Published February 24, 2026 · 26 min read
A year ago, "vibe coding" was a niche term used by AI-native developers on X/Twitter. Today, it is how millions of people build software. The term was coined by Andrej Karpathy, former head of AI at Tesla, to describe a radically new way of programming: you describe what you want in plain English, and AI writes the code.
This is not autocomplete. This is not "AI suggests a line of code." Vibe coding means having a full conversation with an AI agent that understands your project, writes entire files, fixes bugs, runs tests, and deploys your application — while you guide the direction with natural language.
If you have never written a line of code, this guide is for you. If you are an experienced developer curious about AI-assisted workflows, this guide is for you. By the end, you will understand what vibe coding is, which tools to use, and you will have a step-by-step tutorial for building your first application with AI.
Vibe coding is a style of programming where you describe the software you want in natural language, and an AI model generates the code. You focus on the what and the why. The AI handles the how.
The term comes from a February 2025 post by Andrej Karpathy:
"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."
In practice, vibe coding looks like this:
No syntax memorization. No framework documentation deep-dives. No Stack Overflow rabbit holes. Just a conversation that produces working software.
Important distinction: vibe coding produces real code. Unlike no-code platforms (Webflow, Bubble, Glide), you own the actual source code. You can edit it, move it, host it anywhere, and are never locked into a platform. The AI writes the code — but the output is the same HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, or any other language a developer would write by hand.
Behind every vibe coding tool is a large language model (LLM) that has been trained on billions of lines of code. Here is the simplified process:
You describe what you want to build. The better your description, the better the output. This is where "prompt engineering" comes in — though for vibe coding, it is more like having a conversation than writing perfect prompts.
Advanced vibe coding tools like Claude Code and Cursor do not just respond to your message in isolation. They read your entire project — all your files, your folder structure, your package.json, your README — and understand the context of what you are building. This is what separates vibe coding from just pasting code into ChatGPT.
Based on your description and the existing codebase context, the AI generates code. It might create new files, modify existing ones, install dependencies, or restructure your project. The best tools generate production-quality code, not toy examples.
You look at what the AI generated. If it is right, you accept it. If something is off, you tell the AI what to change. This iterative loop — describe, generate, review, refine — is the core of vibe coding.
The most advanced tools (Claude Code, Cursor Agent mode) do not just write code — they run it, check for errors, fix bugs, and even run your test suite. They operate like an autonomous developer who not only writes the code but verifies it works.
Get started with free vibe coding resources: AI Prompt Generator, Code Formatter, JSON Formatter, Regex Tester, and our Vibe Coder's Playbook eBook.
AI Prompt Generator Vibe Coding eBookVibe coding is for three groups of people:
If you have never written code, vibe coding is the fastest way to build something real. You do not need to learn JavaScript, Python, or any programming language first. You describe what you want, and the AI builds it. You learn by doing — seeing the code, modifying it, and understanding what each part does over time.
If you already code, vibe coding amplifies your speed 5-10x. Instead of writing boilerplate, configuring frameworks, and looking up API documentation, you describe the feature and let the AI handle the implementation. You focus on architecture decisions, code review, and the parts that require human judgment.
If you have a business idea but cannot afford a developer, vibe coding lets you build your MVP yourself. A landing page, a simple SaaS tool, a Chrome extension, a mobile app prototype — all buildable through conversation with AI.
Not all tools are equal. Here are the 7 best vibe coding tools, ranked by capability, ease of use, and value for beginners.
What it does: Claude Code is an autonomous coding agent that runs in your terminal. It reads your entire codebase, generates code across multiple files, runs commands, fixes errors, manages git, and deploys. It uses Claude Opus 4.6, the most capable coding model available.
Why it is #1: Claude Code does not just write code — it thinks. It plans features, breaks tasks into steps, creates files, tests its work, and debugs autonomously. It is the closest thing to having a senior developer pair-programming with you 24/7.
Best for: Everyone. Beginners love the natural language interface. Experts love the autonomous capability.
How to start: Install Claude Code, navigate to your project folder, and start describing what you want to build. The AI does the rest.
Pricing: Free tier on claude.ai. Claude Max for heavy usage.
