My first attempt at ‘vibe coding’ felt like handing over the steering wheel to a robot that played jazz; sometimes it hit the high notes, sometimes it drove into a cactus. If the term sounds made-up, you’re right, it kind of is! Andrej Karpathy, yes, the co-founder of OpenAI, coined 'vibe coding' on X in 2025 to capture this new wild-west style of building software with AI tools. In the spirit of saving you from my thousands of hours of YouTube rabbit holes (and at least three existential crises), I’m distilling the nitty-gritty of vibe coding, what it is, how it works, and exactly how not to burn your pizza, so to speak, when letting an AI run your kitchen.
What is Vibe Coding (and Why Karpathy’s Jazz Analogy Isn’t Far Off)
If you’ve ever wished you could just describe your app idea and have the code appear, you’re already thinking in the spirit of vibe coding. But what is vibe coding, really? The term was coined by Andrej Karpathy, a leading figure in AI and a founding member of OpenAI, on February 3, 2025, in a post on X. He captured the essence of this new approach by saying:
"There's a new kind of coding I call vibe coding where you fully give into the vibes. Embrace exponentials and forget that the code even exists." – Andrej Karpathy
Vibe coding is all about letting AI coding tools, especially large language models, to handle the repetitive, technical parts of development. Instead of writing every line yourself, you focus on your vision and communicate your goals in plain language. The AI then generates, iterates, and even debugs code for you. It’s a bit like jazz improvisation: you set the theme, and the AI riffs on your ideas, sometimes surprising you with creative solutions.
Karpathy’s jazz analogy isn’t far off. In vibe coding, you prompt, review, and guide, but you don’t sweat every detail. You can use tools like Cursor Composer or Replit Windsurf to bring your ideas to life. These platforms let you interact with AI models through text or even voice input programming. Think of using Whisper or Composer to speak your requirements out loud and watch the code materialize.
Research shows that vibe coding is transforming how we build software. The process is accessible to beginners and pros alike because you don’t need to master every framework or memorize syntax. Instead, you use natural language prompts. Rhe new secret sauce of AI development. For example, you might say, “Build a React app that lets users log their daily moods with emojis and notes.” The AI takes it from there, generating the structure and logic, while you steer the direction.
But vibe coding isn’t just about convenience. It’s about shifting your mindset from manual code wrangling to flexible problem-solving and high-level vision. The AI becomes your collaborator, not just a tool. As Karpathy emphasized, you “embrace exponentials”. Meaning you leverage the rapid progress of AI to build faster and more creatively than ever before.
Some standout AI coding tools for vibe coding include:
Cursor Composer: Known for its seamless integration with large language models and support for natural language and voice input.
Replit Windsurf: Offers a cloud-based environment where you can build, test, and deploy apps with AI assistance.
Other platforms like GitHub Copilot and ChatGPT also support vibe coding workflows.
What makes vibe coding unique is its focus on iteration and communication. You don’t need to get everything right on the first try. Instead, you prompt, review, and refine, letting the AI handle the heavy lifting while you guide the process with intent and vision. This approach aligns closely with agile development, where experimentation and rapid prototyping are key.
Ultimately, vibe coding flips the script on traditional development. With tools like Cursor Composer, Replit, and powerful large language models, anyone can turn ideas into working code, sometimes just by speaking them out loud. That’s the real magic behind vibe coding, and why Karpathy’s jazz analogy resonates so well.
The Mighty Fundamentals: How to Stop the AI from Burning Your Pizza
Let’s be honest, AI-powered development can feel like magic, but it’s not. The core of Vibe Coding Fundamentals is this: AI follows your instructions. If you want great results, you need to be clear, structured, and ready to iterate. That’s where the five pillars from Vibe Coding 101 come in: thinking, frameworks, checkpoints, debugging, and context. These Vibe Coding Principles are your recipe for success, so your “pizza” doesn’t end up burnt by the AI.
Thinking: Four Levels to Guide the AI
Start with a detailed Product Requirements Document (PRD). This isn’t just busywork—it’s your roadmap. I break thinking into four levels:
Logical: What do you want to build? Define your vision.
Analytical: How will you build it? Outline the steps and tech needed.
Computational: How does the logic translate into code? Think about data flow and structure.
Procedural: How can you optimize or improve the process?
