What is Vibe Coding?

Vibe Coding means you don’t need to write code; you just need to clearly express the “vibe” you want, and AI will help you write the code.

For example, if I want to create a “programmer’s reminder tool for taking breaks,” I can instruct the AI like this:

“Create a minimalist reminder tool with a dark mode interface that reminds me to take a 5-minute break at 10 AM and 3 PM, supports custom reminder times, has a one-click copy feature for break scripts, is compatible with desktop, and has smooth interactions.”

The AI generates the complete HTML and JS code, which I can copy directly into the browser to use, without writing a single line of code. I can also modify it anytime: “Change the reminder time to 9 AM and 2 PM,” or “Add a clock-in feature,” and the AI makes the changes instantly.

This is the essence of Vibe Coding: you act as the director, and the AI serves as the code executor.

From “Code Typist” to “Product Director”

In the past, writing code was a hellish experience. When a product manager said, “Give me a nice login page,” you would open VS Code, create HTML/CSS/JS files, write the structure, adjust styles, fix bugs, and stay up late, only to have the product manager say, “It doesn’t feel right, make more changes.”

Now, with Vibe Coding, you can tell the AI, “Create a login page inspired by Xiaohongshu, with Morandi gray and mint green, buttons that float up 2px on hover, input fields with a light blue border on focus, mobile-friendly, and smooth interactions,” and the AI quickly generates runnable code that you can execute directly. You just need to say, “Make this button a bit larger,” and the AI adjusts it instantly.

In short, Vibe Coding liberates programmers from being “syntax laborers.” You no longer need to worry about how to write a for loop or adjust CSS styles; you just need to articulate the vibe you want, and let the AI handle the rest.

However, there’s a crucial point many people misunderstand: Vibe Coding doesn’t mean programmers can relax; it upgrades the requirements entirely.

Previously, a programmer’s core skills were “writing code quickly and fixing bugs quickly.” Now that AI can write code, fix bugs, and optimize performance, you can never compete with AI on “coding speed.” In the future, a programmer’s core competitiveness will be their “product sense” and “judgment”—you need to know what a good product feels like and be able to accurately describe the user experience; you must understand the code generated by AI and identify logical flaws and security risks.

AI will not replace programmers, but programmers who can use AI will replace those who cannot.

From “Requirement Relay” to “Product Creator”

What were the pain points for product managers in the past? You might have a fantastic idea for a small tool, but you’d hear, “The development schedule is full; you’ll have to wait three months,” or “This requirement is too complex; it cannot be implemented technically,” or “First, create a PRD, then a prototype, review it, and then schedule it.” By the time three months pass, the market opportunity is gone, and the idea is dead.

Now, with Vibe Coding, you can tell the AI, “I want to create a workplace reminder tool that sends break scripts at scheduled times, with a minimalist interface and customizable reminder times, and a one-click share feature to social media,” and the AI generates a complete app that you can download and use, with the ability to modify requirements on the fly.

Product managers no longer have to be mere “requirement relays”; they can directly turn ideas into products, quickly validate concepts, and no longer be constrained by development schedules or technical difficulties.

In the future, a product manager’s core competitiveness will be their “creativity” and “user insight”—you need to identify real user needs and come up with creative ideas that others might not think of; you must be able to quickly turn ideas into products, validate the market, and iterate for optimization.

From “App Users” to “App Creators”

In the past, ordinary people had no way to create anything. If you wanted to make a personalized accounting app or a study reminder tool, you had to learn programming, which often led to giving up after six months. Hiring a freelancer could cost thousands, and you might not even get what you wanted. Using templates meant fixed functionality that couldn’t meet personalized needs.

Now, with Vibe Coding, you can tell the AI, “I want to create a feeding reminder app for my cat, with a cute interface that reminds me to feed my cat at scheduled times, records feeding times, and stores photos of my cat,” and the AI generates a complete app without you writing a single line of code.

Programming is no longer a skill exclusive to programmers; it has become a “creative tool” that anyone can use. If you have an idea, you can create a product, achieving the goal of “everyone is a creator.”

Pitfalls to Avoid for Each Role

For Programmers:

• Completely trust AI without reviewing the code. AI may embed logical flaws and security risks, requiring human review.
• Use vague requirements and let AI run free. Saying, “Create a nice page” could lead to an unsatisfactory result; you must be precise in your descriptions.
• Abandon programming fundamentals and rely solely on AI. If you don’t understand the code, you won’t know if AI has hidden issues.

For Product Managers:

• Treat AI-generated products as final versions. AI only produces prototypes, which must undergo user testing and iterative optimization.
• Ignore product logic and user needs while chasing aesthetics. If the product doesn’t address real user problems, it will fail.

For Ordinary People:

• Assume AI can handle everything. AI is just a tool; you need clear requirements to create a good product.
• Use AI-generated products without testing. These products may have bugs, so you must test them yourself.

Recommended Tools

• Cursor: An AI-native editor with built-in GPT-4o, perfect for Vibe Coding, usable by programmers, product managers, and ordinary people.
• GPT-4o / Claude 3.5: General models that can help you create products from scratch, providing complete solutions and code, friendly for beginners.
• Windsurf: An AI-driven editor focusing on vibe-driven development, enabling rapid MVP creation with maximum efficiency.

Programmer-specific Tools:

• GitHub Copilot, DeepSeek Coder, Devin.

Product Manager-specific Tools:

• Figma, Feishu Multidimensional Tables.

Ordinary Person-specific Tools:

• GPTs, Make / Zapier, Glide / Bubble.

What Vibe Coding Changes

It fundamentally reconstructs the “barrier to creation.” In the past, creating a product required “technical knowledge, coding skills, and resources,” which was prohibitively high, leaving 99% of people outside the door. Now, Vibe Coding lowers the barrier to “being able to speak and have ideas,” allowing everyone to create, become product managers, and developers.

It completely redefines the “core competitiveness in the workplace.” Programmers transition from “code typists” to “product decision-makers”; product managers evolve from “requirement relays” to “product creators”; ordinary people shift from “tool users” to “tool creators.” In the future, those who can better leverage AI to amplify their abilities will win.

It revolutionizes the “speed of product iteration.” Previously, product iterations were on a “monthly” or even “quarterly” basis; now, Vibe Coding allows for “hourly” or even “minute” iterations. You can quickly experiment and optimize, truly achieving user-centered product iteration.