Vibe Coding.

A style of software development where a developer describes intent in natural language and an AI tool writes the code — shifting the developer's role from typing code to directing an AI.

Vibe coding is a term coined by Andrej Karpathy in February 2025 to describe a new mode of programming where the developer communicates intent ('the vibe') and lets AI tools generate the implementation. The developer reviews, tests, and iterates rather than writing every line. Tools like Cursor, Windsurf, Bolt.new, and Lovable enable this workflow.

The term captures a real shift in how many developers work: rather than remembering exact API syntax or debugging line by line, vibe coding involves high-level direction — 'make the sidebar collapsible' or 'add authentication to the signup route' — and trusting the AI to handle the implementation details. Speed of iteration increases dramatically; deep expertise in every API is less critical.

Critics note that vibe coding can produce code the developer doesn't fully understand, creating maintenance and debugging challenges later. The most effective practitioners treat vibe coding as augmentation rather than replacement — they read and understand AI-generated code, catch errors before committing, and maintain architectural ownership even when not writing every line.