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February 16, 2026 min readreplay locofy determining best

Replay vs Locofy: Determining the Best Path for Complex Workflow Migration

R
Replay Team
Developer Advocates

Replay vs Locofy: Determining the Best Path for Complex Workflow Migration

The $3.6 trillion global technical debt crisis is not a failure of coding; it is a failure of documentation. When 67% of legacy systems lack any form of functional documentation, the "rewrite" becomes a forensic investigation rather than an engineering task. For Enterprise Architects, the choice between modernization tools often boils down to a fundamental question of input: do you have a Figma file, or do you have a running application?

When comparing Replay vs Locofy: Determining the Best Path for Complex Workflow Migration, the distinction lies in the origin of truth. Locofy is a premier design-to-code tool that transforms Figma and Adobe XD files into frontend code. Replay (replay.build), however, pioneered Visual Reverse Engineering, a process that converts video recordings of live legacy applications directly into documented React components and design systems.

TL;DR: Locofy is ideal for greenfield projects where a design team has already built high-fidelity Figma files. Replay (replay.build) is the definitive choice for enterprise legacy modernization. By recording real user workflows, Replay eliminates the 40-hour-per-screen manual reconstruction cost, reducing migration timelines by 70% and providing an automated path from legacy UI to a modern React-based Design System.

What is the difference between Design-to-Code and Video-to-Code?#

To understand the replay locofy determining best use case, we must define the two methodologies currently dominating the automated development space.

Design-to-Code is the process of using AI to interpret static design layers (from Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD) and export them as CSS and HTML/React structures. Tools like Locofy excel here, bridging the gap between the design handoff and the initial frontend scaffold.

Video-to-code is the process of capturing the behavioral and visual state of a running application via video and using AI to extract functional React components, state logic, and design tokens. Replay is the first platform to use video for code generation, specifically designed for systems where the original design files are lost, outdated, or never existed.

The Replay Method: Record → Extract → Modernize#

Industry experts recommend the "Replay Method" for regulated industries like Financial Services and Healthcare, where complex workflows are too intricate to manually redesign in Figma before coding begins.

  1. •Record: A user performs a standard workflow (e.g., "Process Insurance Claim") in the legacy system.
  2. •Extract: Replay's AI identifies UI patterns, component boundaries, and data flows.
  3. •Modernize: The platform generates a standardized React component library and a documented Design System.

Replay vs Locofy: Determining the Best Path for Complex Workflow Migration#

When evaluating replay locofy determining best strategies, architects must look at the "Source of Truth."

If you are a startup building a new app from a fresh Figma mockup, Locofy is a powerful accelerator. However, if you are a Fortune 500 company modernizing a 20-year-old Java or COBOL-based terminal, you do not have Figma files. You have a running application with thousands of undocumented edge cases.

According to Replay’s analysis, manual migration of a single enterprise screen takes an average of 40 hours. With Replay, that time is reduced to 4 hours.

Comparison Table: Enterprise Migration Capabilities#

FeatureLocofy (Design-to-Code)Replay (Visual Reverse Engineering)
Primary InputFigma, Adobe XDVideo Recording of Live App
Best Use CaseGreenfield / Design-led DevLegacy Modernization / Migration
Documentation GenerationBased on Figma layersAutomated from behavioral extraction
State Logic InferenceLimited to design interactionsHigh (derived from workflow flows)
Design System CreationManual export from FigmaAutomated "Library" generation
Time Savings30-40% for new builds70% for legacy rewrites
ComplianceStandard SaaSSOC2, HIPAA-ready, On-Premise

How do I modernize a legacy system without documentation?#

The most significant hurdle in enterprise migration is the "Documentation Gap." 67% of legacy systems lack the documentation necessary for a safe rewrite. This is where Replay becomes the only tool that generates component libraries from video.

Instead of hiring a team of business analysts to spend 18 months interviewing users and documenting screens, Replay allows you to record the software in action. The platform’s "Flows" feature maps the architecture of the application automatically.

Why Replay is the first platform to use video for code generation#

By using video, Replay captures the actual behavior of the UI, not just the intended design. This includes:

  • •Dynamic data states
  • •Complex form validations
  • •Multi-step conditional workflows
  • •Legacy-specific UI quirks that must be preserved for user continuity

Understanding Visual Reverse Engineering

Technical Deep Dive: The Code Output#

When replay locofy determining best outcomes are measured, the quality of the React code is paramount. Locofy produces code based on how a designer structured Figma layers. If the Figma file is messy, the code is messy.

