What Is Vibe Coding and How Does It Work?

In 2025, a new trend is reshaping how software is built: vibe coding. Instead of writing every line of code by hand, developers guide AI through prompts, examples, and corrections until the application behaves as intended. It is a shift that is already popular among startups, where speed, agility, and experimentation are critical.

Why Is Vibe Coding Becoming Popular?

Vibe coding addresses two key challenges in modern software development:

• Faster delivery – AI can generate entire code modules in seconds, which would traditionally take hours or days.

• Lower barrier to entry – Non-specialists can produce functional prototypes by describing requirements rather than knowing a specific programming language.

• Iterative creativity – Developers can experiment more freely, adjusting prompts rather than refactoring large code blocks.

• Startup competitiveness – Founders can launch minimum viable products faster, reducing time-to-market.

How Does Vibe Coding Work in Practice?

A typical vibe coding process looks like this:

1. Define the goal – Explain what the software should do, in plain language.

2. Set the context – Give AI any relevant technical details, frameworks, or data formats.

3. Review and refine – Test AI-generated output, give corrective prompts, and regenerate sections as needed.

4. Integrate – Merge the refined code into the production environment.

Step	Traditional Coding	Vibe Coding
Planning	Detailed technical design	High-level goals and examples
Writing	Manual coding	Prompt-based generation
Debugging	Manual fixes	Regenerate with improved prompts
Delivery	Weeks or months	Hours or days

What Are the Risks and How to Manage Them?

Like any new approach, vibe coding is not without its limitations:

• Code quality variance – AI output may require more testing.

• Knowledge dependency – Without understanding the generated code, teams risk introducing bugs or security issues.

• Intellectual property concerns – The origin of AI-generated code can be unclear.

Best practices to mitigate these risks include:

• Always review AI-generated code for security and efficiency.

• Keep a developer in the loop for critical features.

• Use private AI instances when handling proprietary or sensitive information.

How Can Businesses Use Vibe Coding Today?

Startups are already using vibe coding for:

• Building prototypes to show investors

• Automating repetitive development tasks

• Creating internal tools quickly without tying up engineering resources

• Extending existing applications with new features

In larger organisations, vibe coding is emerging as a complement to traditional development teams, handling repetitive or boilerplate code while senior developers focus on architecture and innovation.

Related Reading on AI in Development

For more practical applications of AI in your organisation, explore these articles:

• AI at Work: Practical Ways It Can Solve Your Business Problems Today – Real examples of AI streamlining everyday business operations.

• The AI Playbook: Simplifying IT Operations for Growing Businesses – How to integrate AI into IT processes without complexity.

• Future-Proof Your IT Strategy: Combining Virtual Desktops and AI Consultancy – Leveraging virtualisation and AI for long-term scalability.