Vibe coding: what is the fuss all about?
Vibe coding is reshaping how people with no coding experience bring tech ideas to life. Instead of writing code line by line, you describe what you want, and AI builds it.
For growth marketers, especially, this shift isn’t abstract – it’s happening now. Vibe coding means skipping the dev queue and building what you need for your marketing, fast.
Stick to find out more about how to do that.
What Is Vibe Coding?
Vibe coding is a software-building method where AI generates code based on natural language prompts. So, instead of hand-writing every line, you describe the outcome you want, and the AI writes functional code to match.
The phrase gained traction this year, after it was coined by Andrej Karpathy (former Director of AI @ Tesla, founding team @ OpenAI), but the shift is real.
Now, with tools like ChatGPT, Cursor, and Replit, non-engineers can generate full-stack applications, scripts, and workflows by interacting with AI in plain language. Accordingly, marketers are using it to build lead capture tools, reporting dashboards, automations, and browser extensions – things that once required (a lot of) dev time.
Why Vibe Coding Matters for (Growth) Marketing
As you probably already know, “growth hacking is data-driven marketing that uses rapid experimentation and low-budget tactics to determine the most effective ways to grow a business.”. Vibe coding helps exactly with the “rapid part.”
As vibe coding slashes dev timelines from weeks to days, that means more testing, faster feedback loops, and quicker pivots. For growth teams that live by experimentation unlocks an entirely new pace.
No-code tools pushed that trend further. Vibe coding accelerates it. Now, marketers can step directly into hands-on technical work, without waiting for engineering.
It also removes a major bottleneck: dependence on engineers. If you can describe what you want clearly, you can start building it. That means your instincts, not your backlog, determine what gets tested.
This approach also integrates seamlessly with AI-native workflows marketers are already using – copywriting, image generation, and segmentation. With vibe coding, the same prompt-first logic extends to building the tools that power your campaigns.
That’s why we built Programming for Marketers – a dedicated course specifically for non-developer marketers.
Programming for Marketers fills the gap between strategy and execution, giving marketers the confidence to build what they imagine, not just brief it.
How to Build Anything with Vibe Coding [In 9 Steps]
So, how can you actually start building something with vibe coding? Here’s the step-by-step guide.
1. Define the problem
Start with a specific, outcome-focused statement. What exactly do you want the app or script to do? Be as clear as possible about the functionality, inputs, and outputs.
For example: “Monitor competitor Google Ads campaigns and alert me in Slack when a new one goes live.” Write down key requirements, even in plain language. Include any technical constraints, like APIs to integrate or platforms it needs to run on.
This upfront clarity will shape every AI prompt you write. In vibe coding, you’re the strategist, so set the direction with intent.
2. Choose your tool
Once you’ve defined what you’re building, pick the right tool to match the scope. If you’re generating one-off scripts or logic flows, ChatGPT or Claude may be enough.
For hands-on coding with live previews, tools like Replit or Cursor give you more control. If you’re creating full-stack apps or internal tools, try Bolt, Lovable, or GPT Pilot.
More on vibe coding tools in the next section (6 Popular Tools for Vibe Coding).
3. Prompt in steps
Don’t try to build everything at once. Break the solution into logical parts and prompt the AI one step at a time. Start with the core function, get it working, then add enhancements.
For instance, ask: “Write a Python script that fetches new campaigns from the Google Ads API.” Once that works, prompt: “Now send the campaign names and budgets to Slack using a webhook.”
The more specific your prompt, the better the result. Describe the tools, libraries, or format you want. Then iterate, just like you would with a human developer.
4. Prototype quickly
Once the core logic works, get a rough version running. Focus on function over form. If there’s a UI, sketch a layout or describe it clearly in your prompt.
Early testing will catch edge cases, misunderstandings, and missing steps. The goal here isn’t polish – it’s validation. You want to know: does this basically do what I asked?
Keep prompts short and focused. Stay close to the build so you can spot what’s off and correct it early.
5. Build it out and host
After the prototype works, expand to full functionality. Ask the AI to generate modules, files, or components you still need. Tools like Replit or Cursor can scaffold projects with frontend, backend, and database logic from your prompts.
Then deploy. Platforms like Replit offer one-click hosting. Others let you export and deploy on Vercel, Render, or your own environment. In many cases, the AI can help configure deployment scripts or containers.
The key here is getting something usable live – so you can test it in a real-world setting fast.
6. Debug and refine
Now use the app as a real user would. When something breaks, copy the error message and ask the AI to fix it. If behavior feels off, describe what you expected and let the AI revise the logic.
You can also request refactors: “Make this function easier to read,” or “Handle null values gracefully.” Over time, you’ll build the habit of debugging through conversation – and refining without rewriting everything yourself.
7. Handle errors after launch
Even in production, bugs will surface. In this stage, you’ll need to capture the scenario and prompt the AI with specifics.
For example: “The app throws this error when the form is submitted with an empty email field. Add validation to prevent it.” The AI can usually generate a fix on the spot.
Always test changes, and consider version control. Save checkpoints after big updates so you can roll back if something breaks.
