Replay vs screenshot-to-code for Vue.js with Pinia state management: 2026 review?

TL;DR: Replay, unlike screenshot-to-code tools, uses video analysis to generate functional Vue.js components with Pinia state management by understanding user behavior, leading to more accurate and maintainable code.

Screenshot-to-code tools are relics of 2023. In 2026, we need tools that understand behavior, not just static images. Let's dive into why Replay's video-to-code engine is the future, especially when building complex Vue.js applications with Pinia for state management.

The Problem with Screenshots: A 2026 Perspective#

Screenshot-to-code tools promised rapid UI prototyping, but they consistently fall short in real-world scenarios. Why? They only see the final state of the UI. They lack the context of user interactions, animations, data flow, and the underlying logic driving the application.

Imagine trying to reconstruct a Vue.js component with a complex Pinia store based solely on a screenshot. You'd miss:

• •How the component's state changes based on user input.
• •The asynchronous actions triggered by button clicks.
• •The validation logic applied to form fields.
• •The overall user flow and the component's role within it.

This leads to brittle, incomplete code that requires significant manual rework. Screenshot-to-code tools give you a starting point, but rarely a functional component.

Replay: Behavior-Driven Reconstruction#

Replay takes a fundamentally different approach. It analyzes video recordings of user interactions to understand the behavior driving the UI. This "Behavior-Driven Reconstruction" allows Replay to generate more accurate, functional, and maintainable code.

Replay leverages the power of Gemini to analyze video, identify UI elements, track user interactions (clicks, scrolls, form inputs), and infer the underlying logic. It then generates Vue.js components with correctly configured Pinia stores, actions, and mutations.

Here's how Replay addresses the limitations of screenshot-to-code:

Replay in Action: Building a Vue.js Component with Pinia#

Let's say you have a video recording of a user interacting with a product listing page in a Vue.js application. The page allows users to filter products, add them to a cart, and view cart details. The application uses Pinia for state management.

Here's how Replay can reconstruct the Vue.js component and its associated Pinia store:

Step 1: Upload the Video to Replay#

Upload the video recording to the Replay platform. Replay will automatically analyze the video and identify the relevant UI elements and user interactions.

Step 2: Review and Refine (Optional)#

Replay provides a visual interface to review the analysis and refine the generated code. You can adjust element boundaries, correct interaction mappings, and provide additional context.

Step 3: Generate the Vue.js Component and Pinia Store#

Replay generates the Vue.js component code, including:

• •The component's template with data bindings and event handlers.
• •The component's script with data properties, methods, and lifecycle hooks.
• •The Pinia store with state, actions, and mutations.

Here's an example of the generated Pinia store:

typescript
// Pinia store generated by Replay
import { defineStore } from 'pinia';

export const useProductStore = defineStore('product', {
  state: () => ({
    products: [],
    filters: {
      category: '',
      priceRange: { min: 0, max: 100 },
    },
    cart: [],
  }),
  actions: {
    async fetchProducts() {
      // Simulated API call based on video analysis
      const response = await fetch('/api/products');
      this.products = await response.json();
    },
    applyFilters(filters) {
      this.filters = filters;
    },
    addToCart(productId) {
      const product = this.products.find((p) => p.id === productId);
      if (product) {
        this.cart.push(product);
      }
    },
  },
  getters: {
    filteredProducts: (state) => {
      return state.products.filter((product) => {
        // Filtering logic inferred from video interactions
        const categoryMatch = state.filters.category === '' || product.category === state.filters.category;
        const priceMatch = product.price >= state.filters.priceRange.min && product.price <= state.filters.priceRange.max;
        return categoryMatch && priceMatch;
      });
    },
    cartTotal: (state) => {
      return state.cart.reduce((total, product) => total + product.price, 0);
    },
  },
});

💡 Pro Tip: Replay's code generation is highly customizable. You can configure the output format, code style, and integration with your existing codebase.

📝 Note: Replay also generates detailed product flow maps that visually represent the user journey within the application, making it easier to understand and maintain the code.

Step 4: Integrate and Customize#

Integrate the generated code into your Vue.js application. You may need to customize the code to fit your specific requirements. However, Replay provides a solid foundation, significantly reducing the development time and effort.

Beyond Basic Components: Replay's Advanced Features#

Replay offers several advanced features that further enhance its capabilities:

• •Multi-Page Generation: Replay can analyze video recordings that span multiple pages, allowing you to reconstruct entire user flows.
• •Supabase Integration: Replay can automatically generate Supabase database schemas and API endpoints based on the video analysis.
• •Style Injection: Replay can infer the CSS styles used in the application and inject them into the generated components.

Here's a comparison of Replay versus other code generation tools:

⚠️ Warning: While Replay significantly reduces development time, it's not a magic bullet. You'll still need to review and customize the generated code to ensure it meets your specific requirements.

Code Example: A simple component#

Here's an example of a very simple Vue component that Replay might generate based on a video:

vue
<template>
  <div>
    <h1>{{ title }}</h1>
    <button @click="increment">Increment</button>
    <p>Count: {{ count }}</p>
  </div>
</template>

<script setup>
import { ref } from 'vue';

const title = ref('My Counter');
const count = ref(0);

const increment = () => {
  count.value++;
};
</script>

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?#

v0.dev relies on text prompts to generate code, while Replay analyzes video recordings of user interactions. Replay understands behavior, not just descriptions. Replay also features robust Supabase integration and style injection, which v0.dev lacks. Replay focuses on reconstructing existing UI, while v0.dev generates new UI based on prompts.

What frameworks does Replay support?#

Currently, Replay offers the best support for Vue.js with Pinia, React, and Next.js. Support for other frameworks is planned for future releases.

What are the limitations of Replay?#

Replay's accuracy depends on the quality of the video recording and the complexity of the UI. Extremely complex animations or highly customized UI elements may require manual adjustments.

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