Vibe coding is an artificial intelligence-assisted software development style popularised by Andrej Karpathy in early 2025. The core idea is simple yet powerful: instead of writing complex code manually, developers describe what they want in natural language, and AI tools convert these descriptions into working software.

Vibe coding is a fresh take in coding where users express their intention using plain speech and the AI transforms that thinking into executable code. This approach makes programming accessible to people who may not have extensive coding experience but understand what they want to build.

How Vibe Coding Works

The process of vibe coding is straightforward. At its core, vibe coding is about communicating with AI in natural language to build apps. Instead of writing code, you describe what you want your app to do, and AI tools handle the technical implementation.

Here’s how it typically works:

Step 1: Describe Your Vision You tell the AI assistant what you want to create using everyday language. For example, “I want a simple to-do list app with the ability to add, delete, and mark tasks as complete.”

Step 2: AI Generation The artificial intelligence processes your description and generates the necessary code, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, or other programming languages needed for your project.

Step 3: Iterate and Improve You can ask for changes, add features, or modify existing functionality by continuing the conversation with the AI coding assistant.

Why Vibe Coding is Gaining Popularity

Several factors make vibe coding attractive to both beginners and experienced developers:

Speed of Development The speed at which an LLM can produce code is an order of magnitude faster than even the most skilled human programmers. This acceleration allows for rapid prototyping and quick testing of ideas.

Lower Barriers to Entry Traditional programming requires learning specific syntax and understanding complex programming concepts. Vibe coding removes these barriers by allowing people to communicate their ideas in natural language.

Focus on Ideas Over Implementation This frees you up to be more of a manager or director, focusing on the application’s overall design and functionality rather than getting bogged down in technical details.

Popular Vibe Coding Tools and Platforms

Many AI-powered development platforms support vibe coding approaches:

GitHub Copilot One of the most popular AI coding assistants that suggests code completions and entire functions based on comments and context.

Replit You can vibe code with purpose-built AI app builders like Softr, Lovable, or Replit. Replit offers an integrated development environment with AI assistance.

Cursor An AI-powered code editor that understands context and can generate code based on natural language descriptions.

Claude and ChatGPT General-purpose AI assistants that can help with coding tasks when prompted appropriately.

Getting Started with Vibe Coding

For beginners wanting to try vibe coding, here are practical steps:

Choose Your Platform Start with user-friendly platforms like Replit or use general AI assistants like Claude or ChatGPT for simple projects.

Start Small Begin with simple applications like calculators, to-do lists, or basic websites before attempting complex software.

Be Specific The more detailed your descriptions, the better results you’ll get. Instead of saying “make a website,” try “create a personal portfolio website with a header, about section, and contact form.”

Learn to Communicate with AI Understanding how to prompt AI effectively is crucial. Include details about styling, functionality, and user experience in your descriptions.

Advantages of Vibe Coding

Rapid Prototyping Ideas can be turned into working prototypes quickly, making it easier to test concepts and iterate.

Accessibility People without traditional programming backgrounds can create functional applications.

Reduced Development Time One research study has shown that the global revenue for AI code assistants will surpass $15 billion in 2025, indicating strong market adoption.

Creative Freedom Vibe Coding with AI means using AI tools like GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT or Replit Ghostwriter to make coding more relaxed, creative and fun.

Limitations and Considerations

Code Quality Concerns Since vibe coding often involves not reviewing the generated code, there may be issues with code quality, security, or efficiency.

Learning Limitations When I talk about vibe coding, I mean building software with an LLM without reviewing the code it writes. This approach may limit learning opportunities for understanding how code actually works.

Dependency on AI Tools Heavy reliance on AI assistants might reduce problem-solving skills and coding knowledge.

Project Complexity Vibe coding works best for simpler projects and prototypes. Complex enterprise applications may still require traditional development approaches.

Best Practices for Vibe Coding

Be Clear and Detailed Provide comprehensive descriptions of what you want your application to do, including user interface elements and functionality.

Test Regularly Even though AI generates the code, regular testing ensures the application works as expected.

Understand the Output While vibe coding doesn’t require deep coding knowledge, understanding the basics helps in communicating better with AI tools.

Iterate Gradually Make incremental changes rather than requesting major overhauls, which helps maintain consistency.

The Future of Vibe Coding

But is vibe coding the future, or just another passing trend? The answer likely depends on how the technology evolves and how developers adapt to these new tools.

Many experts believe vibe coding will become more sophisticated, with AI assistants becoming better at understanding context and generating higher-quality code. However, traditional programming skills will likely remain important for complex projects and system architecture.

Conclusion

Vibe coding represents a significant shift in software development, making programming more accessible and speeding up the development process. While it’s particularly useful for beginners, prototyping, and simple applications, it’s not a complete replacement for traditional programming skills.

Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced developer, experimenting with vibe coding can provide new perspectives on software development and help you build applications more quickly. The key is understanding when to use this approach and how to communicate effectively with AI coding assistants.

As artificial intelligence continues to improve, vibe coding will likely become an increasingly important part of the software development landscape, offering new opportunities for creativity and innovation in programming.

References

1. IBM Think – What is Vibe Coding?: https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/vibe-coding
2. MIT Technology Review – What is vibe coding, exactly?: https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/04/16/1115135/what-is-vibe-coding-exactly/
3. DataCamp – What Is Vibe Coding? Definition, Tools, Pros and Cons: https://www.datacamp.com/datacamp-blog/vibe-coding
4. GeeksforGeeks – What is Vibe Coding: https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/what-is-vibe-coding/

This article is part of our comprehensive AI education. For more foundational knowledge, read our previous posts on AI Basics and Machine Learning Explained and AI Ethics: Navigating the Moral Challenges of Intelligent Machines.