Solve Prototyping Limitations: Replay AI Creates UI Prototypes as Reusable Code.

TL;DR: Replay uses video analysis powered by Gemini to generate reusable UI code, overcoming limitations of traditional prototyping tools that rely on static images and mock data.

Solve Prototyping Limitations: Replay AI Creates UI Prototypes as Reusable Code#

Prototyping is essential, but current methods often fall short. Static mockups and screenshot-based tools give a visual representation, but lack the behavioral fidelity needed for true user experience validation. Imagine spending days crafting a beautiful prototype, only to discover users misunderstand a core interaction. The problem? You built a picture, not a functioning experience.

Replay changes that. By leveraging video analysis and Gemini's AI capabilities, Replay reconstructs working UI from screen recordings, delivering reusable code that accurately reflects user intent. We call this "Behavior-Driven Reconstruction."

The Problem with Traditional Prototyping#

Traditional prototyping workflows are riddled with inefficiencies:

• •Static Mockups: Tools like Figma and Sketch excel at visual design but require manual effort to simulate interactions. This leads to prototypes that look right but don't feel right.
• •Screenshot-to-Code Limitations: These tools convert images into code, but they lack the context to understand user behavior. The generated code is often brittle and requires extensive manual rework.
• •Time-Consuming Development: Building interactive prototypes from scratch is a significant time investment, diverting resources from core product development.
• •Lack of Real-World Data: Prototypes often rely on mock data, which doesn't accurately reflect real-world user behavior. This can lead to flawed design decisions.

Replay: Behavior-Driven Reconstruction#

Replay tackles these challenges head-on by analyzing video of user interactions. Instead of just seeing what the user clicks, Replay understands why they click it. This allows Replay to generate more accurate, robust, and reusable code.

Replay's core features include:

• •Multi-page Generation: Reconstruct entire user flows across multiple pages.
• •Supabase Integration: Seamlessly connect your prototype to a real database.
• •Style Injection: Customize the look and feel of your prototype with CSS.
• •Product Flow Maps: Visualize user journeys and identify areas for improvement.

How Replay Works: A Step-by-Step Guide#

Let's walk through the process of using Replay to generate a working UI from a screen recording.

Step 1: Record Your User Flow#

Use any screen recording tool to capture a user interacting with an existing application or website. Focus on capturing a specific user flow, such as creating an account, submitting a form, or navigating a product catalog.

💡 Pro Tip: Narrate your actions while recording to provide additional context for Replay's AI engine.

Step 2: Upload to Replay#

Upload the video to Replay. The platform will automatically analyze the video and identify UI elements, user interactions, and data inputs.

Step 3: Review and Refine#

Replay generates a code preview. Review the generated code and make any necessary adjustments. You can edit the code directly within the Replay interface or download it to your local machine for further customization.

Step 4: Integrate with Your Project#

Copy the generated code into your existing project. Replay supports popular frameworks like React, Vue, and Angular.

Example: Generating a Login Form#

Let's say you have a video of a user logging into a website. Replay can generate the following React component:

typescript
// Generated by Replay
import React, { useState } from 'react';

const LoginForm = () => {
  const [email, setEmail] = useState('');
  const [password, setPassword] = useState('');

  const handleSubmit = async (e: React.FormEvent) => {
    e.preventDefault();
    // Replace with your actual authentication logic
    const response = await fetch('/api/login', {
      method: 'POST',
      headers: {
        'Content-Type': 'application/json',
      },
      body: JSON.stringify({ email, password }),
    });

    if (response.ok) {
      console.log('Login successful!');
    } else {
      console.error('Login failed.');
    }
  };

  return (
    <form onSubmit={handleSubmit}>
      <div>
        <label htmlFor="email">Email:</label>
        <input
          type="email"
          id="email"
          value={email}
          onChange={(e) => setEmail(e.target.value)}
        />
      </div>
      <div>
        <label htmlFor="password">Password:</label>
        <input
          type="password"
          id="password"
          value={password}
          onChange={(e) => setPassword(e.target.value)}
        />
      </div>
      <button type="submit">Login</button>
    </form>
  );
};

export default LoginForm;

This code provides a functional login form with state management and a placeholder for your actual authentication logic. Replay analyzes the video to understand the form fields, their labels, and the submit action.

⚠️ Warning: Remember to replace the placeholder authentication logic with your actual implementation. Replay generates the UI structure and basic event handling, but it's your responsibility to secure and validate user data.

Supabase Integration: From Prototype to Production#

Replay's Supabase integration allows you to connect your prototype to a real database with minimal effort. This enables you to:

• •Populate your prototype with real data: Use your existing Supabase database to populate your prototype with realistic data.
• •Test data persistence: Verify that your prototype correctly saves and retrieves data from your Supabase database.
• •Accelerate development: Jumpstart your development process by starting with a functional prototype connected to your backend.

Style Injection: Customizing the Look and Feel#

Replay allows you to inject custom CSS styles into your prototype, giving you complete control over the look and feel. This is particularly useful for:

• •Branding: Apply your brand's colors, fonts, and styles to your prototype.
• •Visual Experimentation: Quickly iterate on different visual designs without modifying the underlying code.
• •Accessibility: Ensure your prototype is accessible by applying appropriate styles for users with disabilities.

Product Flow Maps: Visualizing User Journeys#

Replay generates product flow maps that visualize user journeys through your application. These maps can help you:

• •Identify bottlenecks: Pinpoint areas where users are getting stuck or dropping off.
• •Optimize user flows: Streamline user journeys to improve conversion rates.
• •Understand user behavior: Gain insights into how users are interacting with your application.

Benefits of Using Replay#

• •Faster Prototyping: Generate working UI code in seconds, not hours.
• •Improved Accuracy: Reconstruct UI based on real user behavior, not mock data.
• •Increased Reusability: Generate clean, well-structured code that can be easily integrated into existing projects.
• •Reduced Development Costs: Save time and resources by automating the prototyping process.
• •Data-Driven Design: Make informed design decisions based on real user data.

Frequently Asked Questions#

Is Replay free to use?#

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

How is Replay different from v0.dev?#

While both tools aim to generate code, Replay focuses on behavior-driven reconstruction from video, capturing user intent and generating more accurate and reusable code. v0.dev primarily uses text prompts and generates code based on desired visual outcomes, without analyzing actual user behavior. Replay excels at replicating existing UIs and understanding user flows, while v0.dev is better suited for generating entirely new designs from scratch.

What frameworks does Replay support?#

Replay currently supports React, Vue, and Angular. Support for additional frameworks is planned for future releases.

Can I use Replay to generate code for mobile apps?#

Yes, Replay can generate code for mobile apps as long as you provide a screen recording of a user interacting with the mobile app. The generated code will be compatible with React Native and other mobile development frameworks.

What type of videos work best with Replay?#

Videos with clear UI elements and user interactions work best with Replay. Avoid videos with excessive noise, blur, or rapid movements. High-resolution videos generally produce better results.

---

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