AI has changed how developers write software.
Instead of writing every line of code manually, many developers now describe what they want in plain English and let AI generate the implementation.
This way of working has become popularly known as vibe coding
.
Some developers see it as the future of software development, while others worry it encourages developers to rely too heavily on AI.
So, what exactly is vibe coding, and when should you use it?
Let's explore.
Definition
Vibe coding is an AI-assisted development approach where developers describe what they want to build instead of manually writing every line of code.
Rather than starting with an empty file, developers provide prompts such as:
Build a REST API for managing products with authentication and pagination.
The AI generates the initial implementation, which the developer reviews, modifies, and tests.
In simple words:
Instead of writing every line yourself, you guide AI to write the first draft of your code.
Traditional Development
Understand the problem
↓
Design the solution
↓
Write code
↓
Debug
↓
Test
↓
Deploy
The developer writes every implementation detail manually.
Understand the problem
↓
Describe it to AI
↓
AI generates code
↓
Review
↓
Test
↓
Improve
↓
Deploy
The developer focuses more on problem-solving and less on typing boilerplate code.
Imagine you want to build authentication in a Rails application.
Traditional approach
You would:
Generate models
Configure routes
Add controllers
Write validations
Implement sessions or JWT
Create tests
This might take hours.
Vibe coding approach
You ask:
Create JWT authentication for a Rails API with login, logout, refresh tokens, request specs, and proper error handling.
Within seconds, the AI generates the initial implementation.
Your job becomes reviewing, testing, and refining the code instead of writing everything from scratch.
Modern AI coding tools can:
Understand multiple files
Navigate large codebases
Generate tests
Refactor code
Explain existing code
Detect common bugs
This allows developers to move faster, especially when working on repetitive tasks.
Popular AI Coding Tools
Some of the most widely used AI coding assistants include:
Cursor
Claude Code
GitHub Copilot
Gemini Code Assist
Windsurf
These tools help developers write, refactor, and understand code more efficiently.
Benefits of Vibe Coding
Faster Development
Instead of spending time writing repetitive code, developers can focus on solving business problems.
Less Boilerplate
AI can generate:
CRUD operations
API endpoints
Tests
Configuration
Documentation
Easier Learning
Developers exploring a new language or framework can use AI to understand patterns and best practices more quickly.
Better Productivity
Many developers use AI for:
Writing tests
Explaining unfamiliar code
Refactoring methods
Generating documentation
Creating migration files
Risks of Vibe Coding
Despite its advantages, vibe coding has important limitations.
AI Can Produce Incorrect Code
AI-generated code isn't always correct.
It may:
Misuse libraries
Ignore edge cases
Introduce bugs
Generate outdated patterns
Always review the generated code.
Security Risks
AI might generate:
SQL injection vulnerabilities
Weak authentication
Insecure API implementations
Security-critical code should always be reviewed carefully.
Overengineering
Sometimes AI solves simple problems with unnecessarily complex code.
Good developers know when a simpler solution is better.
Reduced Understanding
If developers accept AI-generated code without understanding it, debugging and maintaining the application becomes much harder. When Should You Use Vibe Coding?
Vibe coding works well for:
CRUD applications
API scaffolding
Unit tests
Documentation
Refactoring
Code explanations
Repetitive development tasks
When Should You Avoid It?
Be cautious when working on:
Payment systems
Authentication
Authorization
Financial calculations
Security-sensitive features
Distributed systems
Performance-critical code
These areas require careful design, testing, and review.
Best Practices
Use AI as a collaborator Don't treat AI as a replacement for engineering judgment.
Review every generated change
Understand what the AI generated before merging it.
Write tests
AI-generated code should be validated with automated tests.
Keep prompts specific
Instead of asking:
Build an API.
Ask:
Build a Rails API using service objects, request specs, pagination, JWT authentication, and proper error handling.
Clear prompts generally produce better results.
Vibe coding is changing the software development workflow by allowing developers to express ideas in natural language and use AI to generate an initial implementation.
Used thoughtfully, it can improve productivity and reduce repetitive work.
However, AI-generated code is still software that needs to be reviewed, tested, and maintained.
The most effective developers aren't those who let AI write everything—they're the ones who know when to rely on AI and when to rely on their own expertise.
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