What is Vibe Coding? The Complete Guide
Discover the AI-powered development revolution where you describe what you want and AI builds it. From Andrej Karpathy's viral tweet to 92% developer adoption.
Founder, Natively
Vibe coding has transformed how developers and non-developers alike build software. Coined by AI pioneer Andrej Karpathy in February 2025, vibe coding refers to an AI-assisted approach where you describe what you want to build in natural language and let AI generate the code. Instead of writing every line manually, you "give in to the vibes" and guide AI through conversational prompts. In just one year, this approach has gone from a viral tweet to being used by 92% of US developers daily, fundamentally changing what it means to be a software developer.
Key Takeaways
- AI-powered development — describe what you want in plain English and AI generates functional code
- 92% adoption rate — the vast majority of US developers now use AI coding tools daily
- 41% of code is AI-generated — representing 256 billion lines written in 2024 alone
- 5.8x faster development — organizations using vibe coding see dramatically faster app creation
- Perfect for prototypes and MVPs — ideal for rapid experimentation and validating ideas quickly
Vibe Coding in 2026
Sources: Second Talent Research, Roots Analysis
What is Vibe Coding? Definition Explained
Vibe coding is an AI-assisted software development practice where developers describe their project or task to a large language model (LLM), which then generates source code based on the prompt. Rather than manually writing every function and class, developers guide, test, and provide feedback on AI-generated solutions.
"There's a new kind of coding I call 'vibe coding', where you fully give in to the vibes, embrace exponentials, and forget that the code even exists."
— Andrej Karpathy, February 2025
A key distinction of vibe coding is that users often accept AI-generated code without fully understanding every line. As programmer Simon Willison noted: "If an LLM wrote every line of your code, but you've reviewed, tested, and understood it all, that's not vibe coding—that's using an LLM as a typing assistant."
This approach represents a fundamental shift in software development, moving from writing code line-by-line to guiding AI through conversational prompts. For platforms like Natively, this means users can describe a mobile app idea in plain English and receive a fully functional native iOS and Android application.
The Origin of Vibe Coding
The term "vibe coding" was introduced by Andrej Karpathy, a computer scientist who co-founded OpenAI and served as the Senior Director of AI at Tesla. In February 2025, Karpathy posted a viral tweet describing his new approach to coding where he barely touched the keyboard.
1Voice-First Interaction
Karpathy described using voice interfaces like SuperWhisper to talk to AI, making requests like "decrease the padding on the sidebar by half" without typing.
2Accept All Changes
He would "Accept All" changes without reading the code diffs, trusting the AI to implement his requests correctly.
3Error Handling via AI
When encountering error messages, he would copy-paste them back to the AI with no comment, letting it figure out the fix.
4Code Beyond Comprehension
Karpathy acknowledged that "the code grows beyond my usual comprehension," noting it was suitable for "throwaway weekend projects."
The concept quickly gained traction. By the end of 2025, Wikipedia had a dedicated page for vibe coding, and Collins Dictionary named it a candidate for Word of the Year 2026. The practice evolved from Karpathy's personal experiment into a mainstream development methodology adopted by Fortune 500 companies.
How Vibe Coding Works
The vibe coding workflow fundamentally changes the developer's role from code writer to solution architect. Here's how the process typically works:
Describe Your Intent
Instead of thinking about syntax and implementation details, you describe what you want to build in plain English. For example: "Create a user authentication system with email verification and password reset functionality."
AI Generates Code
The AI interprets your request and generates complete, functional code including UI components, business logic, database schemas, and API endpoints.
Review and Iterate
You review the generated output (or in true vibe coding fashion, accept it without deep review) and provide feedback for refinements: "Make the button larger and change the color to match our brand."
Test and Deploy
Run the application, identify any issues, and either fix them yourself or ask the AI to resolve them. When satisfied, deploy to production.
For mobile app development, platforms like Natively's text-to-app builder take this even further by handling not just code generation but also the complete backend setup with Supabase, UI design, and one-click deployment to app stores.
Vibe Coding vs Traditional Coding
Understanding the differences between vibe coding and traditional development helps you choose the right approach for your project:
| Aspect | Vibe Coding | Traditional Coding |
|---|---|---|
| Input Method | Natural language prompts | Manual code writing |
| Learning Curve | Low — no programming required | Steep — years to master |
| Development Speed | 5.8x faster on average | Slower but more controlled |
| Code Understanding | Often limited | Complete understanding |
| Best For | Prototypes, MVPs, internal tools | Enterprise systems, security-critical apps |
| Maintenance | Can be challenging | Easier with understanding |
| Security | Requires review | Developer-controlled |
When to Use Vibe Coding
- ✓Rapid prototyping and MVPs
- ✓Internal business tools
- ✓Weekend projects and experiments
- ✓Non-technical founders validating ideas
- ✓Automating repetitive coding tasks
When Traditional Coding is Better
- →Security-critical applications
- →Performance-sensitive systems
- →Long-term enterprise software
- →Highly regulated industries
- →Complex algorithmic work
According to DataCamp, the future is not vibe coding OR traditional coding—it's knowing which approach solves your actual problem. Most real-world projects benefit from using both strategically.
