Why Vibe Coding Is Important

The New No Code but with AI

Have you heard of “vibe coding”? The term had no meaning just a month ago, but now it's almost a mainstream trend among AI creators. There are dozens of threads on X, discussions on YC podcasts, and projects that are generating tangible revenue.

So, let's get to the bottom of it.

In today’s issue:

• What is Vibe Coding

• How the New Approach Affects Software Development

• Real-Life Cases (including one which makes $52k/mo)

• Quick Tutorial on How to Become Vibe Coder

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What Is “Vibe Coding”?

The starting point for “vibe coding” was a post by Andrej Karpathy, co-founder and former research scientist at OpenAI. In early February, he shared his thoughts on a new approach to coding with LLMs. Karpathy described it as a process where developers “fully give in to the vibes, embrace exponentials, and forget that the code even exists.”

Since then, it has gained traction, especially among hobbyists and creators looking to bring ideas to life quickly. Here's that post:

This isn't the first time Karpathy has promoted abandoning the usual approach to development. In January 2023, he stated, “The hottest new programming language is English.”

Vibe coding works through a simple process:

1. You describe what you want the software to do in everyday language.

2. AI tools interpret this description and generate the corresponding code.

3. You can refine your instructions through further natural language commands, and the AI updates the code accordingly.

And the simpler, the better.

The main thing in this case is to feel the vibe and just build what you like. Although it sounds just fun, this methodology is more profound than it may seem.

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How Vibe Coding Affects Software Development

In the latest episode of the Light Cone podcast, hosts Gary, Jared, and Diana, partners at YC, delved into the vibe coding.

The discussion highlighted the definitions of engineering roles, the impact of AI on coding practices, the necessity of human oversight, and how this new culture is reshaping hiring practices and expectations within the industry.

Here are the key points that I found most meaningful:

• The Shift from Code Writing to Conceptualization: Founders are less attached to their code. It allows them to make decisions to scrap or rewrite code based on new insights or user feedback. This reflects a cultural change in development where iterating on ideas is prioritized over the sanctity of the original code.

• AI’s Dominance in Code Creation: 25% of founders reported over 95% of their codebase being AI-generated illustrates a shift in how software is developed. This trend indicates that many startups are leveraging AI tools to such an extent that traditional coding practices may soon become obsolete for many projects.

• Emerging Tool Ecosystem: The presenters consider platforms like Cursor and Wind Surf the most prominent. With each release of a new AI model or platform for non-technical users, app development is increasingly democratizing. So, you don't need big teams to develop good products anymore.

• Prioritizing User Experience Over Technical Purity: Vibe coding emphasizes delivering software that resonates with users emotionally and practically, even if the underlying code isn’t textbook-elegant. This marks a departure from the old-school obsession with optimized, pristine codebases, as developers lean into AI’s ability to churn out functional solutions.

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Real-Life Examples of Vibe Coding

Vibe coding is not constrained by strict boundaries. Therefore, the type of project and the tools used can be completely different.

Web Site in Five Minutes with V0

A creator under the nickname KlausCodes decided to once again show that frontend coders should worry about their profession (it's something of a tradition in AI development). He used V0 to build a website in five minutes.

This time included both development and deployment.

See the result below.

Chrome Extension with Cursor AI

The second case seems a bit more complicated. Ian Nuttall used a Chrome extension to copy links from text, but it was removed from the store, so the creator had to create his own solution. For this he used Cursor AI.

During development, the creator didn't even look at exactly what the AI was doing.

You can watch the video here.

Vibe Coding That Makes $52k/mo

And lastly, an impressive case from Levelsio (by the way, we have a post dedicated to this creator. The guy is an absolute beast). He built a simple multiplayer 3D flight game in 3 hours using Cursor AI & Claude 3.7 Sonnet, and then turned it into $52,000 in revenue.

In a few weeks, it became a Twitter sensation. Now, Pieter continues to refine the game, monetize it with advertising, and share new stages of development on X.

This project inspired many other users to create their games with Vibe Coding.

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How to Become a Vibe Coder: Tools & Tips

Although vibe coding implies simplicity and comfort, it would be better to learn a few important points beforehand.

Then the process will be not only pleasant, but also productive.

AI for Vibe Coding