Vibe Coding Playbook
Vibe Coding Playbook
You can now build software without knowing how to write code.
You can now build software without knowing how to write code.
This playbook is a beginner’s guide to vibe coding — a new way to build software by working alongside an AI assistant. It introduces the core mindset, outlines the most popular tools, and walks through how to start building from a simple idea.
This playbook is a beginner’s guide to vibe coding — a new way to build software by working alongside an AI assistant. It introduces the core mindset, outlines the most popular tools, and walks through how to start building from a simple idea.
What is vibe coding?
What is vibe coding?
Vibe coding is a new way of working with AI to bring your ideas to life. You describe what you want, the AI writes the code, and you shape it through fast, repeated adjustments.
The process is more like sketching than engineering. You stay in motion by building, breaking, and refining. No need for deep coding knowledge.
All you need is a clear idea, plain language, and the patience to guide the AI one step at a time.
Vibe coding is a new way of working with AI to bring your ideas to life. You describe what you want, the AI writes the code, and you shape it through fast, repeated adjustments.
The process is more like sketching than engineering. You stay in motion by building, breaking, and refining. No need for deep coding knowledge.
All you need is a clear idea, plain language, and the patience to guide the AI one step at a time.
⚠️ Vibe coding will not magically build any type of application. It still takes patience, clear thinking, and plenty of trial and error. But it is a powerful way to learn, bring ideas to life, and launch real tools.
Many non-coders have used vibe coding to build successful businesses from scratch. And more and more developers are combining their technical skills with vibe coding to move faster and build more with smaller teams.
⚠️ Vibe coding will not magically build any type of application. It still takes patience, clear thinking, and plenty of trial and error. But it is a powerful way to learn, bring ideas to life, and launch real tools.
Many non-coders have used vibe coding to build successful businesses from scratch. And more and more developers are combining their technical skills with vibe coding to move faster and build more with smaller teams.
The tools 👨💻
The tools 👨💻
Vibe coding is not tied to a single tool. It is a way of working that combines natural language, fast feedback, and creative flow. The tools you choose shape what you can build and how much effort it takes. Some are ideal for beginners. Others give you full control but require more guidance and decision-making.
Vibe coding tools serve different needs. Some are made for quick prototyping. Others are designed for building production-ready applications with full flexibility.
Below are the main categories, ranging from browser-based tools with zero setup to full-code environments with maximum flexibility.
Vibe coding is not tied to a single tool. It is a way of working that combines natural language, fast feedback, and creative flow. The tools you choose shape what you can build and how much effort it takes. Some are ideal for beginners. Others give you full control but require more guidance and decision-making.
Vibe coding tools serve different needs. Some are made for quick prototyping. Others are designed for building production-ready applications with full flexibility.
Below are the main categories, ranging from browser-based tools with zero setup to full-code environments with maximum flexibility.
Prototyping
Visual Builders
AI-powered IDEs
Prototyping
These are built-in vibe coding features inside popular AI chat platforms like ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity. There is nothing to install and no separate sign-up required. Just open the chat and start building. Perfect for prototyping ideas, testing workflows, or exploring how AI can help you create simple apps and tools.
These are built-in vibe coding features inside popular AI chat platforms like ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity. There is nothing to install and no separate sign-up required. Just open the chat and start building. Perfect for prototyping ideas, testing workflows, or exploring how AI can help you create simple apps and tools.
Use these tools if you want to quickly prototype ideas, avoid setup, and learn the basics.
Use these tools if you want to quickly prototype ideas, avoid setup, and learn the basics.
Visual Builders
These platforms let you build full applications without knowing anything about what happens “behind the curtain”. You describe what you want, and the tool handles the backend, frontend, logic, and hosting. You give up some flexibility, but gain speed. Perfect for MVPs, internal tools, and testing business ideas.
These platforms let you build full applications without knowing anything about what happens “behind the curtain”. You describe what you want, and the tool handles the backend, frontend, logic, and hosting. You give up some flexibility, but gain speed. Perfect for MVPs, internal tools, and testing business ideas.
Use these tools if you want to build something more substantial than simple prototypes without investing too much time learning about AI coding.
Use these tools if you want to build something more substantial than simple prototypes without investing too much time learning about AI coding.
AI-powered IDEs
These tools offer the most freedom but need more guidance from you.
You are not just describing features. You are guiding the AI through each step of the build process. You choose the frameworks, manage the file structure, and define how things work. The AI assists, but you are in charge.
This gives you the freedom to build exactly what you want. You are not limited by templates or predefined flows. But you will spend more time shaping, debugging, and iterating. If you plan to deploy your app online, you will also need to handle hosting, databases, APIs, and authentication yourself.
These tools offer the most freedom but need more guidance from you.
You are not just describing features. You are guiding the AI through each step of the build process. You choose the frameworks, manage the file structure, and define how things work. The AI assists, but you are in charge.
