Glossary / AI and Machine Learning
Vibe Coding
Building software by describing what you want in plain English to an AI tool, which generates the code for you.
Definition
Vibe coding is the practice of building software applications by describing what you want in natural language to an AI tool, which then generates the code for you. Coined by Andrej Karpathy in early 2025, the term captures a shift where non-developers can create functional prototypes and even full applications without writing traditional code. The "vibe" refers to the intuitive, conversational approach: you describe the feel and function you want, and the AI handles the implementation.
Why vibe coding matters
Vibe coding has made software development accessible to people who have never written a line of code. Business owners, marketers, and operations managers can now build internal tools, prototypes, and even customer-facing applications by having a conversation with an AI. This is genuinely transformative for small businesses that previously needed £10,000+ budgets to get custom software built.
How vibe coding works
| Step | What happens | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Describe | You tell the AI what you want in plain English | "Build me a customer feedback form that saves responses to a database and sends me an email summary each morning" |
| 2. Generate | The AI writes the code and creates a working app | AI generates HTML, CSS, JavaScript, backend logic, and database schema |
| 3. Iterate | You test, describe changes, AI updates the code | "Make the form look more professional and add a star rating field" |
| 4. Deploy | The AI helps you publish the app | Deployed to a hosting platform with a shareable URL |
Popular vibe coding tools
| Tool | Best for | Cost | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cursor | Developers who want AI assistance in a full IDE | Free tier, £16/month pro | Requires some coding knowledge to use effectively |
| Bolt.new | Full-stack web apps from a prompt | Free tier, from £16/month | Complex apps need significant iteration |
| Lovable | Non-technical founders building MVPs | From £16/month | Limited backend complexity |
| Replit | Quick prototypes and learning | Free tier, from £7/month | Performance limitations at scale |
| Claude Code | Complex applications with terminal access | Usage-based via API | Requires comfort with command line |
Vibe coding vs traditional development
| Factor | Vibe coding | Traditional development |
|---|---|---|
| Time to prototype | Hours to days | Weeks to months |
| Cost for MVP | £0 to £500 | £5,000 to £25,000 |
| Skill required | Clear communication, domain knowledge | Programming languages, frameworks, architecture |
| Code quality | Variable, often poor at scale | Consistent when done by experienced developers |
| Security | Often overlooked, major risk | Built into the development process |
| Maintenance | Difficult without understanding the code | Manageable with good documentation and practices |
| Scalability | Breaks down past ~1,000 users | Designed for growth from the start |
What does it cost to fix a vibe-coded app?
| Scenario | Cost range | What is involved |
|---|---|---|
| Security audit and fixes | £1,500 to £4,000 | Identify vulnerabilities, patch authentication, secure data handling, add input validation |
| Performance optimisation | £2,000 to £6,000 | Database indexing, query optimisation, caching, code refactoring for speed |
| Production-ready rebuild | £5,000 to £15,000 | Keep the concept, rebuild with proper architecture, testing, error handling, and deployment pipeline |
| Ongoing maintenance | £500 to £1,500/month | Bug fixes, security patches, feature updates, monitoring |
When NOT to vibe code
- When security matters: Vibe-coded apps routinely ship with exposed API keys, SQL injection vulnerabilities, and no authentication. If your app handles personal data, financial information, or health records, do not vibe code it
- When you need to scale: An app that works for 10 users often breaks at 1,000. Vibe-coded apps rarely include proper database indexing, caching, or load handling
- When you cannot read the code: If something breaks at 2am and you cannot understand what the AI wrote, you are stuck. At minimum, have a developer review vibe-coded apps before they go live
- When the app is your core product: If software is what you sell, it needs to be built properly. Vibe coding is brilliant for internal tools and prototypes, not for the product your customers pay for
Is your vibe-coded app production ready?
Many businesses start with a vibe-coded prototype and then need help making it reliable, secure, and scalable. Book a free 30-minute discovery call and we will review your app, identify the gaps, and give you a clear plan for getting it production ready.
Definition
Vibe coding is the practice of building software applications by describing what you want in natural language to an AI tool, which then generates the code for you. Coined by Andrej Karpathy in early 2025, the term captures a shift where non-developers can create functional prototypes and even full applications without writing traditional code. The "vibe" refers to the intuitive, conversational approach: you describe the feel and function you want, and the AI handles the implementation.
