Hello!

If you want to get started coding with AI using Vibe Coding, this guide walks you through everything step‑by‑step: what it is, how to start, and how to actually build something with it even if you’re new to programming.

# 1. What Is Vibe Coding?

Vibe Coding is a style and (in some tools, a name) for using AI as your coding partner. Instead of staring at a blank editor, you:

  • Describe what you want in natural language
  • Let AI generate or refactor code
  • Iterate quickly using chat + code side by side

It’s similar to using tools like:

But the key “vibe” is: fast feedback + conversation + experimentation. You ask, AI tries; you run, debug, refine.

# 2. Prerequisites: What You Need to Begin

You don’t need much to start coding with AI:

  1. A code editor

  2. An AI coding assistant (pick one to start):

  3. Basic comfort with the command line (optional but helpful):

    • cd, ls, mkdir, npm, python, etc.

You don’t need to be an expert programmer. AI can help you learn the basics while building real things.

# 3. Setting Up: Step-by-Step

# 3.1 Install VS Code (or Cursor)

Follow the installer steps for your OS (Windows, macOS, Linux).

# 3.2 Add an AI Coding Extension (If Using VS Code)

In VS Code:

  1. Open the Extensions panel (Ctrl+Shift+X or Cmd+Shift+X).
  2. Search for:
    • GitHub Copilot, or
    • Codeium, or
    • Continue, or other AI assistant.
  3. Click Install and follow the login/authorization flow.

Full setup guides:

If you chose Cursor, AI is built in; just sign in and you’re ready.

# 4. Your First AI-Assisted Coding Session (Vibe Coding Flow)

Here’s a simple way to start “vibe coding” with AI.

# 4.1 Create a New Project

Example: a tiny website that shows a random quote.

  1. Create a folder, e.g., ai-vibe-quote-app
  2. Open it in VS Code or Cursor.
  3. Create these files:
    • index.html
    • style.css
    • script.js

# 4.2 Talk to the AI: Describe the Vibe

Open your AI chat inside the editor and paste something like:

I’m a beginner. Help me build a simple web page using index.html, style.css, and script.js that:

  • Shows a random motivational quote
  • Has a centered card with nice, modern styling
  • Has a button “New Quote” that changes the quote Explain each step as you go so I can learn.

This is the core of vibe coding: describe, generate, test, refine.

# 4.3 Let AI Generate the Initial Code

The AI will typically give you:

  • index.html structure
  • style.css for layout and colors
  • script.js for logic

Paste the code into your files (or use the “Insert” buttons if your tool provides them).

# 5. Example: Minimal Starter Code (So You Can Compare)

Here’s a simple version you can use or compare with what your AI generates.

index.html:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="UTF-8" />
  <title>Vibe Coding Quotes</title>
  <link rel="stylesheet" href="style.css" />
</head>
<body>
  <div class="app">
    <h1>Vibe Coding with AI</h1>
    <div class="card">
      <p id="quote"></p>
      <button id="new-quote">New Quote</button>
    </div>
  </div>
  <script src="script.js"></script>
</body>
</html>

style.css:

* {
  box-sizing: border-box;
  margin: 0;
  padding: 0;
  font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", sans-serif;
}

body {
  min-height: 100vh;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  background: radial-gradient(circle at top, #1f2933, #111827);
  color: #f9fafb;
}

.app {
  text-align: center;
}

h1 {
  margin-bottom: 1.5rem;
  font-size: 1.8rem;
}

.card {
  background: rgba(15, 23, 42, 0.9);
  padding: 2rem;
  border-radius: 1rem;
  box-shadow: 0 20px 40px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5);
  max-width: 420px;
  width: 100%;
}

# quote {
  font-size: 1.1rem;
  margin-bottom: 1.5rem;
  line-height: 1.6;
}

button {
  border: none;
  padding: 0.75rem 1.5rem;
  border-radius: 999px;
  background: linear-gradient(135deg, #6366f1, #ec4899);
  color: white;
  font-weight: 600;
  cursor: pointer;
  transition: transform 0.12s ease, box-shadow 0.12s ease, opacity 0.12s ease;
}

button:hover {
  transform: translateY(-1px);
  box-shadow: 0 12px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4);
  opacity: 0.95;
}

button:active {
  transform: translateY(0);
  box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4);
}

script.js:

const quotes = [
  "Code with curiosity, not fear.",
  "Let AI handle the boring parts so you can focus on the ideas.",
  "Small projects, repeated often, beat big plans never started.",
  "Read the errors: they’re your roadmap, not your enemies.",
  "The best way to learn to code is to actually ship something."
];

const quoteElement = document.getElementById("quote");
const button = document.getElementById("new-quote");

function showRandomQuote() {
  const index = Math.floor(Math.random() * quotes.length);
  quoteElement.textContent = quotes[index];
}

