Replica: from app teardown to your own rebranded launch
Copying a product that already works is a common way to start, and the easy mistake is copying too much. Replica splits the job into eleven steps from recon to deploy; each skill writes into a replica/ folder that the next one reads. It rebuilds features and user flows, while the original's code, logo and copy stay out.
/replica-recon maps screens, flows, components and an inferred data model from public pages, screenshots, store listings and your own account.
/replica-architect picks the stack and writes the schema and API plan; /replica-design measures screenshots into tokens using open fonts and icons.
/replica-test writes a test plan and Playwright specs from the recorded flows, then /replica-diff gives a parity score and a list of gaps.
/replica-entrepreneur ranks complaints from linked, real reviews and drops any review without a source URL before suggesting fixes.
sweep.py searches your code for the original's name, domain and colours, and /replica-deploy refuses to ship until that sweep is clean.
When to use it
You want your own take on a booking tool or tracker and need a screen-by-screen plan instead of guessing.
Before launch you need a measured answer to whether the clone covers every must-have feature.
You are still weighing a niche and want to read what users of the current leader complain about most.
Ask your agent
Run /replica-recon on this scheduling app's public pages and list its flows
Use /replica-diff to compare clone.png with original.png and tell me what's missing
Run /replica-entrepreneur on reviews.csv and suggest three fixes for my version
Questions
How do I install Replica?
Run npx skills add Jakeschincariol/replica-skill, or in Claude Code add the marketplace with /plugin marketplace add Jakeschincariol/replica-skill and install replica-skill@replica-skill. Copying the replica-* folders into ~/.claude/skills/ gives un-prefixed commands.
Is cloning an app with Replica legal?
The skills are designed to rebuild functionality and UX patterns only, never source code, assets, trademarks or private APIs. The README still tells you to run trademark checks, read the terms of anything you used and see a lawyer when money is involved.
Can I run a single Replica skill without the others?
Yes. Each command works alone, and the author suggests /replica-entrepreneur on an app you are only considering, to see whether a clone is worth building.
