The term vibe coding was coined by Andrej Karpathy, who first used it in a tweet in February 2025, sparking significant interest. Since then, it has been picked up and featured on social media and in authoritative publications. But what exactly does vibe coding mean? Let’s take a look.
What is vibe coding?
To best explain what vibe coding is, let’s start with Andrej Karpathy’s own definition: vibe coding is a specific approach where “you fully lean into the vibes, embrace the exponential, and forget that code exists.”
Therefore, we’re not talking about simple AI-assisted programming, but a methodology where understanding the code is delegated to Large Language Models (LLMs), and AI-generated code is accepted. Finally, for problem-solving, error messages are copied, and alternative solutions are requested if the AI fails to correct a bug. All of this happens through simple textual prompts provided to an LLM, such as GPT-4, for example.
This method thrives in a context where generative AI is increasingly used, as highlighted in McKinsey’s “The state of AI in early 2024: Gen AI adoption spikes and starts to generate value” report, which estimates that 65% of companies are adopting this technology.
Vibe coding is based on continuous interaction between humans and AI, where the developer conveys a high-level idea and receives a first implementation, which can then be refined with further suggestions or context modifications. The result is a form of co-creation. In essence, vibe coding is a development philosophy where human input is more declarative than technical, while AI output is increasingly precise, contextual, and adaptive. It’s not just a new way to write code, but a new way to think about software.
Vibe Coding Tools
The tools for vibe coding primarily fall into two categories: on one hand, classic LLMs that assist code generation, and on the other, tools integrated into IDEs and actual environments that provide code and immediate feedback in real time.
Below are some of the most popular tools used for vibe coding:
- ChatGPT, Gemini, or Claude: Effective language interfaces for quickly generating a function or code snippet.
- GitHub Copilot: The AI assistant integrated into Visual Studio Code.
- Manus-AI: An AI-powered platform designed to simplify and automate the drafting of legal documents. It offers assistance in writing, reviewing, and analyzing contracts, reducing time and error margins.
- Cursor: A new AI-enhanced IDE that allows modifying entire codebases using natural language commands.
- Lovable.dev: The platform automates API integrations (Stripe, Supabase) and generates responsive user interfaces.
- Firebase Studio: Tightly integrates Gemini AI with Firebase services for building full-stack applications.
- Roo Code: An AI-powered extension for VS Code that acts as an AI agent integrated directly into the editor.
Advantages and disadvantages of vibe coding
With vibe coding, it’s possible to generate software directly from natural language instructions, offering several advantages over traditional programming.
A primary advantage is reduced time, particularly for writing repetitive code. A second advantage is the democratization of development: thanks to vibe coding, it’s possible to create digital applications even without being a professional programmer, as simply describing what you want to achieve will suffice. The third benefit concerns personalization and adaptability, as prompts can be quickly modified to obtain functional, aesthetic, or linguistic variations.
Finally, another advantage of vibe coding for businesses is the ability to optimize resources. Companies can reduce the workload on internal IT teams and delegate repetitive or standardized tasks to artificial intelligence. This aspect is emphasized in a 2024 Accenture study, which found that companies integrating AI into development processes achieve an average of 30% savings on software production costs.
However, it’s important to note that just as there are numerous advantages to using vibe coding, there are also numerous limitations. These are due to the fact that AI for code generation relies on a vast amount of training data, which can result in code that is inefficient, difficult to maintain, and prone to bugs. Additionally, there are security risks, as AI tools do not always employ security best practices, leading to potential issues like SQL injection, buffer overflow, or hardcoded secrets. Finally, other limitations include: lack of contextual understanding, dependence on AI and loss of skills, and licensing and copyright issues regarding generated code.
Vibe coding: pure and hybrid approaches
Given the pros and cons of vibe coding, the best solution to adopt would be a differentiated approach that leverages pure vibe coding for specific contexts and a hybrid approach for traditional development. For exploratory projects like Proofs of Concept, quick demos, or when an emerging requirement needs to be met quickly, pure vibe coding is the most effective choice. In these scenarios, the goal is to rapidly achieve a functional result without worrying about long-term structure, allowing ideas to be validated, stakeholders impressed, or urgent requests responded to with maximum speed. The temporary and experimental nature of these deliverables justifies the absence of structured refactoring, as the code is often later discarded or completely rewritten.
For the development of enterprise applications or long-term projects, on the other hand, the hybrid approach represents the optimal solution. This method is structured in two sequential phases: initially, there are sessions of intuitive coding, where formal structure is temporarily ignored to focus on solving the core problem, allowing unconventional solutions and innovative architectural patterns to emerge. During this exploratory phase, the developer is guided by the inspiration of the moment, experimenting with different approaches and rapidly iterating on functional prototypes. It is important to note that for existing projects, adopting a pure vibe coding approach might not be beneficial; in fact, it could prove counterproductive. In consolidated codebases, introducing code developed without considering the existing architecture can create stylistic inconsistencies, logical duplications, and integration issues that compromise system stability. The pure approach risks generating technical debt that accumulates over time, making the code progressively more difficult to maintain and debug.
Subsequently, one moves to the consolidation phase, where the produced code undergoes critical analysis and systematic refactoring. During this second phase, clean code principles are applied, performance is optimized, appropriate tests are introduced, and the implementation logic is documented. This moment of reflection is crucial for identifying the winning patterns that emerged during the creative phase and transforming them into sustainable architecture. The hybrid approach particularly helps developers because it reduces the creative burnout typical of overly structured programming, maintains high motivation through phases of free exploration, and at the same time guarantees the final quality of the code. Furthermore, this method promotes continuous learning, as the alternation between intuition and critical analysis develops both the creative and analytical skills of the programmer, creating a virtuous cycle of professional growth.
Conclusions
Vibe coding represents the first step towards conversational application development; more than a technique, it is a true mode of thinking that centers on human intention and AI’s ability to interpret it, thereby generating coherent, functional, and increasingly context-adherent code. Statistics clearly indicate that this approach is a rapidly spreading trend. More and more businesses, startups, professionals, and students are already benefiting from the advantages in terms of time, accessibility, and creativity. The spread of tools like GPT-4, Claude, Copilot, or Cursor is indeed making the possibility of “developing with words” increasingly concrete. However, it is important to emphasize that vibe coding does not replace the human developer but enhances their role. The ability to formulate effective prompts, evaluate the generated code, and integrate it into the project context remains a key skill. In this context, as with all new applications of artificial intelligence, new skills will become increasingly important, but also new mindsets in line with new digital literacy.
Looking to the future, the question to ask is no longer whether to adopt vibe coding, which will certainly see significant development, but how to strategically integrate it into your team’s creative and productive processes. Revelis is at the forefront of the digital evolution process also affecting the world of coding, and has the necessary expertise to support companies in the transition process to generative technologies. If you want to discover how vibe coding could facilitate your projects, do not hesitate to contact us for a personalized consultation.
