minimize manual adjustments and ensure consistency.
• •You want to understand user behavior and optimize the user experience.

Choose Cursor when:

• •You need assistance with code completion and suggestions.
• •You're working on small, isolated code snippets.
• •You're comfortable with manual adjustments and integration.

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.

How is Replay different from v0.dev?#

While both aim to generate code, v0.dev relies on text prompts and predefined templates. Replay, in contrast, analyzes video of real user interactions, providing a more accurate and behavior-driven code reconstruction. Replay understands the intent behind the UI, not just its appearance.

Does Replay support languages other than React?#

Currently, Replay primarily generates React code. Support for other languages like Vue.js and Angular is planned for future releases.

How secure is the video data I upload to Replay?#

Replay employs industry-standard security measures to protect user data. Videos are processed securely and are not shared with third parties.

📝 Note: Replay is constantly evolving, with new features and improvements being added regularly.

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