Vibe Coding Tips

How to vibe-code successfully

Spend enough time to map the application structure. Map the layout, the user flows, the look and feel, etc.
Learn what a PRD is.
Give as much context as possible to the AI. Reference screens, what you see and what you expect.
The AI struggles when you try to change something, once the application has been fleshed out.
Don't be afraid to ask the AI how things work.
When you get stuck, ask ChatGPT. Give as much context as possible.
Learn how to rollback. Do it as many times as needed.
Don't be afraid to restart your project.
Learn how to use Cursor or Windsurf. You can finish up the last 20% with these tools.
Learn software development basics. Learn how to use git, Github, environment variables, etc.
If you need help, each platform has a Discord server.
If you need more help, check out fixvibedcode.com.
Don't over think it. Move fast and break things.

Don't leave API keys, tokens or secrets in the source code.
Ask the AI to scan the code for security vulnerabilities.
Learn how environment variables work.
An easy way to prevent your endpoints from being abused is to add authentication.
Don't worry about scalability until you get 100 active users.

Lovable seems to be the less intimidating one.
Lovable produces the most beautiful UIs.
Replit is more powerful, but it's a little intimidating.
Bolt is somewhere in between. People seem to use it for mobile apps.
Cursor and Windsurf are proper IDEs (Integrated Development Environments) and very similar to each other.
Developers use IDEs (I use Cursor!).
Cursor and Windsurf are the most powerful ones. Successful vibe coders do 50-80% in the browser and switch over to an IDE.
The vibe coder journey seems to be: Lovable -> Bolt/Replit -> Cursor/Windsurf -> learn software development basics.