Why vibe coding matters
Vibe coding has made software development accessible to people who have never written a line of code. Business owners, marketers, and operations managers can now build internal tools, prototypes, and even customer-facing applications by having a conversation with an AI. This is genuinely transformative for small businesses that previously needed £10,000+ budgets to get custom software built.
How vibe coding works
| Step | What happens | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Describe | You tell the AI what you want in plain English | "Build me a customer feedback form that saves responses to a database and sends me an email summary each morning" |
| 2. Generate | The AI writes the code and creates a working app | AI generates HTML, CSS, JavaScript, backend logic, and database schema |
| 3. Iterate | You test, describe changes, AI updates the code | "Make the form look more professional and add a star rating field" |
| 4. Deploy | The AI helps you publish the app | Deployed to a hosting platform with a shareable URL |
Popular vibe coding tools
| Tool | Best for | Cost | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cursor | Developers who want AI assistance in a full IDE | Free tier, £16/month pro | Requires some coding knowledge to use effectively |
| Bolt.new | Full-stack web apps from a prompt | Free tier, from £16/month | Complex apps need significant iteration |
| Lovable | Non-technical founders building MVPs | From £16/month | Limited backend complexity |
| Replit | Quick prototypes and learning | Free tier, from £7/month | Performance limitations at scale |
| Claude Code | Complex applications with terminal access | Usage-based via API | Requires comfort with command line |
Vibe coding vs traditional development
| Factor | Vibe coding | Traditional development |
|---|---|---|
| Time to prototype | Hours to days | Weeks to months |
| Cost for MVP | £0 to £500 | £5,000 to £25,000 |
| Skill required | Clear communication, domain knowledge | Programming languages, frameworks, architecture |
| Code quality | Variable, often poor at scale | Consistent when done by experienced developers |
| Security | Often overlooked, major risk | Built into the development process |
| Maintenance | Difficult without understanding the code | Manageable with good documentation and practices |
| Scalability | Breaks down past ~1,000 users | Designed for growth from the start |
What does it cost to fix a vibe-coded app?
| Scenario | Cost range | What is involved |
|---|---|---|
| Security audit and fixes | £1,500 to £4,000 | Identify vulnerabilities, patch authentication, secure data handling, add input validation |
| Performance optimisation | £2,000 to £6,000 | Database indexing, query optimisation, caching, code refactoring for speed |
| Production-ready rebuild | £5,000 to £15,000 | Keep the concept, rebuild with proper architecture, testing, error handling, and deployment pipeline |
| Ongoing maintenance | £500 to £1,500/month | Bug fixes, security patches, feature updates, monitoring |
When NOT to vibe code
- When security matters: Vibe-coded apps routinely ship with exposed API keys, SQL injection vulnerabilities, and no authentication. If your app handles personal data, financial information, or health records, do not vibe code it
- When you need to scale: An app that works for 10 users often breaks at 1,000. Vibe-coded apps rarely include proper database indexing, caching, or load handling
- When you cannot read the code: If something breaks at 2am and you cannot understand what the AI wrote, you are stuck. At minimum, have a developer review vibe-coded apps before they go live
- When the app is your core product: If software is what you sell, it needs to be built properly. Vibe coding is brilliant for internal tools and prototypes, not for the product your customers pay for
Is your vibe-coded app production ready?
Many businesses start with a vibe-coded prototype and then need help making it reliable, secure, and scalable. Book a free 30-minute discovery call and we will review your app, identify the gaps, and give you a clear plan for getting it production ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about vibe coding and AI-generated software.
Can I build a real business on vibe-coded software?
You can validate a business idea with vibe-coded software, but you should not scale a business on it. Use vibe coding to build your prototype, test it with real users, and prove demand. Once you have traction, invest in having the application rebuilt properly by a developer or agency who can add security, testing, and scalability.
Is vibe coding going to replace software developers?
No. Vibe coding is making simple software creation accessible to everyone, but complex, secure, scalable systems still need experienced developers. What is changing is the role: developers spend less time writing boilerplate code and more time on architecture, security, and the hard problems that AI cannot reliably solve. Think of it like how spreadsheets did not replace accountants.
How do I know if my vibe-coded app is secure?
Assume it is not. Vibe-coded apps commonly have exposed API keys, missing authentication, SQL injection vulnerabilities, and no input validation. Before putting any vibe-coded app in front of real users or connecting it to real data, have a developer run a security review. This typically costs £1,500 to £4,000 and is far cheaper than dealing with a data breach.