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January 15, 20266 min readTransform Existing Websites

Transform Existing Websites with AI: Rebuild Your UI in Minutes

R
Replay Team
Developer Advocates

TL;DR: Rebuild and enhance existing websites in minutes using Replay, the AI-powered video-to-code engine that understands user behavior, not just pixels.

The promise of AI-powered code generation has been largely unfulfilled, especially when it comes to revitalizing existing websites. Screenshot-to-code tools offer a superficial solution, merely replicating visual elements without understanding the underlying functionality or user intent. This results in brittle, unmaintainable code that quickly becomes a liability. Forget static replicas; it's time for dynamic, behavior-driven website transformations.

The Flaw in Screenshot-to-Code#

The current generation of AI-powered UI tools focuses on converting static images into code. This approach misses the forest for the trees. A screenshot only captures a single moment in time, failing to represent the dynamic interactions and user flows that define a website's true value.

FeatureScreenshot-to-CodeReplay
Input SourceStatic ImageVideo Recording
Behavior Analysis
Understanding User Intent
Multi-Page GenerationLimitedRobust
Code MaintainabilityLowHigh
Fidelity to Original FunctionalityPoorExcellent

As the table illustrates, screenshot-to-code tools are fundamentally limited. They lack the ability to analyze user behavior and reconstruct the underlying logic that drives a website. This results in code that is visually similar but functionally inferior.

⚠️ Warning: Relying solely on screenshot-to-code tools can lead to a false sense of progress. While you might get a visually appealing replica, the underlying functionality and maintainability will likely be compromised.

Introducing Replay: Behavior-Driven Reconstruction#

Replay takes a fundamentally different approach. Instead of relying on static images, Replay analyzes video recordings of user interactions to understand the underlying behavior and intent. This "Behavior-Driven Reconstruction" allows Replay to generate code that is not only visually accurate but also functionally equivalent to the original website.

Replay uses Gemini to meticulously analyze every frame of a video recording, identifying UI elements, user interactions, and the flow of data between different components. This deep understanding enables Replay to reconstruct the website's architecture, including its data models, event handlers, and routing logic.

💡 Pro Tip: The quality of your video recording directly impacts the accuracy of the generated code. Ensure that your recording captures all relevant user interactions and provides clear visibility of UI elements.

Transforming Existing Websites with Replay: A Step-by-Step Guide#

Here's a practical guide to transforming an existing website using Replay:

Step 1: Record User Interactions#

Record a video of yourself interacting with the website you want to transform. Capture all key user flows, including navigation, form submissions, and data updates.

📝 Note: The more comprehensive your recording, the better Replay will be able to understand the website's behavior.

Step 2: Upload the Video to Replay#

Upload your video recording to the Replay platform. Replay will automatically analyze the video and begin reconstructing the website's UI and functionality.

Step 3: Review and Refine the Generated Code#

Once the reconstruction is complete, review the generated code. Replay provides a visual interface for inspecting the code and making any necessary adjustments.

typescript
// Example of a generated function based on user interaction in the video const handleSubmit = async (data: FormData) => { try { const response = await fetch('/api/submit', { method: 'POST', body: JSON.stringify(data), headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json', }, }); if (response.ok) { alert('Form submitted successfully!'); } else { alert('Error submitting form.'); } } catch (error) { console.error('Error:', error); alert('An unexpected error occurred.'); } };

This code snippet demonstrates how Replay can reconstruct event handlers based on user interactions captured in the video. Notice how it infers the data format and API endpoint from the observed behavior.

Step 4: Integrate with Supabase (Optional)#

Replay seamlessly integrates with Supabase, allowing you to automatically connect your reconstructed UI to a backend database. This simplifies the process of building dynamic, data-driven applications.

Step 5: Inject Custom Styles#

Replay allows you to inject custom styles into the generated code, enabling you to quickly adapt the UI to your brand guidelines.

css
/* Example of injected CSS styles */ .button { background-color: #007bff; color: white; padding: 10px 20px; border-radius: 5px; } .button:hover { background-color: #0056b3; }

This code snippet illustrates how you can use CSS to customize the appearance of UI elements generated by Replay.

Replay's Key Features:#

  • Multi-Page Generation: Reconstruct entire websites with multiple pages and complex navigation flows.
  • Supabase Integration: Seamlessly connect your UI to a backend database for dynamic data management.
  • Style Injection: Customize the look and feel of your UI with custom CSS styles.
  • Product Flow Maps: Visualize user flows and identify areas for optimization.
  • Behavior-Driven Reconstruction: Understand user intent and generate code that accurately reflects the website's functionality.

Benefits of Using Replay:#

  • Save Time and Resources: Rebuild existing websites in minutes, freeing up valuable development time.
  • Improve Code Quality: Generate clean, maintainable code that is based on real user behavior.
  • Enhance User Experience: Optimize user flows and create a more intuitive and engaging website.
  • Modernize Legacy Systems: Breathe new life into outdated websites with a modern, AI-powered approach.
  • Rapid Prototyping: Quickly prototype new features and iterate on existing designs.

Challenging Conventional Wisdom#

The traditional approach to website modernization involves manual code refactoring or costly redesign projects. These methods are time-consuming, error-prone, and often fail to capture the nuances of user behavior. Replay offers a radical alternative: a behavior-driven approach that leverages the power of AI to automate the reconstruction process.

Replay understands that websites are not just collections of pixels; they are dynamic systems that respond to user interactions. By analyzing video recordings of these interactions, Replay can generate code that is not only visually accurate but also functionally equivalent to the original website. This ensures a seamless transition to a modern, maintainable codebase.

Frequently Asked Questions#

Is Replay free to use?#

Replay offers a free tier with limited functionality. Paid plans are available for users who require more advanced features and higher usage limits.

How is Replay different from v0.dev?#

V0.dev is a screenshot-to-code tool, while Replay is a video-to-code engine. Replay analyzes user behavior to generate more accurate and functional code. V0.dev focuses on visual similarity, while Replay prioritizes functional equivalence. Replay also offers features like Supabase integration and style injection, which are not available in v0.dev.

What types of websites can Replay transform?#

Replay can transform a wide range of websites, including e-commerce sites, blogs, and web applications. The only requirement is that you have a video recording of user interactions with the website.

What if the video quality is poor?#

While higher quality videos yield better results, Replay can often still generate usable code from lower quality videos. Experimentation is key!


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

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