This gives you the freedom to build exactly what you want. You are not limited by templates or predefined flows. But you will spend more time shaping, debugging, and iterating. If you plan to deploy your app online, you will also need to handle hosting, databases, APIs, and authentication yourself.
Use these tools if you want to build something more substantial than simple prototypes without investing too much time learning about AI coding.
Use these tools if you want to build something more substantial than simple prototypes without investing too much time learning about AI coding.
Voice-to-text tools
Many vibe coders prefer to speak their ideas instead of typing. Tools like SuperWhisper, Wispr Flow, and Monologue let you describe features, give prompts, or outline entire apps using your voice.
Many vibe coders prefer to speak their ideas instead of typing. Tools like SuperWhisper, Wispr Flow, and Monologue let you describe features, give prompts, or outline entire apps using your voice.
These pair well with vibe coding tools, helping you maintain flow while articulating your ideas verbally.
These pair well with vibe coding tools, helping you maintain flow while articulating your ideas verbally.
Mindset 🧠
Mindset 🧠
The mindset behind vibe coding is simple: build, break, then fix. You are not expected to inspect or understand every line of code. Instead, you try something, see what happens, and when it breaks, you ask the AI to fix it.
You describe problems in plain language. If a button does not work or a page looks off, just say so. The AI will adjust based on your instructions. The goal is not clean code or optimal architecture. The goal is to get something working now, then improve from there.
This makes vibe coding ideal for testing ideas and moving fast. It is messy by nature, and that is part of the process. You can always revisit and clean up later. In the beginning, that does not really matter. What matters is starting — getting your ideas out and learning by doing.
The mindset behind vibe coding is simple: build, break, then fix. You are not expected to inspect or understand every line of code. Instead, you try something, see what happens, and when it breaks, you ask the AI to fix it.
You describe problems in plain language. If a button does not work or a page looks off, just say so. The AI will adjust based on your instructions. The goal is not clean code or optimal architecture. The goal is to get something working now, then improve from there.
This makes vibe coding ideal for testing ideas and moving fast. It is messy by nature, and that is part of the process. You can always revisit and clean up later. In the beginning, that does not really matter. What matters is starting — getting your ideas out and learning by doing.
How to vibe code
How to vibe code
Vibe coding is all about iteration through fast feedback, clear intent, and small creative steps. You guide the process, the AI fills in the blanks. You do not need to know how to code — but you do need to know what you want.
Vibe coding is all about iteration through fast feedback, clear intent, and small creative steps. You guide the process, the AI fills in the blanks. You do not need to know how to code — but you do need to know what you want.
Start with a clear idea
Start with a clear idea
Before you open any tool, spend a few minutes writing down what you want to build.
The more specific your idea, the smoother everything else will go.
Avoid broad goals like “a finance app” or “a social platform.” Get practical. What should the user be able to do? What is the core flow?
If your idea is vague, ChatGPT is a great sparring partner.
Before you open any tool, spend a few minutes writing down what you want to build.
The more specific your idea, the smoother everything else will go.
Avoid broad goals like “a finance app” or “a social platform.” Get practical. What should the user be able to do? What is the core flow?
If your idea is vague, ChatGPT is a great sparring partner.
"I am working on an app idea and still shaping the concept. Can you help me turn the braindump below into something more concrete?"
"I am working on an app idea and still shaping the concept. Can you help me turn the braindump below into something more concrete?"
This helps you define scope and get unstuck before the coding begins.
If you can describe it clearly, the AI can build the first version. If the idea is too vague, the feedback loop can break down.
This helps you define scope and get unstuck before the coding begins.
If you can describe it clearly, the AI can build the first version. If the idea is too vague, the feedback loop can break down.
Let the AI take the first shot
Let the AI take the first shot
Once you have your idea written out, share it with the vibe coding tool you are using. Paste the description into the prompt box, chat window, or input field (depending on the tool).
The AI will generate a first version based on your input. This might be a layout, a block of code, a working page, or even a full app skeleton. Treat it as raw material.
From there, guide the AI by asking for changes:
Once you have your idea written out, share it with the vibe coding tool you are using. Paste the description into the prompt box, chat window, or input field (depending on the tool).
The AI will generate a first version based on your input. This might be a layout, a block of code, a working page, or even a full app skeleton. Treat it as raw material.
From there, guide the AI by asking for changes:
“Help me create a basic table for storing user data, including name, email, and onboarding status.”
“Help me create a basic table for storing user data, including name, email, and onboarding status.”
You do not need to know how to fix things yourself. You just need to review the result, describe what is off, and steer the next step.
The clearer your direction, the better the output.
You do not need to know how to fix things yourself. You just need to review the result, describe what is off, and steer the next step.
The clearer your direction, the better the output.
Review and refine
Review and refine
Click around. See what works. Notice what is missing.
Talk to the AI like a collaborator. Ask it to explain things. Ask it to make things nicer. Ask it to suggest features. Tell it to remove things you don't like.