Research shows that clear requirements and contextual prompts dramatically improve results. As I always say:
"The clearer your vision is and the clearer the PRD is and the better results you will get from the AI."
Don’t skip this step. A solid PRD prevents those dreaded mid-project “oops” moments.
Frameworks: Learn and Guide, Even If You’re Unsure
Frameworks are the backbone of AI-Powered Development. Even if you don’t know the best coding solution, like React, 3.js, or Tailwind, ask the AI for suggestions. Let it teach you. For example, if you want drag-and-drop in React, just prompt the AI. This approach not only helps you learn but also ensures the generated code fits your needs.
Checkpoints & Version Control: Your Lifesaver
Things break. That’s a fact. Version Control is your insurance policy. I’ve lost work before, trust me, it stings. Use Git or built-in tools like Replit’s versioning. You don’t need to memorize every command; just know the basics and direct the AI with Natural Language Prompts like “push this to GitHub.” Studies indicate that version control remains vital, even for code written by AI.
Debugging Techniques: Embrace the Loop
Debugging is inevitable. Be methodical. When errors pop up, copy the message and ask the AI for help. Sometimes, you’ll loop through error → fix → error. That’s normal. The more you understand your codebase, file structure, UI components, flow, the easier it gets. Debugging isn’t just about fixing; it’s about learning and iterating.
Context: The Secret Ingredient
Context is king. The richer your instructions, examples, and data, the better the AI’s output. Provide screenshots, mockups, and detailed prompts. The more context, the less likely your “pizza” will get burned. This is especially true in Iterative Development, where each cycle builds on the last.
Thinking (four levels)
Frameworks
Checkpoints
Debugging
Context
Remember: Don’t be afraid to iterate. Minimize perfectionism, maximize learning. That’s the real secret to vibe coding.
Wildcards, Wobbles, and a Dash of Trust: Real-World Vibe Coding Advice
Let’s be honest: nobody starts out perfect in coding, and that’s doubly true with Effective Vibe Coding. I’ve spent countless hours, sometimes joyfully, sometimes in frustration, learning that mistakes are not just inevitable, but essential. In fact, embracing those wildcards and wobbles is where the real learning happens. Research shows that the process of making, spotting, and fixing mistakes is what accelerates your growth as a developer. Sometimes, a code bug is just a new feature waiting to be discovered, or at least, that’s what I tell myself when things go sideways.
One of the most liberating aspects of vibe coding is the way it transforms the relationship between you and your AI Coding Tools. Instead of treating the AI as a code monkey, I encourage you to see it as a collaborator. Don’t just accept what the AI gives you, ask questions! For example, if you’re using Composer or Replit, try asking why it built something a certain way. This not only helps you understand the logic, but also sharpens your own thinking. The back-and-forth can feel a bit like a dance: sometimes you lead, sometimes the AI takes the spotlight. Debugging, in particular, becomes a shared journey. As I often remind myself,
"Whatever it is that you're building is going to go wrong. It's just a matter of when…but do not underestimate the art of debugging."
If you’re just starting out, my biggest advice is to aim small first. Build a Minimal Viable Product, something basic that works. This approach, rooted in Iterative Development, lets you get feedback quickly, spot issues early, and gradually add features. It’s agile, but with more vibes. I’ve lost entire projects before because I skipped version control, and I’ve spent days untangling UI glitches that could have been solved in minutes if I’d started simpler. These humbling moments taught me that it’s better to iterate and refine than to chase perfection on the first try.
Another game-changer is the use of Natural Language Prompts. You can literally talk to your AI assistant, sometimes even using voice input, and describe what you want. This makes coding more accessible and creative, especially for those who think better out loud. It’s not about memorizing every command or syntax rule; it’s about communicating your vision clearly and letting the AI handle the heavy lifting.
Of course, there will be setbacks. Maybe you’ll lose a day’s work to a version control mishap, or your UI will overlap in ways you never imagined. But these disappointments are where the magic happens. Each mistake is a lesson, each fix a step forward. The key is to trust the process, keep iterating, and remember that vibe coding is as much about the journey as the destination.
So, whether you’re building your first app or refining your workflow, let yourself wobble. Let your AI assistant surprise you. And above all, keep catching the vibe, one wild, imperfect step at a time.
