The rise of AI has introduced a fascinating new term into the developer lexicon: "Vibe Coding." Coined to describe a workflow where a developer guides an AI to write code using natural language, it represents a major shift from traditional, hands-on programming. As Andrej Karpathy put it, "It's not really coding - I just see things, say things, run things, and copy-paste things, and it mostly works".
This new method sits in stark contrast to the deliberate practice that has long been the cornerstone of developing software expertise. This raises a critical question for modern developers: should you lean into the vibe, or stick to the fundamentals? The answer, as with most things in tech, is to find the right balance.
What is Vibe Coding?
Vibe coding refers to a process where the developer acts as a director, and the AI is the programmer. Instead of writing lines of code, the developer explains the desired logic, features, and outcomes in plain language. The AI then translates these instructions into functional code.
Pros:
- Incredible Speed: It can dramatically accelerate the process of generating boilerplate, building simple components, or exploring new technologies.
- Lowering Barriers: It makes it easier to experiment with a language or framework you've never used before.
Cons:
- Risk of Skill Stagnation: The main controversy around vibe coding is that it can lead to a shallow understanding of the code being produced. If you only direct and never write, you risk losing touch with the fundamental principles of programming.
- Accountability: Ultimately, you are responsible for the code you ship. Relying entirely on an AI without understanding its output is a risky proposition, especially when it comes to debugging and maintenance.
The Enduring Value of Deliberate Practice
While AI is a powerful assistant, it is not a replacement for a developer's logic and foundational knowledge. Before you can effectively manage an AI, you must first have a solid grasp of coding fundamentals.
Deliberate practice—the act of manually writing code, solving problems, and debugging errors—builds the intuition and deep technical understanding that AI currently lacks. It's through this process that you learn to think about architecture, performance, and security in a way that an AI, trained on a vast but generic dataset, cannot. AI is the copilot, but you must remain the pilot.
Striking the Perfect Balance
The most effective developers will be those who blend the speed of vibe coding with the rigor of deliberate practice. Here's how to balance the two:
- Use Vibe Coding for Exploration: When you need to learn a new programming language or a new technology, vibe coding is an excellent way to get started. It allows you to see working examples and understand the syntax quickly.
- Use Deliberate Practice for Core Logic: When working on complex algorithms, critical business logic, or performance-sensitive parts of your application, switch to a more hands-on approach. This is where your deep understanding and problem-solving skills are most valuable.
- Let AI Handle the Repetitive Tasks: Use AI to generate boilerplate code, write documentation, or create unit tests. This frees up your mental energy to focus on higher-level architectural decisions.
- Always Review and Refactor: Treat any code generated by AI as if it were written by a junior developer. Review it, understand it, and refactor it to meet your project's standards.
Ultimately, AI is a tool to make you a better, faster developer—not to do the job for you. By using vibe coding to accelerate exploration and deliberate practice to deepen your expertise, you can stay relevant and highly effective in the rapidly evolving world of software development.