Vibe Coding - The New Era of Programming with AI
What is Vibe Coding?
Vibe Coding is an emerging approach to programming that uses large language models (LLMs) to generate code from natural-language instructions. This lets developers, even without deep technical knowledge, build applications by describing desired features, delegating the coding to AI.
The term was coined by Andrej Karpathy, OpenAI co-founder and former Tesla AI director, in February 2025. Karpathy described this approach as useful for quick projects or prototypes, acknowledging AI may not understand or fix every bug, requiring user experimentation. Source: Y Combinator
Popular Tools
Several tools have been used to facilitate vibe coding:
- Cursor: An integrated development environment (IDE) that integrates AI to assist code generation.
- Windsurf: Backend-focused with AI support.
- Replit: Online platform for collaborative coding with AI assistance.
- Lovable: Beginner-friendly interface for AI-assisted development.
Impact on Startups
Vibe coding has enabled startups to operate with smaller teams, maintaining high productivity. Garry Tan, Y Combinator CEO, observed companies can reach significant revenue with lean teams thanks to AI-powered automation.
Considerations and Limitations
Despite the advantages, vibe coding presents challenges:
- Code Understanding: Developers may not fully grasp generated code.
- Security: Lack of understanding can introduce vulnerabilities.
- Code Quality: AI may introduce bugs or poor practices.
📘 YC’s Complete Vibe Coding Guide
🧠 Planning with AI
- Plan with AI
- Refine and reduce
- Scope control
- Implement in parts
- Track progress
- Frequent commits
🔁 Version Control
- Use Git religiously
- Start clean
- Use
git reset --hard HEAD - Avoid accumulated issues
- Re-implement cleanly
🧪 Testing
- Prefer high-level tests
- Simulate real users
- Avoid regressions
- Test before moving on
- Use tests as guardrails
🐞 Bug Fixing
- Use error messages
- Analyze before coding
- Restart after failure
- Implement logs
- Switch models
- Re-implement cleanly
⚙️ AI Tooling Optimization
- Create instruction files
- Keep local documentation
- Use multiple tools
- Compare outputs
🧩 Complex Feature Development
- Isolated prototyping
- Use reference implementations
- Keep clear boundaries
- Modular architecture
🧱 Tech Stack
- Use established frameworks
- Training data matters
- Modularize
- Avoid giant files
🌐 Beyond Code
- Automate DevOps
- Design assistance
- Content creation
- Use AI as learning tool
- Use screenshots and voice input
🔄 Continuous Improvement
- Refactor often
- Seek improvements with AI
- Stay updated with new models
- Recognize model strengths
🎯 Conclusion
Vibe coding represents a significant shift in how we develop software, making programming more accessible and efficient. However, it’s essential to balance automation with solid engineering practices to ensure the creation of robust and secure solutions.