Vibe coding: what it is, and how to do it like a pro

Everyone talks about "vibe coding", few actually define it. Here's a clear explanation — and, more importantly, the difference between having fun generating code and turning it into a real product online.

What is vibe coding, exactly?

It's coding "by feel": you describe what you want in plain language to an AI (Claude Code, Cursor…), and it writes the code for you. You drive the intent, the AI handles the mechanics. The term blew up in 2025; the core idea: you stop typing every line and start directing.

It changes who gets to build: an idea in the morning, a running app by the evening. But "running" hides a trap.

Why it works… until it breaks

As a prototype, it's magic. The trouble shows up when you ship: "works on my machine" is not "it's in production". Generated code very often ignores:

• security (injections, secrets in plain text, access control),
• edge cases (empty inputs, network errors, duplicates),
• server config (environment variables, build, HTTPS),
• scale.

That's where most vibecoded projects die: gorgeous locally, unable to survive online.

Vibecoding like a pro: 6 habits

1. Read the diff. The AI is fast; you stay responsible for what gets merged. No line you haven't understood.
2. Demand tests. Ask the AI to write the tests and run them. An AI that "sees" its tests fail fixes itself.
3. Frame the context. Give it your conventions, constraints, the files involved. Vague prompt = generic code; sharp frame = correct code.
4. Small iterations. One clear task at a time beats the giant catch-all prompt every time.
5. Think "production" from day one. Secrets out of the code, environment variables, a reproducible build, a real deployment. Local comfort doesn't pay the bills.
6. Code for the you of six months from now. Generating 1,000 lines in three minutes is a rush; debugging them six months later — when the AI has lost the context, or you've switched models — is hell. A pro writes, and has the AI write, readable, maintainable code, not just code that "works today".

The tools, briefly

• Claude Code: an agent in your terminal, excellent for multi-file tasks, refactors and autonomous debugging.
• Cursor: an AI-boosted editor, perfect for assisted editing as you go.

They complement each other: delegate a whole task on one side, polish on the other.

In short

Vibe coding isn't "coding without knowing how to code". It's directing an AI with enough craft to ship something reliable. The gap between amateur and pro isn't about generation — everyone can generate — it's about what comes after: reviewing, testing, and going live.