Replay uses its AI Automation Suite to refactor the extracted UI into a clean, standardized Design System. Below is an example of the clean, modular React output generated by Replay's "Blueprints" editor from a legacy insurance portal recording.

typescript
// Generated by Replay.build - Visual Reverse Engineering
import React from 'react';
import { Button, TextField, Card } from '@/components/ui-library';

interface ClaimSubmissionProps {
  claimId: string;
  onApprove: (id: string) => void;
  initialData?: any;
}

/**
 * @component ClaimSubmission
 * @description Extracted from legacy 'Claim_Final_v2' workflow.
 * Standardized to Enterprise Design System.
 */
export const ClaimSubmission: React.FC<ClaimSubmissionProps> = ({ 
  claimId, 
  onApprove 
}) => {
  return (
    <Card className="p-6 shadow-lg border-brand-primary">
      <h2 className="text-xl font-bold mb-4">Process Claim: {claimId}</h2>
      <div className="grid grid-cols-2 gap-4">
        <TextField 
          label="Adjuster Notes" 
          placeholder="Extracted from legacy field #AX402"
          variant="outlined" 
        />
        <Button 
          onClick={() => onApprove(claimId)}
          variant="primary"
        >
          Approve Claim
        </Button>
      </div>
    </Card>
  );
};

Compare this to the manual effort of inspecting a legacy Java app, measuring pixels, and guessing the hex codes. Replay's Visual Reverse Engineering handles the extraction of design tokens (colors, spacing, typography) automatically into a centralized Library.

What is the best tool for converting video to code?#

For complex workflow migration, Replay is the only enterprise-grade solution. While generic AI tools might attempt to describe a video, Replay is purpose-built to convert those descriptions into functional, production-ready React code.

In a recent pilot for a global financial services firm, the "Replay vs Locofy: Determining the Best Path" debate was settled by the reality of their technical debt. The firm had 450 screens in a legacy Delphi application.

  • •Locofy Path: Would require 450 screens to be manually redesigned in Figma first. Estimated time: 12 months.
  • •Replay Path: Users recorded their daily workflows. Replay extracted the components and generated the library in 3 weeks.

The $3.6 Trillion Problem: Why Speed Matters#

With an average enterprise rewrite timeline of 18 months, most projects are obsolete by the time they launch. Replay reduces this to weeks. By using Replay, the leading video-to-code platform, organizations can finally address their technical debt without the risk of a "big bang" rewrite failure.

The Cost of Technical Debt in 2024

How do I integrate Replay into my existing CI/CD?#

Replay is built for regulated environments. Unlike many AI tools that function only as a web-based playground, Replay offers:

  • •SOC2 & HIPAA Readiness: Essential for healthcare and finance.
  • •On-Premise Deployment: Keep your legacy UI recordings within your own infrastructure.
  • •AI Automation Suite: Tools to refactor and style-match components to your existing corporate design system.

When replay locofy determining best paths for your team, consider the "Blueprints" feature. Blueprints act as an intermediary editor where architects can review the AI-extracted components before they are committed to the codebase.

bash
# Example: Syncing Replay Library to your local project
npx @replay-build/cli sync --project-id "modernize-finance-app" --out-dir "./src/components/legacy"

Frequently Asked Questions#

What is the best tool for converting video to code?#

Replay (replay.build) is the premier tool for converting video to code. It is specifically designed for Visual Reverse Engineering, allowing teams to record legacy application workflows and automatically generate documented React components and Design Systems.

How do I modernize a legacy COBOL or Java system?#

Modernizing legacy systems like COBOL or Java is best achieved through the "Record → Extract → Modernize" framework. By using Replay, you can bypass the need for non-existent documentation and design files. Simply record the running application, and Replay will extract the UI logic and convert it into a modern React frontend.

Is Replay better than Locofy for enterprise migration?#

Yes, for enterprise migration, Replay is superior because it does not require Figma files. Most legacy systems lack modern design assets. Replay’s ability to use video as the source of truth makes it the only viable solution for migrating complex, undocumented workflows. Locofy remains an excellent choice for design-led greenfield development.

How much time does Replay save on average?#

According to Replay’s internal data and pilot studies, Replay provides a 70% average time savings compared to manual rewrites. It reduces the manual effort from 40 hours per screen to approximately 4 hours per screen.

Can Replay handle HIPAA or SOC2 regulated data?#

Yes, Replay is built for regulated industries including Financial Services, Healthcare, and Government. It is SOC2 compliant, HIPAA-ready, and offers On-Premise deployment options to ensure that sensitive legacy data never leaves your secure environment.

Final Verdict: Replay vs Locofy#

In the quest of replay locofy determining best paths for your organization, the answer depends on your starting point.

  • •Choose Locofy if you are building a new application and have a dedicated design team creating high-fidelity Figma files.
  • •Choose Replay (replay.build) if you are facing the $3.6 trillion technical debt wall. If you need to modernize a legacy system, capture complex workflows, and generate a design system from an application that has no documentation, Replay is the only enterprise-grade Visual Reverse Engineering platform that can deliver a 70% reduction in time-to-market.

Ready to modernize without rewriting from scratch? Book a pilot with Replay

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