Try Claude CodeWhat it does: Cursor is a VS Code fork with AI deeply integrated into the editing experience. Features include Composer (multi-file editing from descriptions), Agent mode (autonomous coding), inline editing, codebase-aware chat, and support for multiple AI models (Claude, GPT, Gemini).
Why it ranks high: The IDE experience is familiar (it is VS Code), and the AI integration feels natural. Composer mode lets you describe a feature and watch Cursor edit multiple files simultaneously. Agent mode runs terminal commands and iterates on errors.
Best for: Developers who want AI inside their editor. The visual interface makes it less intimidating than terminal-based tools.
Pricing: Free tier (2,000 completions/month). Pro at $20/month.
Try CursorWhat it does: Windsurf (formerly Codeium) is an AI-native IDE with Cascade, a feature that understands your entire codebase and makes coordinated edits across dozens of files. It excels at refactoring, large-scale changes, and maintaining consistency across big projects.
Why it matters: While most tools handle single-file edits well, Windsurf is specifically designed for multi-file, codebase-wide changes. If you are building something larger than a single page, Windsurf keeps everything in sync.
Pricing: Free tier. Pro at $15/month.
Try WindsurfWhat it does: Bolt.new generates full-stack applications from descriptions entirely in the browser. No downloads, no terminal, no local setup. Describe an app, and Bolt builds it, lets you preview it, and lets you deploy it — all in a browser tab.
Why beginners love it: Zero setup friction. You do not need to install anything. Just describe what you want and see it appear. It is the fastest path from idea to running application for someone who has never coded.
Pricing: Free tier. Pro from $20/month.
Try Bolt.newWhat it does: Replit's AI agent builds and deploys applications in the browser. Describe your app, the agent creates it, sets up the environment, configures the database, and deploys to a live URL. You go from idea to live app without touching DevOps.
Why it matters: Deployment is the hardest part for beginners. Replit eliminates it entirely. Your app is live the moment the agent finishes building it.
Pricing: Free tier. Replit Core at $20/month.
Try Replit AgentWhat it does: Lovable (formerly GPT Engineer) generates polished, responsive web applications with excellent default designs. It connects to Supabase for backend functionality and produces apps that look professionally designed out of the box.
Why it matters: Design quality matters. Lovable produces better-looking default output than any other AI builder. If your app needs to look good immediately, start here.
Pricing: Free (5 generations/day). Paid from $20/month.
Try LovableWhat it does: v0 generates individual React/Next.js UI components from descriptions or screenshots. It is not a full app builder — it is a component builder. Describe a pricing table, a navigation bar, or a dashboard layout, and v0 generates production-ready code.
Why it matters: Sometimes you do not need a whole app. You need one great component. v0 is the best tool for that specific task.
Pricing: Free (10 generations/day). Premium from $20/month.
Try v0| Tool | Type | Beginner-Friendly | Free Tier | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claude Code | Terminal Agent | Medium | Yes | Everything, autonomous coding |
| Cursor | AI IDE | Medium | Yes | Developers wanting AI in editor |
| Windsurf | AI IDE | Medium | Yes | Large codebase edits |
| Bolt.new | Browser Builder | High | Yes | Complete beginners |
| Replit Agent | Browser Builder | High | Yes | Instant deployment |
| Lovable | Browser Builder | High | Yes | Beautiful app designs |
| v0 | Component Builder | High | Yes | Individual UI components |
Our comprehensive eBook covers prompting strategies, project templates, workflow guides, and 50+ ready-to-use prompts for vibe coding with Claude Code, Cursor, and more.
Get the eBook Free Prompt GeneratorLet us build something real. We will create a personal portfolio website with a dark theme, an about section, a projects gallery, and a contact form. We will use Claude Code (terminal) and deploy to GitHub Pages (free). Total cost: $0.
You need three things: a terminal, Claude Code, and a GitHub account.
Terminal: On Mac, open Terminal (Applications > Utilities > Terminal). On Windows, use Windows Terminal or PowerShell.
GitHub: Create a free account at github.com. Create a new repository called "my-portfolio". Clone it to your computer.
Claude Code: If you have Claude Code installed, you are ready. If not, sign up at claude.ai and follow the setup instructions.
Open Claude Code in your project directory and give it a detailed description:
Claude Code will generate a complete index.html file with all the HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Review it in your browser.
