Vibe Coding Explained in Simple Words

Vibe coding is a new way of writing software with the help of AI. Instead of writing every line of code by hand, a developer works together with an AI coding tool. The developer explains what they want, and the AI suggests code changes. The developer then decides whether to accept, reject, or change those suggestions.

This style of coding is fast, flexible, and creative. It is especially useful when building demos, trying new ideas, or learning how a codebase works. However, it can also cause problems if used carelessly, especially when building real products meant for production.

This article explains vibe coding in very simple terms. It covers what vibe coding is, when it works well, when it does not, and how to make it safer and more reliable.

What Is Vibe Coding?

Vibe coding means writing code by following the “flow” instead of a strict plan.

In vibe coding:

• You describe what you want in plain language

• An AI tool writes code for you

• You quickly test it

• You fix problems as they appear

• You repeat this process until things work

Sometimes, developers using vibe coding do not read every line of generated code carefully. They focus more on whether the program works than on how every detail is written.

This approach feels fast and exciting. You can see results very quickly, which is why it is popular for experiments and demos.

How Vibe Coding Works in Practice

Most vibe coding happens inside a code editor like VS Code or IntelliJ.

Here is a simple example:

1. You open a project in your editor

2. An AI coding tool is running inside the editor

3. You type a request like: “Create a Java banking API with these features”

4. The AI looks at your project and suggests new files or changes

5. You approve or reject the changes

6. You run the code

7. If it fails, you ask the AI to fix it

8. After a few tries, the program works

This back-and-forth loop is the heart of vibe coding.

Why Vibe Coding Is Popular

Vibe coding is popular because it saves time and reduces effort. Some common benefits include:

• Fast setup of new projects

• Easy creation of demo applications

• Quick answers to questions about a codebase

• Faster scripting and automation

• Less typing for repetitive tasks

For example, building a simple app, command-line tool, or user interface can be much faster with vibe coding than with traditional coding.

Where Vibe Coding Works Best

Vibe coding works best in situations where speed matters more than perfection.

Good use cases include:

• Demo applications

• Prototypes

• Learning new frameworks

• Exploring unfamiliar code

• Writing small scripts

• Trying out ideas quickly

In these cases, small mistakes are acceptable, and the goal is learning or speed rather than long-term maintenance.

When Vibe Coding Can Be Risky

Vibe coding is not always a good idea. It can be risky when:

• Handling API keys or secrets

• Writing security-sensitive code

• Building production systems

• Skipping tests and reviews

• Ignoring documentation

AI tools can make mistakes. They can invent code that looks correct but is wrong. This is often called hallucination. If you blindly trust the output, bugs and security problems can enter your code. Also, vibe coding often skips steps like testing, code reviews, and documentation. These steps are important for real-world software.

The Main Problem With Vibe Coding

The biggest problem with vibe coding is understanding the code. Sometimes, reviewing AI-generated code takes longer than writing the code yourself. If you do not understand what the AI wrote, you may not notice bugs, performance issues, or security risks. This is why vibe coding needs structure when used seriously.

How to Be a Better Vibe Coder

Vibe coding becomes much safer when combined with good development practices.

1. Design Before Coding

Before writing code, think about how the application should work.

Ask questions like:

• What does this app do?

• What are the main features?

• What inputs and outputs exist?

This planning helps guide the AI and reduces mistakes.

2. Use Test-Driven Development

Test-driven development means writing tests before writing the code.

With AI:

• You ask the AI to generate tests first

• Tests describe what the code should do

• The AI then writes code that passes those tests

This approach gives clear rules for success. If tests pass, the code is likely correct.

3. Use Spec-Driven Development

Spec-driven development means giving the AI a clear checklist.

A spec might include:

• Required endpoints

• Expected responses

• Error handling rules

As features are completed, they are checked off. This keeps development organized and focused.

4. Let the AI Use Tools

Modern coding agents can:

• Read documentation

• Use updated libraries

• Run tests

• Check dependencies

Allowing the AI to use tools helps keep the code current and reduces manual work.

5. Use Version Control

Using Git or another version control system is critical.

Version control lets you:

• Track changes

• Undo mistakes

• Compare versions

• Experiment safely

When vibe coding, frequent commits make it easy to recover if the AI generates bad changes.

Reviewing AI-Generated Code

Reviewing is one of the most important steps.

Key checks include:

• Code formatting and linting

• Type checks

• Dependency security scans

• Secret detection

• Vulnerability scanning

Sometimes, using a second AI agent to review the code is helpful. One agent writes the code, another reviews it from a fresh perspective.

Understanding Security Risks

AI-generated code can include:

• Hard-coded secrets

• Insecure dependencies

• Weak authentication

• Unsafe defaults

Always scan dependencies and inspect how data flows through the system. Never assume the AI handled security correctly.

Why Most Coding Agents Are Improving

Many modern coding tools already:

• Learn your project structure

• Understand your libraries

• Follow your coding style

• Apply your best practices

They often include this information in their internal instructions, which improves results over time.

Final Thoughts on Vibe Coding

Vibe coding is powerful. It makes development faster, easier, and more creative. It lowers the barrier to building software and helps developers explore ideas quickly.

But speed without care leads to problems.

Used alone, vibe coding can produce messy, unsafe code. Used with planning, tests, reviews, and version control, it becomes a strong tool rather than a risk.

Vibe coding works best when creativity is balanced with responsibility.