Dev Tools

What is Vibe Coding?

A coding approach where you describe what you want in natural language and let an AI write the code, focusing on intent rather than syntax.

Definition

Vibe coding (coined by Andrej Karpathy in 2025) describes a style of software development where the programmer describes intent in natural language and lets an AI coding tool (Cursor, Claude Code, GitHub Copilot) generate the implementation. The developer focuses on what they want, not how to write it — iterating on the AI's output through conversation rather than writing code directly. It represents a fundamental shift in the programming mental model, lowering the barrier to building software significantly.

Why it matters

Vibe coding has enabled a wave of non-engineers to build functional software. PMs ship their own prototypes. Marketers build internal dashboards. Founders launch MVPs without hiring engineers. At the same time, experienced developers who adopt vibe coding report 2–5x productivity increases on tasks like scaffolding, testing, and refactoring. The skill is not "can you write code" but "can you direct an AI to write good code and verify the output."

How it works

The vibe coding loop: (1) describe what you want to build in plain English. (2) The AI generates code. (3) Run it — either it works, or you describe what's wrong. (4) The AI fixes it. (5) Repeat. Tools like Cursor (with Composer mode) and Claude Code (terminal agent) are optimized for this loop. The key skill is learning to specify intent precisely and to critically review AI output.

Examples in practice

PM prototyping a new feature

A PM describes a new dashboard feature to Claude Code in natural language. Claude Code reads the existing codebase, writes the component, updates the routing, and adds tests — the PM reviews the diff and ships.

Marketer building a lead scoring script

A growth marketer describes the scoring logic in English to Cursor. Cursor writes a Python script that pulls from HubSpot, applies scores, and updates the CRM. Zero prior coding knowledge required.

Common questions about Vibe Coding

What is vibe coding?

Vibe coding is a development approach where you describe software behavior in natural language and let an AI tool write the code. The term was coined by Andrej Karpathy in early 2025. It is particularly powerful for prototyping, automation scripting, and building internal tools.

Can non-programmers vibe code?

Yes — and that is the point. Tools like Cursor and Claude Code are designed so that people with limited coding experience can direct AI to build working software. You need basic computer literacy, the ability to run a terminal command or open a file, and the judgment to evaluate whether the output does what you intended.

What is the best tool for vibe coding in 2026?

Cursor is the most accessible — it provides a familiar VS Code-like IDE with AI built in. Claude Code is more powerful for multi-file, multi-step tasks and is preferred by engineers who want maximum autonomy. Both are covered in dedicated courses at The AI Internship.