Vibe Coding: AI-Assisted Coding for Non-Developers

By Niall McNulty

What is Vibe Coding?

Vibe coding is an emerging trend in software development that leverages AI to handle most of the coding while users guide the process through natural language. Originally coined by AI expert Andrej Karpathy, the term describes a shift where programmers — and even non-developers — can create software by simply describing what they want.

Instead of manually writing every line of code, you communicate the “vibe” of the project to an AI assistant, and it generates functional code for you. This approach is revolutionizing software creation, making it more accessible to people who lack traditional coding expertise.

How Does Vibe Coding Work?

Vibe coding relies on AI-powered tools that understand natural language prompts and convert them into executable code. The process is iterative and interactive:

1. Describe Your Idea — Users input a natural language prompt, such as, “Create a web page that displays weather updates.”
2. AI Generates Code — The AI produces the necessary HTML, CSS, and JavaScript based on the given description.
3. Refine and Iterate — Users review the output, suggest modifications, and the AI refines the code accordingly.
4. Test and Deploy — Once satisfied, users can finalize and implement their project with minimal manual coding.

AI coding assistants not only generate code but also debug errors. Simply pasting an error message into an AI chat can lead to a quick resolution without needing deep programming knowledge.

Why Vibe Coding is a Game-Changer

• Lower Barrier to Entry: Anyone with an idea can now build functional software, reducing the need for extensive programming knowledge.
• Faster Development: AI-assisted coding speeds up prototyping, turning concepts into working software in hours instead of weeks.
• Efficiency for Developers: Even experienced coders use vibe coding to automate repetitive tasks, allowing them to focus on complex problem-solving.
• Conversational Programming: Instead of memorizing syntax, users “chat” with AI to create software, making coding more intuitive and creative.

Real-World Applications

One enthusiast used vibe coding to create a DIY drawing robot app — an idea they had for over a year but couldn’t implement due to coding barriers. Within a few hours, AI-assisted development brought the project to life. Another example is an AI-generated React app that translated restaurant menus just from a high-level description.

Tools for Vibe Coding

Several platforms are making vibe coding accessible:

• Cursor — An AI-powered code editor that integrates directly into Visual Studio Code, allowing users to write, modify, and debug code using natural language.
• GitHub Copilot — A widely used AI assistant that generates entire functions or even complete program structures based on English-language prompts.
• Claude (by Anthropic) — A conversational AI tool that helps developers refine and iterate on coding projects.

The Future of Coding

With AI increasingly handling the heavy lifting, the future of programming is shifting toward idea-driven development. Experts predict that by the end of 2025, AI-powered coding will redefine software engineering as we know it.

Vibe coding isn’t just a shortcut — it’s a transformation. Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned developer, AI-assisted coding opens new possibilities for faster, more intuitive, and creative software development.

What do you think about vibe coding? Would you use AI to help you code? Let’s discuss in the comments!