What is vibe coding?
The term vibe coding is everywhere lately, often with the idea that you could build an app without knowing how to code. Behind the word lies a real shift: instead of writing code line by line, you describe what you want in natural language and let the AI write it for you. This guide explains clearly what vibe coding is, where the term comes from, how it works, with which tools, and above all when it is a good idea or not.
Key takeaways
- Vibe coding is describing an app in natural language and letting the AI write the code, with little manual review.
- The term was coined by Andrej Karpathy in early 2025; it means development driven by intent, not syntax.
- It is perfect to prototype and experiment fast, less so for code headed to production without review.
- Common tools are Cursor, Claude Code, Copilot, v0, Replit; skills then help make the result reliable.
What exactly is vibe coding?
Vibe coding is a way of building software where you no longer type the code yourself. You describe, in natural language, what you want to get, and an AI generates the matching code. You look at the result, you test it, and if it is not quite right, you rephrase your request rather than fixing the code by hand.
The term was popularized by Andrej Karpathy, a well-known AI researcher, in early 2025. His idea fits in one line: you let yourself be carried by the result and the feel, trusting the AI for the implementation details. The concept caught on so well that Collins Dictionary named 'vibe coding' its word of the year 2025.
Here is the shift: you move from writing syntax, the exact language the machine understands, to driving by intent, what you want the software to do. The AI is the one translating intent into code.
What does a vibe coding session look like?
In practice, it all starts with a description. You write, for example, 'create a page that lists my tasks, with a button to add one and a checkbox to complete them'. The AI immediately generates a first working version.
Then comes the loop. You run the app, you see what works and what does not, and you rephrase: 'grey out completed tasks', 'add a due date'. On each round, the AI edits the code and moves you closer to the result you want. You progress through iterations, in plain language.
What changes from classic development is the level of attention to the code. In vibe coding, you mostly judge the visible result and the behavior, without necessarily reading every line produced. That is what makes the approach fast, and it is also what calls for caution.
Vibe coding or AI-assisted coding: what is the difference?
Not every use of AI to code is vibe coding. A developer who uses AI but reviews and validates each suggestion is doing AI-assisted coding: they keep control of the code, the AI is just an accelerator. That is the approach we recommend for serious code.
Vibe coding goes further: you largely accept what the AI produces, without examining everything, trusting that 'it works'. So the line is about the scrutiny you apply to the code, not about the tool. The same editor can serve both.
Keep the distinction in mind: AI-assisted coding puts the AI at the service of a developer who stays in charge; vibe coding hands the wheel to the AI and focuses on the result. Both have their place, but not for the same projects.
What is vibe coding good for, and for whom?
Vibe coding shines for fast prototyping. In minutes, you turn an idea into a running app, to test it, show it or validate a concept. It is precious for an MVP, a demo, a weekend project or a small internal tool.
It also opens the door to non-developer profiles: a project owner, a designer, a business lead can build a first draft themselves, without waiting for a technical team. Intent is enough to get started.
On the other hand, the higher the stakes, with real users, sensitive data or software that must last, the more vibe coding alone shows its limits. It then becomes a starting point to consolidate, not a finished product.
Which tools are used for vibe coding?
Several families of tools make vibe coding accessible. AI editors and agents like Cursor or Claude Code let you describe a feature and watch the code appear. Assistants like GitHub Copilot or Windsurf continuously complete what you write.
Other tools go from text to a full app: v0, Replit, Bolt or Lovable generate an interface and its code from a simple description. Depending on whether you want to keep control of the code or just a visible result, you will pick one or the other.
What all these tools share: they understand your intent and produce code. The next question becomes 'how do I make sure this code is reliable?'
How do you make a vibe-coded project reliable?
A vibe-coded prototype saves time, but it can hide blind spots: code no one has reviewed, missing tests, security flaws. Before relying on it, three reflexes are worth gold: have the code reviewed, cover it with tests, and audit its security.
This is where skills take over. Rather than checking everything by hand, you ask the AI to run a structured code review, generate the missing tests and hunt for vulnerabilities. The quick prototype becomes a base you can build on.
Three skills to turn a vibe-coded project into code you can trust:
Dispatch a code reviewer subagent to catch issues before they cascade. The reviewer gets precisely crafted context for e…
Agents IA spécialisésView the skill →Create, run, and improve tests to validate changes.
Tests et qualitéView the skill →Detects vulnerabilities, unsafe inputs, authentication risks, and poor security practices.
SécuritéView the skill →Should you get into vibe coding?
Yes, if you want to turn an idea into something real without waiting. For a prototype, a demo or a personal tool, vibe coding is a great accelerator, even when you do not code every day. The best way to learn is to try it on a small project.
Just keep in mind the rule that runs through this blog: the AI proposes, you decide. On a real product, vibe coding does not excuse you from reviewing, testing and understanding what runs. That is precisely the meaning of the field's recent shift, where people increasingly talk about orchestrating agents with a critical eye rather than handing everything over blindly.
To choose a tool and extend it with the right skills, our dedicated guides help you go from prototype to solid code.
Frequently asked questions about vibe coding
Is vibe coding only for non-developers?
No. Non-developers find in it a way to build a first draft without a technical team, but experienced developers also use it to prototype very fast. The difference is that a developer will know how to review and consolidate the result when the project gets serious.
What is the difference between vibe coding and AI-assisted coding?
AI-assisted coding keeps the developer in charge: they review and validate each AI suggestion. Vibe coding largely accepts the generated code without examining everything, focusing on the result. Same tool, but a very different relationship to the code.
Can you put vibe-coded code into production?
Yes, provided you consolidate it first. A vibe-coded prototype should be reviewed, tested and security-audited before it welcomes real users or sensitive data. Vibe coding is an excellent starting point, not a green light to ship without a safety net.
Which tools should you use to get into vibe coding?
Editors and agents like Cursor or Claude Code, assistants like GitHub Copilot or Windsurf, and app generators like v0, Replit, Bolt or Lovable. Start with the one that matches your comfort level, then make the code reliable with review and testing skills.
Ready to take action?
Explore the skills and plugins matched to your needs and install them in minutes in your AI coding tool.