// initial quote
showRandomQuote();

button.addEventListener("click", showRandomQuote);

Open index.html in your browser. You now have a working mini‑app.

Next step: iterate with AI:

Make the background darker and the card glassy.
Add a smooth fade animation when the quote changes.
Suggest 10 more quotes and update the array.

Let the AI update your CSS and JS, then you test and tweak.

# 6. How to “Think” When Vibe Coding With AI

To get high-quality results, focus on how you prompt and iterate.

# 6.1 Use Structured Prompts

Instead of “help,” try:

I’m building a small web app in HTML/CSS/JS.
Current behavior: [describe].
I want to add: [feature].
Constraints: keep it beginner-friendly and explain the changes in comments.
Here is my current script.js:

// code here

This gives AI context, goal, and constraints.

# 6.2 Iterate in Short Loops

  1. Ask for a small change
  2. Let AI propose code
  3. Paste/insert and run
  4. If it breaks, paste the error message and current code and ask:

Here’s the exact error + my current file.
Explain what’s wrong and show me the fixed version, with comments.

# 7. Common Beginner-Friendly Project Ideas With AI

These are ideal for vibe coding sessions:

  • To‑Do List App
  • Pomodoro Timer
  • Simple Budget Tracker
  • Habit Tracker
  • Flashcard Study App
  • Markdown Note Viewer

For each, you can start with:

Help me create a very simple [project] using pure HTML/CSS/JS.
Break the work into small steps.
After each step, wait for me to confirm before going on.

You can also explore beginner project ideas here:

# 8. Tips for Learning Effectively While Using AI

AI can make you productive, but you still want to learn.

  1. Ask for explanations

    • “Explain this code line by line.”
    • “What are the tradeoffs of this approach?”

  2. Ask for variations

    • “Show an alternative solution that is simpler, even if less efficient.”

  3. Rewrite in your own words

    • After AI explains something, summarize in a comment in the code.

  4. Experiment deliberately

    • Change values, break things on purpose, see what happens.
    • Ask: “Why did the app behave like this when I changed X?”

  5. Use official docs in parallel

# 9. Using AI to Learn a New Language Step-by-Step

If you’re totally new to coding, pick one beginner-friendly language:

  • For web: JavaScript
  • For general purpose: Python

Then tell the AI:

I’m a complete beginner to programming and I want to learn [JavaScript/Python] using lots of small practical examples.
Give me a roadmap of 10 steps, from basics to a tiny project, and stay with me through each step.

Possible roadmap:

  1. Variables and types
  2. Conditionals (if, else)
  3. Loops
  4. Functions
  5. Arrays / lists
  6. Objects / dictionaries
  7. DOM manipulation (for JS)
  8. Simple API call
  9. Small project (e.g., quote app, weather app)
  10. Refactor and clean up with comments

You can also follow public roadmaps and ask AI to “teach me this step”:

# 10. Next Steps: Level Up Your AI Coding Vibes

Once you’re comfortable with basic AI-assisted coding, try:

  • Using APIs

  • Connecting front-end + back-end

    • Ask AI to help you create a simple REST API using:
      • Node.js + Express
      • or Python + FastAPI / Flask

  • Automating boring tasks

    • Generate scripts that:
      • Rename files
      • Clean up CSV data
      • Send basic notifications

Whenever you’re stuck, use AI like a mentor:

I’m stuck on [problem].
Here is my code and the error/output.
Walk me through debugging it as if I’m new to programming.

If you tell me:

  • what device/OS you’re on (Windows/macOS/Linux), and
  • which language you’d like to start with (Python or JavaScript)

I can give you a concrete, copy‑paste‑ready setup + first project plan tailored to you, fully driven by AI vibe coding.