Programming is evolving, and vibe coding is the latest trend shaking up the tech world. Forget memorising syntax or debugging endless lines of code. Vibe coding lets you describe what you want in plain language, while AI does the heavy lifting. Sounds magical, right? But like any tool, it has its strengths and weaknesses.
I used to hate being told to “learn to code.” I was defensive of the skills I already had. At the same time, I was afraid in that small, sneaky way that makes you avoid things that might reveal an uncomfortable truth. What if I couldn’t hack it—literally or figuratively? What if I wasn’t wired for this kind of thinking?
For a long time, the way I dealt with this was simple: I ignored it. I stuck to what I was good at. I worked with my engineers, but I never wanted to be one. And I certainly didn’t want to hear, yet again, that learning to code was some kind of universal career insurance policy.
I’m an Honors Design graduate with 25 years in the design industry with multiple SAAS product builds and launches. It is hard to find anything that is not touched by code, so understanding how the lifeblood of our world works is no easy task. How dangerous is a little knowledge and an ego?
Now that I’ve spent some time playing around with AI tools, though, I can’t believe I’m saying this: I kind of wish I knew how to code. Ai has given us access to the oceans of code, complete with whirlpools and currents of errors, workarounds and complex systems within systems. Are you reaching for the USB plug in the back of your neck? Just chill with the vibe for a moment.
So, What Is Vibe Coding?
Vibe coding is an AI-assisted programming approach where you describe your goals, and the AI generates the code for you. Coined by Andrej Karpathy in 2025, it’s all about trusting AI to handle the technical details. For example, you might say, “Add padding to this sidebar,” and the AI will write the necessary code. It’s simple, conversational, and accessible, even for non-coders.But here’s the catch: vibe coding often means accepting code without fully understanding what you are doing. This can lead to issues if something goes wrong or if the AI generates inefficient solutions. It also raises the heat on the dilemma of most startup ideas,
“build it or buy it.” DIY and forge ahead with an MVP to snag more funding or invest everything into engineering?The Do’s ✅ of Vibe Coding
✅ Focus on Outcomes
Be clear about what you want to achieve. Instead of micromanaging how a feature works, describe its purpose. For example: “Create a dashboard showing user activity trends” or “Style all buttons with a modern look.”✅ Test Thoroughly
Always run tests on AI-generated code. Bugs can creep in, and it’s your job to ensure everything works as intended.✅ Use It for Prototyping
Vibe coding is excellent for quickly building prototypes or MVPs (Minimum Viable Products). It speeds up development when time is critical.✅ Learn from the AI
Use vibe coding as a learning tool. Review the generated code to understand how it works, even if you didn’t write it yourself.✅ Keep Security in Mind
AI can generate insecure code if left unchecked. Always review sensitive areas like authentication or data handling for vulnerabilities.The Don’ts ❌ of Vibe Coding
❌ Don’t Ignore Code Quality
Just because AI wrote it doesn’t mean it’s perfect. Poorly optimised code can slow down your application or introduce bugs.❌ Don’t Rely on It Completely
Vibe coding is not a replacement for traditional programming skills. Complex problems may still require manual intervention.❌ Don’t Skip Documentation
If you didn’t write the code, document its purpose and functionality for future reference.❌ Don’t Use It Blindly in Production
Avoid deploying vibe-coded solutions without rigorous testing and review, especially for critical systems.❌ Don’t Assume AI Knows Everything
AI tools are powerful but not infallible. They can misunderstand your instructions or fail to account for edge cases.Real-Life Example
Imagine you’re building a social media analytics tool. Instead of writing SQL queries manually, you tell an AI assistant: “Generate a report showing user engagement metrics by the platform over the last month.” The AI creates the query and integrates it into your app in minutes. You tweak it slightly to match your needs, saving hours of work. But what if the query doesn’t account for time zone differences? Without reviewing it carefully, you might deliver inaccurate data to your users.Is Vibe Coding Right for You?
Ask yourself: Do you want to save time on repetitive tasks? Are you comfortable reviewing and testing AI-generated code? Do you see value in focusing on high-level design over syntax? If yes, vibe coding could transform how you work.A Final Thought
How do you stay ahead of all the innovation, shiny new AI gadgets, and amazing ideas? Here’s what we do. Yes, a day is never enough, but it’s enough to make a start.
The Think Day: a day per month when everybody at Design Post takes time off from their regular job tasks to explore ideas that don’t fit neatly into their daily work. One of my most recent Think Day assignments was trying an AI tool I’d never used.
Are you ready to embrace the vibes?
