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Guide

What is Vibe Coding?

The short version: vibe coding is building software with an AI assistant as a first-class teammate. You describe the outcome, the AI drafts changes, and you review like a PR—fast, small, and safe.

The idea, in one minute

  • Describe → Propose → Review → Apply. You state the goal, the AI proposes edits, you approve or nudge, then ship.
  • Repo-aware by default. Good assistants read your codebase to ground answers—less “generic example,” more “your actual files.”
  • Small steps win. Prefer tiny, testable changes over giant rewrites. You keep control; the AI does the busywork.

The core loop

  1. Set intent: “Add a health endpoint that returns ok=true.”
  2. Constrain: “Keep TypeScript strict. Touch only /app/api.”
  3. Review: skim proposed edits like a pull request.
  4. Test: run locally; keep changes small if anything feels off.
  5. Repeat: stack tiny wins into features.

A tiny example

Prompt your assistant: “Create /app/api/health/route.ts that returns { ok: true }. Keep it in Next.js App Router style.”

// app/api/health/route.ts
import { NextResponse } from "next/server";
export async function GET() {
  return NextResponse.json({ ok: true });
}

You approve the proposed file, run npm run dev, then visit /api/health. Small, verified, shipped.

Great for

  • Scaffolding routes, components, and tests
  • Refactors with clear constraints
  • Docs, types, and boring boilerplate

Use caution with

  • Security-sensitive code you can’t review deeply
  • Mass edits without tests
  • Areas with unclear ownership or style

Get started in 10 minutes

  1. Install an AI-native IDE or assistant. Our picks:

    Cursor IDE

    Top pick

    Diff-first loop for rapid edits

    Get Started

    GitHub Copilot

    Great defaults; wide editor support

    Get Started

    Replit

    Zero-install coding, share instantly

    Get Started
  2. Create a tiny task list (3–5 items). Keep each change under ~30 lines.
  3. Prompt with intent + constraints. Ask for a plan before code.
  4. Review edits like PRs; run tests after each step.

New to a term? Check the glossary for quick definitions.

Simple guardrails

  • Prefer small diffs; revert fast if something feels wrong.
  • Ask for explanations and test updates with every change.
  • Keep secrets out of prompts; never paste credentials.
  • Commit often; label AI-assisted commits clearly.

FAQ

Is vibe coding only for greenfield projects?

No—it's great for legacy cleanup. Start in small, low-risk areas and keep a tight review loop.

How do I keep quality high?

Constrain prompts, request tests, review diffs like PRs, and ship in increments.

Which tool should I start with?

Pick one that fits your editor and workflow. See Best AI Coding Assistants for a ranked list with trade-offs.

Next steps