Let’s skip the fluff. If you’re here, you’ve probably heard the term vibe coding floating around in dev circles or on X, and you’re wondering—what is it really? It’s not a passing trend. It’s a new way of building software that’s already being used by some of the leanest, fastest-growing startups out there. I’ve used it myself—heavily—and it’s transformed my workflow.
But vibe coding isn’t magic. It’s a combination of good tooling, smart workflows, and a shift in how we think about code. Let me break it down for you.
So, What Is Vibe Coding?
Vibe coding is the act of building software by describing what you want in plain English—and letting AI handle the code. Imagine this: instead of writing HTML, React components, or backend logic manually, you just say what you need. Tools like V0, Windsurf, ChatGPT, and Cursor interpret your intent and write the actual code.
The term was popularized by Andrej Karpathy (ex-Tesla, co-founder of OpenAI), who put it like this: “Give into the vibes, embrace exponentials, and forget that the code even exists.”
It’s about trusting AI to build the scaffolding and logic so you can focus on the problem you’re solving—not the syntax.
My Personal Workflow: How I Use Vibe Coding
Let me show you how this works in the real world—my world. This is how I go from a blank slate to a functional application, often in a single afternoon.
Step 1: UI with V0
I start almost every project with V0. It’s an AI-powered UI builder that skips Figma entirely. I describe the interface I need, and it generates polished, responsive UI built in React + Tailwind. That alone saves me hours per screen.
Example prompt: “Create a SaaS dashboard with a sidebar, charts, and user avatar in the header.”
Step 2: Backend with Windsurf (Codeium)
Once the front end is set, I move to Windsurf. This is where things get serious—backend logic, APIs, databases. I prompt Windsurf to scaffold the auth system, database schema, and CRUD logic, and then review what it gives me. No boilerplate. No wasted time.
The Bonus: No Figma
Since I do both design and code, Figma became an unnecessary step for initial builds. With V0, I go straight from prompt to live UI. No static mocks. No handoff. Just production code. That’s the beauty of vibe coding—it bends to your strengths.
Why Vibe Coding Is Taking Off
Let’s get into the benefits—and why this isn’t going away.
Unmatched Speed
You can build a working MVP in hours. Skip the wireframes. Skip the setup. Just describe what you need and start iterating.
Accessible to Non-Devs
Vibe coding lets founders and designers build real products—even if they don’t know JavaScript from Java.
Massive Efficiency
AI handles the repetitive stuff. You focus on high-level thinking. It’s like going from manual labor to directing a team of clones.
Cleaner Dev Cycles
Because you build in code (not prototypes), your feedback loop shrinks dramatically. Build, test, tweak—live.
Code Breakdown: Traditional vs. Vibe Coding
Let’s compare building a basic login form. The difference isn't just the code; it's the level of abstraction and the completeness of the output.
Traditional Code (React)
function LoginForm() {
const [email, setEmail] = useState('');
const [password, setPassword] = useState('');
const handleSubmit = async () => {
await fetch('/api/login', {
method: 'POST',
body: JSON.stringify({ email, password }),
});
};
return (
<form onSubmit={handleSubmit}>
<input onChange={e => setEmail(e.target.value)} />
<input type="password" onChange={e => setPassword(e.target.value)} />
<button type="submit">Login</button>
</form>
);
}Vibe Coding Prompt
“Create a responsive login form with email and password fields, inline validation, and a loading spinner on submit.”
Result: The AI generates a complete, production-ready component that includes not just the form, but also state management, client-side validation, error handling, accessibility attributes, and UX niceties—all ready to ship.
When Vibe Coding Works (And When It Doesn’t)
Here’s how to know if this is a good fit for you:
✅ Use It For:
Rapid Prototyping & MVPs: Go from idea to a testable product in record time.
Standard Components: Dashboards, forms, landing pages, and CRUD apps.
Solo Builders & Small Teams: Maximize output when you wear multiple hats.
Frontend Development: Especially powerful for UI and component generation.
⚠️ Be Cautious With:
Highly Novel Algorithms: AI is better at combining known patterns than inventing new ones.
Deep System Optimizations: For performance-critical code, human oversight is key.
Large, Legacy Codebases: Integration can be complex and require careful management.
Security-Critical Logic: Always have a human review auth, payments, and data handling.
What To Watch Out For
1. You Stop Reading the Code
Trusting AI blindly is risky. Always review what you ship. Use it as a hyper-competent junior dev, not an infallible oracle.
2. Security Gaps
AI doesn’t always know what secure code looks like. Especially for auth or payments, you are the final line of defense.
3. Vendor Lock-In
If your whole stack depends on one tool, and it dies—you’re in trouble. Best defense? Use AI tools like assistants, not crutches.
The Future of Vibe Coding
Here’s what’s next: Prompt-driven Dev Environments, AI-native Frameworks, and Real-time Collaboration. Think of it like this: just as cloud computing made servers invisible, vibe coding is making code invisible.
A Quick Note on Figma
Before we wrap up, let’s be clear—Figma is still a valuable tool. It’s unmatched when it comes to collaborative design, design systems, and cross-team workflows. If you’re working in a big team, Figma is indispensable.
What we’re saying here isn’t “ditch Figma.” It’s: if you wear multiple hats—design and dev—vibe coding can let you skip a few steps when it makes sense. For solo builders, small teams, or rapid prototyping, vibe coding fills that “idea to output” gap faster than traditional tooling. It’s an option, not a replacement. And for a lot of us, it’s a more fluid way to work.
Final Thoughts
Vibe coding isn’t replacing developers. It’s replacing the waste in development—the meetings, the handoffs, the boilerplate. If you’re a builder, especially one who understands design and code, this is your time. You don’t need to wait for the next sprint. You can ship something meaningful today.
Start with a prompt. Build a screen. Add logic. Ship. Iterate. And if you’re wondering if you’re “qualified” to try vibe coding—don’t. Just try it.
Ready to stop typing and start building?
The best way to understand vibe coding is to experience it. Try V0 for free and see how fast you can bring your ideas to life.
