Coding and software development spaces have always been spaces dominated by professionals. Traditionally, joining the field required mastering programming languages, understanding complex algorithms, and developing logical problem-solving skills. It was a technical world, often intimidating to outsiders.
As technology has advanced, so has the way people can engage with coding. Today, the internet is so accumulated with resources and tools that anyone with a will to learn can master a branch or two in the world of programming—self-taught web designers and software engineers have been all the vibe for a while now.
When that wasn’t enough, a simplification of the process, the no-code movement—a game-changer that allowed people to build software, applications, and even websites using graphical user interfaces rather than writing lines of code also came up. Platforms like Bubble, Webflow, and Zapier enabled entrepreneurs, designers, and even business professionals with no technical background to create functional applications. Of course, these had limitations, and many still preferred to hire professionals.
Now, things have taken yet another step forward with the vibe coding trend, where you can pretty much program in English.
What Is Vibe Coding?
Vibe coding is a new approach to software development where AI takes on most of the coding work, allowing developers and non-technical users alike to describe what they want in natural language. Instead of writing out complex syntax and functions, you simply tell the AI what you need, and it generates the necessary code.
For those who might mistake it for the trend where techies leveraged AI tools as assistants to help with coding, this particular trend works in a way that the user doesn’t operate any coding. They describe what they want to an AI the same way they would to a developer, and the AI does all the programming.
The term “vibe coding” was popularised by Andrej Karpathy, a renowned AI researcher and co-founder of OpenAI, in early 2025. It captures the essence of an AI-assisted, intuitive way of coding, where you “give in to the vibes” and let AI handle the heavy lifting.
This approach builds on the no-code revolution but goes a step further by enabling users to create and modify actual code without deep programming knowledge. Unlike traditional no-code tools that rely on a drag-and-drop interface, vibe coding allows for more flexibility, making it a powerful alternative for those who want more control without having to invest in syntax-heavy programming languages.
Why Is Vibe Coding Trending?
The reason vibe coding is generating so much buzz is simple—it dramatically reduces the barriers to software development while enhancing productivity. Here’s why it’s such a big deal:
Increased Accessibility: Just like the no-code movement before it, vibe coding makes software development more accessible to non-programmers. People from fields like marketing, sales, and customer service can now automate tasks and build software tools without the need for extensive technical knowledge.
Faster Development Cycles – Traditional coding can be time-consuming, requiring developers to write, debug, and refine code manually. With AI generating much of the code, developers can focus on higher-level design and logic, making the development process significantly faster.
Greater Flexibility Than No-Code Tools – While no-code platforms are great, they come with limitations. Vibe coding provides more control because the AI generates real code, which can then be customised as needed.
AI as a Collaborative Partner – Instead of replacing developers, Vibe Coding acts as an AI-powered assistant, helping programmers automate repetitive tasks, suggest better code structures, and even debug issues.
How Does Vibe Coding Work?
The process of vibe coding is straightforward. Instead of manually writing code, a developer or user simply gives instructions in plain English, such as:
“Create a login page with email and password fields, and include a ‘forgot password’ option.”
“Build a chatbot that responds to common customer queries about shipping policies.”
“Generate a Python script that scrapes real estate listings and saves them in a CSV file.”
The AI then processes these commands and translates them into functioning code. Users can tweak the AI’s output, providing further instructions to refine or modify the generated code.
Tools That Enable Vibe Coding
A few emerging tools are leading the vibe coding movement, including:
Cursor – An AI-powered IDE that understands and generates code based on descriptions.
Windsurf – A growing IDE that integrates AI into the development workflow.
Claude 3.5, ChatGPT, Grok, Gemini – AI chatbots capable of writing and reasoning through complex code problems.
Who Is Using Vibe Coding?
Vibe coding is attracting a diverse audience, from professional developers to complete beginners.
Experienced Developers use it to automate repetitive coding tasks and improve efficiency, or just to try out the task.
Entrepreneurs leverage it to develop apps and websites without needing a full-time technical team.
Non-technical Professionals in marketing, sales, and operations use it to automate processes and build simple software tools.
Students and Hobbyists explore coding in a less intimidating way, learning by iterating on AI-generated scripts.
The Impact on Jobs and the Software Industry
With AI taking on more coding responsibilities, the job market is evolving, albeit in a threatening manner.
Shift in Skill Requirements – Developers may need to focus more on problem-solving, system design, and strategic thinking rather than pure coding ability. Many developers are finding themselves having to upskill to keep up with the emerging trends, many taking on Ai skills so that they can contribute and remain relevant in the current market where coding in itself isn’t the prime factor, but rather an emphasis on one’s ability to identify problems and come up with solutions.
Expanded Access to Tech Careers – More people can enter the tech industry without deep programming knowledge, leading to a broader range of innovative solutions.
Many of us have ideas and possible solutions to problems, but very few can program IT solutions, the time required or the funds to outsource development. Vibe coding thus allows many to at least try to make these ideas come to reality without the initial time to learn the programming languages, or the expensive budgets to build software. That said, vibe coding by a non-professional is rather limited in terms of scaling these ideas they create.
Quality and Security Concerns – While AI-generated code can be a huge time-saver, ensuring its security and maintainability still requires skilled developers.
The Future of Vibe Coding
Vibe coding is still in its early days, but it has the potential to reshape how software is developed. While AI is unlikely to replace skilled programmers anytime soon, it will undoubtedly change how coding is approached, and it pretty much has already.
Most development environments come with pre-installed AI assistants, and most Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT come with great coding capabilities right out of the box. Developers who embrace AI as a collaborative tool will be able to work more efficiently and focus on the creative aspects of software development.
For those interested in getting started, experimenting with AI-assisted coding tools like ChatGPT, Claude, or Cursor can be a great way to explore this emerging trend. Whether you’re an experienced coder or someone who has always wanted to build an app but found programming too daunting, Vibe coding is opening up exciting new possibilities in the world of software development.
