Ever had a great app idea but got stuck because coding felt too complex?
Vibe coding changes that—letting you build apps by describing what you want in plain English, while AI writes the code.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to get started, what tools to use, and why your role shifts from coder to creative director in this new way of building software.
Ready to Code with Your Ideas?
Have you ever had a brilliant app idea but felt stopped by the thought of needing to learn complex programming languages? What if you could turn your vision into a working application simply by describing what you want in plain English?
Welcome to the world of Vibe Coding.
Popularized by AI expert Andrej Karpathy, vibe coding leverages the power of Artificial Intelligence, specifically large language models (LLMs), to generate code based on your natural language instructions. Karpathy described it as a form of coding where you “fully give in to the vibes… and forget that the code even exists”. The idea is that “the hottest new programming language is English”.
This approach is a game-changer, making app development accessible to everyone, not just experienced programmers. It’s about shifting your role from writing code line-by-line to becoming the creative director or product manager, describing your desired features and guiding the AI to build it.
So, how do you get started with vibe coding if you’re new to the world of programming?
Getting Started with Vibe Coding: Your Step-by-Step Path
Getting started is simpler than you might think. The core process involves describing your idea, letting the AI generate code, and then refining it based on your feedback. Here’s a breakdown:
Choose Your AI Coding Tool: You’ll need a tool that can interpret your prompts and generate code. For beginners, browser-based platforms are a great way to start without installing anything.
Options like Replit allow you to start a project in your browser and use AI features.
Tools like Bolt.new, Lovable, and Yourware are designed to help generate and even deploy full applications quickly from prompts.
Other popular tools include Cursor or Windsurf, which are IDEs (Integrated Development Environments) with built-in AI assistance, but might require installation or API keys.
Define Your Idea and Requirements: Decide what you want to build. Start small for your first project – like a simple webpage or a basic script. Outline the core functionality you need in plain language, like a to-do list that lets you add and delete tasks.
Write Your First Prompt: This is where you tell the AI what you want. Be clear and specific. Think of it like giving instructions to a junior developer. For our to-do list, you might say: “Please generate an HTML, CSS, and JavaScript-based to-do list web app. The page should include a text input field and an ‘Add’ button. When a user enters a task and clicks ‘Add,’ the task should be displayed as a list item below. Each task should have a ‘Delete’ button”.
Get the AI-Generated Code: The AI will process your request and generate the corresponding code. Your tool will show you the code, often providing a way to insert or apply it to your project.
Run and Test the Code: This is a crucial step. See if the code works as expected. For a web app, open it in a browser or preview pane and try adding and deleting tasks. Does it do what you asked?
Refine and Iterate: It’s unlikely the first try will be perfect or complete. This is where the iterative refinement comes in.
If the code has issues, tell the AI what happened. You can even copy and paste error messages and ask the AI to help debug them.
If you want to add more features or change the look, give the AI new instructions. For example, “Make the background color blue” or “Don’t add empty tasks to the list”.
Continue this cycle – describe, generate, test, refine – until your project meets your vision.
You are guiding the process, describing the next piece of functionality or requesting corrections, while the AI handles the code writing.
Tips for Successful Vibe Coding
To make the most of this approach, keep these tips in mind:
Start Simple: Don’t try to build a massive application all at once. Break your idea into small, manageable features and tackle them one by one.
Be Specific: The clearer and more detailed your prompts, the better the AI’s output will be.
Test Frequently: Every time you add a new piece of functionality, test it immediately. This makes it easier to find and fix issues.
Learn from the AI: Pay attention to the code the AI generates. You can ask it to explain parts you don’t understand, turning the AI into a tutor.
Save Your Work: Use your tool’s saving features or version control if available. This lets you go back if a change breaks something.
Be Patient: Vibe coding is interactive and requires iteration. Your first prompt won’t build the whole app. Embrace the back-and-forth.
Important Considerations: It’s Not Magic
While vibe coding is powerful, it’s essential to understand its limitations, especially for beginners. AI is astonishingly good at getting you about 70% of the way there, generating boilerplate and routine functions. However, the last 30% – handling edge cases, complex logic, testing, and ensuring quality – often still requires human judgment.
AI-generated code can contain errors, bugs, and logical flaws. It works by pattern matching, not true reasoning.
It might not always follow best security practices unless you specifically instruct it. Studies have found AI-generated code can have vulnerabilities.
The AI doesn’t inherently understand the “big picture” of your project or your full intent unless you communicate it clearly.
For anything beyond a simple prototype or “throwaway weekend project,” considering a review by an experienced human developer is wise to ensure quality, performance, and security. Treat the AI’s output like the contribution of a junior developer – it needs careful testing and oversight.
Start Vibing!
Vibe coding opens up incredible possibilities for anyone with an idea. By focusing on describing your vision and iteratively guiding the AI, you can bring projects to life that might have seemed impossible before. While AI handles the routine coding, your creativity, testing, and guidance remain essential to turn raw output into something truly valuable. Choose a beginner-friendly tool, start small, be specific in your prompts, and embrace the iterative process. Happy vibing!
