Solve Time-Consuming Refactoring: Convert Video of Old UI into Code Using Replay

TL;DR: Replay uses video analysis and Gemini to automatically convert recordings of old UIs into clean, working code, significantly accelerating refactoring projects.

Refactoring legacy UI code is a developer's nightmare. You're often dealing with outdated frameworks, undocumented features, and a general lack of context. Manually recreating UI elements from screenshots or, worse, from memory, is incredibly time-consuming and prone to errors. But what if you could simply record a video of the existing UI in action and have that automatically transformed into clean, maintainable code? That's the power of Replay.

The Problem: Legacy UI Refactoring is a Black Hole#

Refactoring UI code is often a slow, painful process. Consider these common challenges:

• •Outdated Frameworks: Migrating from older frameworks like jQuery or AngularJS to modern React or Vue requires a complete rewrite.
• •Missing Documentation: Understanding the original intent and functionality of the UI can be difficult without proper documentation.
• •Visual Discrepancies: Recreating UI elements from screenshots often leads to subtle but noticeable visual differences.
• •Behavioral Complexity: Capturing the dynamic behavior of the UI, such as animations and user interactions, is difficult without the original code.
• •Time Consuming: All of these factors contribute to a lengthy and expensive refactoring process.

Traditional screenshot-to-code tools offer a limited solution. They can generate basic UI elements, but they fail to capture the dynamic behavior and underlying logic of the UI. They treat the UI as a static image, ignoring the user interactions and data flow that define its functionality.

The Solution: Behavior-Driven Reconstruction with Replay#

Replay takes a fundamentally different approach. Instead of relying on static screenshots, Replay analyzes video recordings of the UI in action. This allows Replay to understand not just what the UI looks like, but how it behaves. By leveraging the power of Gemini, Replay reconstructs the UI's code based on its observed behavior, a process we call "Behavior-Driven Reconstruction."

Here's how Replay addresses the challenges of legacy UI refactoring:

• •Video as Source of Truth: Replay uses video recordings to capture the complete visual and behavioral aspects of the UI.
• •Behavior Analysis: Replay analyzes user interactions, animations, and data flow to understand the UI's functionality.
• •Code Generation: Replay generates clean, maintainable code that replicates the UI's behavior.
• •Multi-Page Generation: Replay can handle complex, multi-page applications, preserving the relationships between different screens.
• •Supabase Integration: Replay seamlessly integrates with Supabase for data management and authentication.
• •Style Injection: Replay allows you to inject custom styles to match your existing design system.
• •Product Flow Maps: Replay generates visual maps of user flows, making it easier to understand the application's navigation and functionality.

This approach offers several key advantages over traditional methods:

• •Accuracy: Replay accurately captures the UI's behavior, reducing the risk of errors and inconsistencies.
• •Speed: Replay automates the code generation process, significantly reducing the time and effort required for refactoring.
• •Maintainability: Replay generates clean, well-structured code that is easy to understand and maintain.
• •Context: Replay provides valuable context about the UI's functionality, making it easier to understand and modify.

Replay vs. Traditional Methods#

Implementing Replay: A Step-by-Step Guide#

Let's walk through a practical example of using Replay to refactor a legacy UI. Suppose you have an old web application with a complex form built using jQuery. You want to migrate this form to React.

Step 1: Recording the UI#

Use a screen recording tool (like Loom, or even the built-in screen recorder on your OS) to record a video of you interacting with the legacy form. Make sure to demonstrate all the key functionalities, such as:

• •Entering data into different fields
• •Submitting the form
• •Handling validation errors
• •Navigating between different sections of the form

💡 Pro Tip: Speak clearly while recording, describing what you're doing. This helps Replay better understand the intent behind your actions.

Step 2: Uploading to Replay#

Upload the video recording to Replay. Replay will automatically analyze the video and begin reconstructing the UI's code.

Step 3: Reviewing and Refining the Generated Code#

Once Replay has finished processing the video, you can review the generated code. Replay will typically generate React components, including:

• •Form elements (input fields, text areas, checkboxes, etc.)
• •Event handlers (onSubmit, onChange, etc.)
• •Validation logic
• •Styling (CSS or styled components)

You can then refine the generated code to match your specific requirements. For example, you might want to:

• •Adjust the styling to match your existing design system
• •Add custom validation logic
• •Integrate the form with your backend API

Step 4: Integrating with Supabase (Optional)#

If your application uses Supabase for data management, you can easily integrate the generated code with your Supabase database. Replay can automatically generate the necessary code to:

• •Fetch data from Supabase
• •Submit data to Supabase
• •Handle authentication

Here's an example of how you might fetch data from Supabase using the generated code:

typescript
// Example: Fetching data from Supabase
import { createClient } from '@supabase/supabase-js';

const supabaseUrl = 'YOUR_SUPABASE_URL';
const supabaseKey = 'YOUR_SUPABASE_ANON_KEY';
const supabase = createClient(supabaseUrl, supabaseKey);

const fetchData = async () => {
  const { data, error } = await supabase
    .from('your_table')
    .select('*');

  if (error) {
    console.error('Error fetching data:', error);
    return [];
  }

  return data;
};

export default fetchData;

⚠️ Warning: Remember to replace

text

YOUR_SUPABASE_URL

and

text

YOUR_SUPABASE_ANON_KEY

with your actual Supabase credentials. Store these securely in your environment variables.

Step 5: Deploying the Refactored UI#

Once you're satisfied with the generated code, you can deploy the refactored UI to your production environment. Replay makes it easy to integrate the generated code with your existing build process.

Advanced Features and Customization#

Replay offers a range of advanced features to customize the code generation process:

• •Style Injection: You can inject custom CSS or styled components to ensure that the generated UI matches your existing design system.
• •Custom Components: You can define custom components that Replay should use when generating code. This allows you to reuse existing components and maintain consistency across your application.
• •Code Snippets: You can provide code snippets that Replay should use to handle specific tasks, such as data validation or API integration.

Benefits of Using Replay#

• •Reduced Development Time: Automates code generation, significantly reducing refactoring time.
• •Improved Accuracy: Captures UI behavior accurately, minimizing errors.
• •Enhanced Maintainability: Generates clean, well-structured code.
• •Increased Productivity: Frees up developers to focus on more complex tasks.
• •Better Understanding: Provides valuable context about the UI's functionality.

📝 Note: Replay is continuously evolving, with new features and improvements being added regularly. Check the Replay documentation for the latest updates.

Frequently Asked Questions#

Is Replay free to use?#

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

How is Replay different from v0.dev?#

While both tools aim to generate code, Replay uniquely utilizes video input and behavior analysis. v0.dev primarily relies on text prompts and existing code libraries. Replay focuses on reconstructing existing UI based on observed behavior, making it ideal for refactoring scenarios where understanding the current UI's functionality is crucial. Replay’s Behavior-Driven Reconstruction ensures a more accurate and context-aware code generation process compared to text-prompt based approaches.

What frameworks does Replay support?#

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

How secure is Replay?#

Replay uses industry-standard security measures to protect your data. All video recordings are stored securely and are only accessible to authorized users.

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