Building apps and sites is changing. Whether you’re an experienced developer or just starting out, AI tools are transforming how we approach code.
Vibe coding isn’t about your skill level, it’s about your approach. Instead of obsessing over syntax and implementation details, vibe coders describe what they want to build and let AI handle the specifics. This shift lets everyone, from senior engineers to first-time builders, focus on outcomes rather than syntax.
The term “vibe coder” describes anyone who uses AI tools like Claude, Cursor, or Windsurf to translate ideas directly into working code. You might be a seasoned developer who wants to prototype faster, or someone building their first site. Either way, if you’re describing what you want rather than writing every line yourself, you’re vibe coding.
Curious about how vibe coding works and whether it fits your workflow? This guide is for you. Keep scrolling to learn more about vibe coding and how it’s gaining popularity among non-developers to veteran engineers.
What is vibe coder?
A vibe coder or vide coding is a new slang term that refers to the style of coding that uses AI-assisted tools to build your code for you, all based off “vibes.” A vibe coder will simply describe what they want to see in their project, and AI will write the code for them. Today, there are plenty of advanced large language models and sites that are designed specifically for helping people turn their ideas into code. These include Bolt, Lovable, Claude, Cursor, Windsurf, and many others.
The phrase “vibe coder” was coined by Andrej Karpathy, one of the co-founders of OpenAI, who describes it as “forgetting that the code even exists.” All you do is choose a large language model that knows how to code, explain to it in detail what you want your project to look like, and it does all the coding for you.
How is vibe coding changing the programming world today?
Vibe coding represents a fundamental shift in how we build for the web. Experienced developers use it to prototype rapidly without getting bogged down in boilerplate. New developers use it to bring ideas to life while learning. Teams use it to iterate faster and test concepts before committing resources.
This approach changes what skills matter most. While understanding code remains valuable, the ability to clearly articulate requirements, provide good prompts, and recognize quality output becomes equally important. It’s not replacing traditional development. It’s expanding who can build and how fast you can ship.
Why developers and builders choose vibe coding
Not sure how vibe coding can help you out? Here are just some of this new programming trend’s most significant benefits.
Speed over perfection
Even experienced developers don’t always need hand-crafted code. When testing an idea or building a proof of concept, vibe coding gets you from idea to working prototype faster.
Focus on user experience, not syntax
Whether you’re technical or not, vibe coding lets you concentrate on what users will experience rather than implementation details. Describe the interaction you want and let AI handle the variables.
Learn by shipping, not studying
New developers can build real projects while learning, seeing working code in context rather than studying syntax in isolation. Experienced developers can explore new languages or frameworks without deep diving into documentation.
Launch more features, faster
Developers using traditional coding workflows pore over every line of code for days or weeks. Meanwhile, vibe coders don’t have to spend so much time perfecting their code to get a great prototype since AI cleans up their code for them. That means idea-to-launch is much faster, which saves lots of time for those who want to get their project out there quickly.
It’s more cost-efficient
Using an AI tool to build a site for you is much cheaper than collaborating with experienced developers to make your project for you. That’s why vibe coding is an excellent option for small businesses that don’t yet have the budget to hire a full-time dev team for their early-stage sites and apps.
The limitations of vibe coding
While vibe coding has several benefits worth exploring, it’s not perfect. It also has several limitations to keep in mind, such as:
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Complex architecture and infrastructure: While AI can generate application code effectively, it has limited access to your specific infrastructure setup, deployment pipelines, and system architecture. Connecting to databases, configuring cloud services, or designing distributed systems often requires human expertise and context that AI can’t fully grasp.
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Context window constraints: LLMs have limits on how much information they can process at once. Large codebases, complex business logic, or intricate data relationships might exceed what AI can effectively understand and modify in a single session.
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Prompt precision matters: The quality of AI-generated code directly correlates with prompt clarity. Vague descriptions lead to misaligned outputs. Even experienced developers need to iterate on prompts to get exactly what they want.
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Pattern-based creativity: AI excels at combining existing patterns but may struggle with truly novel interfaces or unique user experiences. It’s trained on common solutions, so breakthrough innovative designs typically need human creativity.
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Performance and optimization: AI-generated code works but might not be optimized for specific performance requirements. High-traffic applications, real-time systems, or resource-constrained environments benefit from a deep understanding of the app and system’s inner-workings.
How to vibe code with the help of Netlify
Getting started with vibe coding is straightforward. All you have to do is find an AI tool you’re comfortable with. Describe what type of project you want to build and use the tool to generate the code. Then, simply provide infrastructure that runs it, or connect it to Netlify, allowing it to go live instantly.
Netlify is built for how creators actually work today, including with AI tools. Our platform handles deployment automatically, so you can focus on building rather than setting up and managing infrastructure. Generate code with Bolt, Windsurf or any of the AI tools that integrate with Netlify.
The platform includes everything applications and those that manage them need:
- Instant rollbacks when AI generates something unexpected one click returns you to any previous version
- Deploy previews for testing AI iterations before they go live
- Serverless functions that work immediately for building APIs without managing servers
- Secret scanning to prevent API keys and credentials from being exposed
We even have our official Netlify MCP (Model Context Protocol) server that lets AI assistants like Claude work directly with Netlify. This means your LLM can understand your Netlify setup, manage deployments, and handle your sites, all through natural conversation.
Launch your vibe coded projects with Netlify
Vibe coding is shifting how to approach building sites and apps in the world of programming. With this AI-native approach, developers at any level can ship faster by focusing on what to build rather than how to write it.
Ready to turn your creative vision into a real, live app? Start deploying your AI-assisted projects on Netlify’s free tier. You focus on ideating and building, and we’ll get your project out there for people to see.
FAQs about vibe coding
What projects can you create with vibe coding?
Vibe coding allows developers and non-developers to build all sorts of creative projects, from sites to apps. As long as your AI coding tool can help you build it, there’s no limit to what you can create.
Is vibe coding the same as no-code or low-code development?
Not exactly. No-code platforms allow users to visually build their sites and apps, while the platform comes up with the code on the backend. Low-code platforms are similar, except users get the option to add lines of code whenever they want. Meanwhile, vibe coders use AI to assist them all the way through their development journey, without them needing to manually drag and drop or build the site visually.
Can vibe coding help me learn “real” coding skills over time?
Absolutely, when you vibe code with the help of AI, it gives you a chance to read and interact with lines of code it writes and learn its structure and functionalities. It allows new developers to grasp the concepts of HTML, JavaScript, and more.