Vibe Coding Statistics for 2026
The adoption of vibe coding has accelerated dramatically. Here are the key statistics that demonstrate the scale of this transformation:
The vibe coding market is projected to grow from $2.96 billion in 2025 to $325 billion by 2040, representing a CAGR of 36.79%. This explosive growth reflects the fundamental shift in how software is created.
According to IBM, internal tools built with vibe coding techniques reduced development time by 60% for enterprise applications, making it particularly valuable for business productivity.
Test Your Vibe Coding Knowledge
5 questions to see how much you know
Who coined the term "vibe coding"?
Popular Vibe Coding Tools in 2026
The vibe coding ecosystem has grown rapidly with specialized tools for different use cases. Here are the leading platforms:
Cursor
Best for professional developers
AI-powered code editor with deep codebase understanding. Popular among Fortune 1000 companies for its advanced pair-programming features.
Replit
Full development environment
Browser-based IDE where 75% of users never write a single line of code. The AI Agent can plan and build entire applications autonomously.
Bolt
Rapid web app development
Helps teams build web pages and product flows quickly with a focus on speed and simplicity. Popular for testing ideas before deeper investment.
v0 by Vercel
UI component generation
Powerful tool for front-end developers. Generates clean, maintainable React code using shadcn/ui with seamless Vercel integration.
NativelyMobile Apps
Native iOS & Android from text
AI-powered platform that builds native iOS and Android apps from text descriptions. Includes Supabase backend, full code ownership, and one-click deployment to app stores.
Try Natively free →According to Knack's guide, organizations using vibe coding tools report productivity increases of 3-5x for common tasks, though approximately 45% of AI-generated code contains security vulnerabilities that require human review.
Best Use Cases for Vibe Coding
Vibe coding excels in specific scenarios where speed and accessibility matter more than fine-grained control:
Ideal for Vibe Coding
- MVP Development
Validate your startup idea in days, not months. Y Combinator reports 25% of their startups now have 95%+ AI-generated codebases.
- Internal Business Tools
Build dashboards, admin panels, and workflow automation without dedicated development resources.
- Rapid Prototyping
Test UI concepts and user flows before committing to full development.
- Learning Projects
Understand how different technologies work by seeing AI-generated implementations.
Real-World Examples
- E-commerce Apps
Product catalogs, shopping carts, and checkout flows generated from descriptions.
- Social Platforms
User profiles, feeds, and messaging features built through conversational prompts.
- Fitness & Health Apps
Workout trackers, habit monitors, and wellness tools with AI-designed interfaces.
- Content Platforms
Blogs, news readers, and media apps with personalized recommendation systems.
For non-technical founders and entrepreneurs, vibe coding enables app creation that would previously require hiring expensive development teams. With platforms like Natively starting at $5/month, the barrier to building professional mobile apps has never been lower.
How to Get Started with Vibe Coding
Ready to try vibe coding? Here's a practical guide to getting started:
1Choose Your Platform
Select a vibe coding tool based on what you want to build:
- • Web apps: Replit, Bolt, or v0
- • Mobile apps: Natively
- • Code assistance: Cursor or GitHub Copilot
2Start with a Clear Description
Be specific about what you want. Instead of "make a fitness app," try:
3Iterate and Refine
Review the generated output and provide feedback. Good iteration prompts:
- • "Make the buttons larger and add more spacing"
- • "Add a dark mode toggle to the settings"
- • "The chart should show the last 30 days by default"
- • "Add validation to prevent empty workout entries"
4Test Thoroughly
While vibe coding emphasizes speed, always test your application before deploying. Check edge cases, error handling, and user flows.
Build Your First App with AI
Try vibe coding today with Natively. Describe your mobile app idea in plain English and get a native iOS and Android app in minutes. Full code ownership, Supabase backend included.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is vibe coding?
Vibe coding is an AI-assisted software development practice where developers describe what they want to build in natural language, and AI generates the code. The term was coined by Andrej Karpathy in February 2025, who described it as giving in to the vibes and forgetting the code even exists.
Who invented vibe coding?
The term vibe coding was coined by Andrej Karpathy, a co-founder of OpenAI and former AI leader at Tesla, in February 2025. His viral tweet describing the practice quickly made vibe coding a mainstream concept in software development.
Is vibe coding good for beginners?
Yes, vibe coding is excellent for beginners because it lowers the barrier to entry for software development. Users only need to describe what they want in plain language, and AI generates the code. This makes app building accessible to non-programmers while still producing functional applications.
What percentage of developers use vibe coding tools?
According to 2026 statistics, 92% of US developers use AI coding tools daily, and 82% of global developers use them at least weekly. Additionally, 41% of all code written globally is now AI-generated.
What are the best vibe coding tools in 2026?
Popular vibe coding tools in 2026 include Cursor, Replit, Bolt, Lovable, and v0 for web development. For mobile app development, Natively stands out as it generates native iOS and Android apps from natural language descriptions with full code ownership.
Continue Learning
How Vibe Coding Works →
Technical deep-dive into how AI transforms natural language into working code.
Vibe Coding for Business →
How businesses are using vibe coding to build apps faster and cheaper.
Vibe Coding Costs Explained →
Complete breakdown of vibe coding pricing and ROI for your projects.
Future of Vibe Coding →
Predictions and trends for AI-powered development in 2026 and beyond.