8. Explore advanced workflows
As you get comfortable, explore multi-agent workflows and AI integrations. Some teams now use separate agents for planning, coding, and testing. Others combine vibe-coded scripts with automation platforms like Zapier or Make.com.
You can also fine-tune AI output with custom docs, test specs, or prompt templates. This expands your range – from quick tools to more complex systems.
Just know where to draw the line. For mission-critical builds, vibe coding can jumpstart development – but you may still want human review for stability or security.
9. Document and reuse
Once a tool works, document how to use it. Write a clear README. Add comments to the code. Save your prompts as templates.
This isn’t just for others – it’s for you, six months from now. Well-documented builds are easier to improve, hand off, or reuse in future projects.
Also, consider sharing your tools internally. A well-structured prototype can spark collaboration or evolve into a fully supported product with dev buy-in.
6 Popular Tools for Vibe Coding
If you’re ready to start vibe coding, these six tools are the ones marketers and makers rely on most.
1. Replit
Replit is one of the most accessible vibe coding environments out there. It runs in your browser, no setup needed, and comes with a built-in AI pair programmer that scaffolds, writes, and even deploys code from plain prompts. You describe what the app should do – Replit takes care of the structure, dependencies, and file management.
What makes it especially marketer-friendly is its all-in-one nature. You can start with a blank project, use prebuilt templates, or fork from the community showcase. Its AI Agent can create backend logic, frontend components, and deployment scripts without leaving the interface.
Replit supports multiple languages, integrates with APIs, and has one-click hosting – ideal for building lead capture tools, internal dashboards, or lightweight SaaS prototypes.
2. Cursor
Cursor turns VS Code into a full AI development partner. It looks like a code editor, but acts like a co-founder that understands your entire project.
Built for speed and context, Cursor lets you prompt in plain language inside your codebase. You can ask it to explain code, fix bugs, or refactor messy logic across multiple files. Marketers with some tech comfort will appreciate its balance: you stay in control of the code, but let the AI handle the heavy lifting.
Cursor also includes Composer mode, which plans and executes large edits, giving you scalable momentum without slowing down for syntax.
3. ChatGPT (GPT‑4)
ChatGPT is the fastest way to go from idea to working code – no IDE, no setup, just prompt and go. You describe what you want, and GPT‑4 returns runnable code you can copy, test, and iterate.
This makes it a natural fit for vibe coding. You can build scrapers, data processors, or full interfaces just by having a conversation. If something breaks, paste in the error. If the output’s close but not quite there, clarify your prompt. It’s a full feedback loop – like pair programming with a tireless assistant.
It’s also where many growth marketers start. Whether building internal tools or client-facing microscripts, ChatGPT handles the draft so you can focus on what matters: speed, logic, and results.
4. GitHub Copilot
Copilot lives inside your code editor, filling in the blanks as you build. It reads your comments, anticipates functions, and completes logic as you go.
While it’s not a standalone builder like ChatGPT or Replit, Copilot excels at refining and accelerating hands-on development. You might start writing a function – “fetch Twitter mentions and log to Notion” – and Copilot will finish it before you do.
With Copilot Chat, you can also troubleshoot in real time: “Why is this loop failing on null input?” or “Make this block more readable.” For growth pros comfortable inside VS Code, Copilot adds momentum and strips out boilerplate.
5. Lovable
Lovable blends no-code design with AI-powered backend generation. You start by describing what you want – a CRM, a form, a dashboard – and Lovable builds it visually, from frontend layout to database logic.
Unlike pure no-code tools, Lovable also lets you fine-tune with AI prompts. You can adjust workflows, edit logic, or add features like user auth or notifications – all without touching raw code. It’s a strong pick for marketers who want visual clarity and AI horsepower. You’re not stuck in a black box, but you don’t need to write everything manually either.
Whether it’s a quick MVP or an internal tool, Lovable gives you full-stack power with a no-code feel.
6. Bolt
Bolt is built for one thing: speed. You describe the app – features, layout, logic, and Bolt generates the full-stack code in seconds. Frontend, backend, database, and even deployment setup. All scaffolded and ready.
There’s no UI builder or drag-and-drop here. Bolt is pure prompt-to-code. That makes it ideal for marketers who know what they want but don’t want to start from zero. Think landing pages, mini SaaS tools, or campaign-specific microapps.
The output usually needs cleanup – styling tweaks, logic edits – but paired with ChatGPT or Cursor, that’s fast work. For campaigns with short timelines or experiments, you need live today; it cuts the build time to minutes.
Conclusion
Vibe coding closes the gap between idea and execution. Instead of waiting on dev teams, growth pros can now build, test, and iterate directly.
Whether it’s internal dashboards, social bots, or even full SaaS apps, vibe coding unlocks a new layer of autonomy for all marketers, as well as many other professionals out there.
Want to go deeper? Check out Programming for Marketers – a hands-on course built for marketers who want to build smarter and faster using AI.
Need help applying this in your team? See how we can help integrate AI into your stack and unlock new capabilities across your growth workflow.
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I write for GrowthRocks, one of the top growth hacking agencies. For some mysterious reason, I write on the internet yet I’m not a vegan, I don’t do yoga and I don’t drink smoothies.