Open the generated file in your browser (double-click index.html). Look at it and decide what to change. Then tell Claude Code:
Claude Code will update the file. Refresh your browser to see the changes. Keep iterating until you are happy.
Before deploying, optimize your site using free tools:
Push your code and enable GitHub Pages:
Then go to your repository on GitHub > Settings > Pages > Source: Deploy from branch > Branch: main > Save. Within 2 minutes, your site is live at https://YOUR-USERNAME.github.io/my-portfolio.
Read our full GitHub Pages deployment guide for custom domain setup.
Tell Claude Code to add Google Analytics:
Claude Code adds the tracking scripts. Push the update. You now have full analytics on your free-hosted site.
You just built, optimized, and deployed a professional portfolio website in about 20 minutes. No coding knowledge required. Zero hosting cost. This is the power of vibe coding in 2026.
Your results are only as good as your descriptions. Here are 10 tips for getting better output from AI coding tools:
Level up your vibe coding with spunk.codes: AI Prompt Generator, Code Formatter, Diff Checker, JSON Formatter, and Regex Tester.
AI Prompt Generator Code FormatterVibe coding is not theoretical. Here are real things built by real people using AI coding tools:
spunk.codes hosts over 200 free tools — SEO analyzers, code formatters, generators, calculators — all built with Claude Code. Every page was generated through vibe coding conversations, deployed on GitHub Pages, and costs $0/month to run.
Spunk.Bet is a free crypto casino with 10 provably fair games including slots, dice, poker, crash, roulette, and more. Every game mechanic, animation, and wallet integration was built through vibe coding. The entire site runs on free hosting.
SpunkArt.com is a digital art portfolio and marketplace, built entirely through AI-assisted coding. Gallery pages, collection showcases, and the store — all vibe coded and free-hosted.
The Predict Network includes 16 prediction market websites (predict.horse, predict.codes, predict.beauty, etc.), all generated from a single Python script that uses AI-assisted templates. One codebase produces 16 unique sites with different domains and themes.
Across X/Twitter and indie hacker communities, people regularly share SaaS products built in a single weekend with vibe coding: invoice generators, habit trackers, bookmark managers, AI chat wrappers, link shorteners, and analytics dashboards. What used to take months now takes hours.
Chrome extensions are one of the most popular vibe coding projects. Tab managers, ad blockers, productivity timers, screenshot tools, and AI assistants — all built by people who had never created a browser extension before.
The biggest risk in vibe coding is shipping code you cannot debug. If the AI generates something and you have no idea what it does, ask the AI to explain it. Say: "Explain this code line by line." Over time, you will learn the patterns and understand what you are shipping.
Always use git. Commit frequently. Before asking the AI to make big changes, commit your current working version. If the AI breaks something, you can always go back. This is non-negotiable.
Start small. Build a single page, then a two-page site, then a simple app. Do not try to build "the next Uber" as your first vibe coding project. Complexity grows fast, and AI output quality degrades as projects get larger without careful management.
AI-generated code sometimes includes hardcoded API keys, insecure form handling, or missing input validation. Always review for security issues. Never put secrets in client-side code. Use environment variables for anything sensitive.
AI-generated sites often look great on desktop and broken on mobile. Always test on a real phone or use browser dev tools (F12 > toggle device toolbar). Tell the AI specifically how you want the mobile layout to work.
Read our deep-dive guides on vibe coding tools, prompts, and workflows. Free on spunk.codes.
Full Vibe Coding Guide 50 Vibe Coding ToolsYou now understand what vibe coding is, which tools to use, and how to build your first project. Here is where to go next:
Build something. Right now. Do not read 10 more articles. Open Claude Code, Cursor, or Bolt.new and describe the simplest thing you want to build. A personal page. A calculator. A quiz. The act of building teaches you more than any guide. Start with the tutorial above and iterate from there.
Everything you need to start vibe coding is free. Claude Code, VS Code, GitHub Pages, and 200+ tools on spunk.codes. No excuses. No expenses. Just build.
Explore Free Tools Read More GuidesFree tools & resources
Digital art & NFTs
Free crypto casino
Code & tech predictions
© 2026 SpunkArt · Follow us on X @SpunkArt13