The loop is simple: try something, observe, adjust.
Click around. See what works. Notice what is missing.
Talk to the AI like a collaborator. Ask it to explain things. Ask it to make things nicer. Ask it to suggest features. Tell it to remove things you don't like.
The loop is simple: try something, observe, adjust.
Stay in motion
Stay in motion
Vibe coding works best when you keep the rhythm going.
Do not wait for the perfect prompt or design. Build one part at a time. Let it evolve.
If you are stuck, ask the AI what to try next.
Vibe coding works best when you keep the rhythm going.
Do not wait for the perfect prompt or design. Build one part at a time. Let it evolve.
If you are stuck, ask the AI what to try next.
“What would make this feel more polished?” or “How can I connect this to a database?”
“What would make this feel more polished?” or “How can I connect this to a database?”
Keep iterating and moving forward.
Keep iterating and moving forward.
Share and get feedback
Share and get feedback
Once you are happy with the first version, ask how to get it online.
Some tools handle this for you with one click. Others require a few setup steps. The AI can walk you through it.
Once you are happy with the first version, ask how to get it online.
Some tools handle this for you with one click. Others require a few setup steps. The AI can walk you through it.
⚠️ Before you publish anything to the web, take a moment to think it through. Make sure you understand what the app does, how it handles data, and what risks it might expose. Do your homework with security in mind.
⚠️ Before you publish anything to the web, take a moment to think it through. Make sure you understand what the app does, how it handles data, and what risks it might expose. Do your homework with security in mind.
Technical stuff for non-coders
Technical stuff for non-coders
You do not need to understand everything under the hood to start building. But knowing the basic building blocks helps you guide the AI, make better decisions, and stay in the loop, especially if you are using AI-powered IDEs.
You do not need to understand everything under the hood to start building. But knowing the basic building blocks helps you guide the AI, make better decisions, and stay in the loop, especially if you are using AI-powered IDEs.
Frontend vs. backend
Most apps have two parts:
Most apps have two parts:
Frontend
Frontend
The frontend is what users see and interact with, like buttons, pages, and forms.
The frontend is what users see and interact with, like buttons, pages, and forms.
Backend
Backend
The backend handles logic, data, and user accounts behind the scenes.
The backend handles logic, data, and user accounts behind the scenes.
The frontend talks to the backend through an API, like a messenger between the two.
If you are using tools like Lovable or Bolt, much of this is handled for you. If you are using AI-powered IDEs like Cursor, you have more control — and more choices to make.
The frontend talks to the backend through an API, like a messenger between the two.
If you are using tools like Lovable or Bolt, much of this is handled for you. If you are using AI-powered IDEs like Cursor, you have more control — and more choices to make.
Popular frameworks
Most modern AI-assisted builds use a common set of frameworks. You do not need to know how they work under the hood, but it helps to know what they are for.
Most modern AI-assisted builds use a common set of frameworks. You do not need to know how they work under the hood, but it helps to know what they are for.
React
The most popular way to build user interfaces. Helps you break your app into reusable parts like buttons, forms, and cards.
Next.js
Built on React. Adds structure, routing, and backend logic, letting you go from simple UI to full-stack application.
Shadcn/ui
A collection of reusable components built with Tailwind CSS. Beautifully designed, accessible, and customizable.
Tailwind CSS
A utility-first styling system that makes it fast and efficient to build clean, responsive layouts without writing custom CSS.
Supabase
An open source backend with built-in database, authentication, storage, and APIs ready to use out of the box.
Firebase
A cloud backend by Google. Offers tools for auth, storage, and real-time data without setting up your own server.
What now?
What now?
The best way to learn vibe coding is to start building.
Pick a small idea — a landing page, a dashboard, a personal tool — and describe it in plain language. Share it with your AI assistant, review what it builds, and shape it one step at a time. When something works, build on it. When something breaks, ask the AI why and try again.
You do not need to know everything to begin. You just need to stay in motion.
And you do not need to build alone. Join our vibe coding community on Skool to learn alongside others. You will see how people approach the same problems in different ways, get help when you are stuck, and share what you are building. It is a space for beginners, builders, and anyone who wants to turn ideas into working software together.
The best way to learn vibe coding is to start building.
Pick a small idea — a landing page, a dashboard, a personal tool — and describe it in plain language. Share it with your AI assistant, review what it builds, and shape it one step at a time. When something works, build on it. When something breaks, ask the AI why and try again.
You do not need to know everything to begin. You just need to stay in motion.
And you do not need to build alone. Join our vibe coding community on Skool to learn alongside others. You will see how people approach the same problems in different ways, get help when you are stuck, and share what you are building. It is a space for beginners, builders, and anyone who wants to turn ideas into working software together.
Learn to build with AI
Learn to build with AI
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Practical, fast, and built for people who want to learn how to build real things. Even if you are new to code.
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