The Landscape Is Shifting
Software development isn’t what it used to be. With artificial intelligence (AI) accelerating the pace of innovation, new paradigms are emerging to make software creation faster, more accessible, and a whole lot less code-heavy. One of the buzziest terms making waves in developer circles? Vibe coding.
But what is vibe coding? Who coined the term? And why is it suddenly everywhere? Let’s break it down.
Decoding Vibe Coding: What Does It Really Mean?
At its heart, vibe coding is a radical shift in how we build software. It’s a way of programming that relies heavily on AI, particularly large language models (LLMs), to generate code based on natural language prompts.
Rather than manually crafting every line of code, vibe coders describe their desired outcome—in English, for example—and let the AI do the heavy lifting. Think of it like this:
You vibe with the idea, describe it to the AI, and it brings the code to life.
This fundamentally changes the developer’s role: from writing syntax to guiding, testing, and refining the output of an AI assistant.
The Origin of the Term “Vibe Coding”
The phrase vibe coding was coined by Andrej Karpathy, a renowned AI expert who co-founded OpenAI and led Tesla’s AI team. In February 2025, Karpathy tweeted about a new way of building software that involved letting go of traditional coding rigor and instead embracing AI-generated solutions based on intuitive prompting.
His take? You don’t write code line-by-line anymore. You “fully give in to the vibes, embrace exponentials, and forget that the code even exists.”
That single observation kicked off a buzz in Silicon Valley and beyond. Developers resonated with the notion that programming could become less technical and more creative. And just like that, vibe coding was born.
How Vibe Coding Works: A Walkthrough
Here’s how vibe coding typically goes down:
- Prompt: You describe what you want the app or feature to do.
- Generate: The AI writes the corresponding code.
- Review: You test the result, reading or running the code.
- Refine: You tell the AI what to tweak, and it iterates.
For example:
“Build a weather app that asks for a city and shows the forecast. Make it mobile-friendly and colorful.”
Boom. The AI writes HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Don’t like the colors? Want better error handling? Just say it.
This iterative loop is where the magic happens.
Tools That Make It Happen
Vibe coding wouldn’t exist without a powerful AI toolchain. These platforms aren’t just assistants — some are becoming agents, capable of acting on your instructions without step-by-step guidance. Here’s the lineup powering the vibe coding movement:
- Replit: Leading the charge with its built-in AI Agent. Just describe your app idea, and the agent can handle everything — from scaffolding code to deploying the app. It’s as close to “set it and forget it” as coding gets.
- Cursor: A fork of VS Code, built specifically for AI-first development. It includes a “Composer” mode that supports autonomous iterations and deep integrations with large language models — ideal for back-and-forth vibe coding workflows.
- Windsurf Editor by Codeium: Crafted for smooth human-AI collaboration. With features that keep the AI “in the flow” with your dev process, Windsurf supports agent-like interaction, anticipating your next move.
- GitHub Copilot: Evolved from basic code completion to chat-based and context-aware coding help. While not full agent mode, it’s inching closer by guiding users across entire workflows.
- v0 by Vercel, Bolt.new, Lovable: These browser-based tools let you build full UIs just by typing prompts. Ideal for product designers and indie hackers who want speed without compromise.
- General-Purpose LLMs: Tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini may not be embedded in IDEs by default, but they’re still wildly effective at generating, refactoring, and even documenting entire codebases from scratch. When paired with platforms like Replit or VS Code, they act as flexible, on-demand co-pilots.
The list is growing, fast. There’s even a GitHub repo called Awesome Vibe Coding curating the latest tools.
Why Vibe Coding Matters
The Perks
- Speed: Rapid prototyping with fewer bottlenecks.
- Accessibility: Even non-coders can build functioning tools.
- Creativity: Less technical friction means more room to explore.
- Iteration: Easy to tweak and improve ideas in real time.
The Pitfalls: Disadvantages and Risks of Vibe Coding
While vibe coding opens new doors, it also comes with some real-world challenges:
🛡️ Security Concerns
AI-generated code isn’t always secure. In fact, it might include vulnerabilities or outdated practices that go unnoticed by users who don’t deeply understand the code. This poses risks, especially for apps handling sensitive data.
🥶 Code Quality and Reliability
AI isn’t infallible. Sometimes it generates inefficient or even non-functional code. Bugs, edge case failures, and unpredictable behavior can slip through the cracks without rigorous testing.
♻️ Maintainability and Technical Debt
AI code might work initially but be poorly structured, undocumented, or hard to extend. This can create long-term maintenance headaches and technical debt, especially when projects scale.
🧐 Over-Reliance on AI
Developers may become too dependent on AI tools, weakening their own problem-solving and debugging skills over time. This can limit their ability to handle issues when AI suggestions fall short.
🤯 Lack of Accountability
If something goes wrong, who takes responsibility? The user? The AI provider? Ambiguity around accountability in AI-generated code is a legal and ethical gray area.
❌ Limited Control
Vibe coding trades deep control for convenience. Developers might find themselves unable to fine-tune performance or make nuanced architectural decisions.
In short, vibe coding is powerful, but not without its landmines. A careful balance of creativity and caution is key.
How It Compares to Traditional and Low-Code Approaches
| Feature | Traditional Coding | Low-Code Platforms | Vibe Coding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skills Required | Deep programming knowledge | Platform familiarity | Natural language & clarity of ideas |
| Development Style | Manual, granular control | Visual interfaces | Conversational, iterative prompts |
| Speed | Slower for complex apps | Medium | Fastest for prototypes |
| Code Access | Direct | Hidden or optional | AI-generated, semi-transparent |
In many ways, vibe coding is the next step after low-code: more flexible, more intuitive, and more AI-centric.
Who’s Using It? Real-World Vibe Coding in Action
- Kevin Roose, a tech journalist, built an app that suggests lunch recipes based on fridge ingredients.
- A developer built an event manager tool in an hour with just prompts.
- Someone else created a full-featured menu translator app using photos, translation, and AI.
No IDE deep dives. No for-loops. Just vibes.
The Road Ahead: Revolution or Ripple?
Vibe coding isn’t just a fad — it’s a reflection of where software development is heading:
- AI taking the reins on implementation.
- Humans focusing more on problem-solving and design.
- New roles emerging: prompt engineers, AI architects, creative technologists.
It may not replace traditional coding entirely, especially for complex, mission-critical systems. But it’s already transforming prototyping, experimentation, and how we think about software.
Final Thought: Time to Ride the Wave
Vibe coding is real, and it’s evolving fast. If you haven’t tried it yet, now might be the time to dip your toes in.
Because in the age of AI, sometimes all you need is a good idea, a clear prompt, and the right vibe.