As an engineer, I’ve spent years building and debugging software. But recently, I did something different — I guided a non-engineer to build a fully functional app without writing a single line of code. He “vibe coded” it.
And if he can, you can too — even if you’ve never opened a code editor before. In this article, I’ll show you what vibe coding is, how it works, and how you can start building apps with nothing more than clear instructions and curiosity.
What Is “Vibe Coding”?
Vibe Coding is the art of building software through natural language. Instead of manually typing code, you describe what you want your app to do — and an AI tool (like ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini) writes the entire code for you.
It’s like having a personal software engineer who listens to your ideas …
As an engineer, I’ve spent years building and debugging software. But recently, I did something different — I guided a non-engineer to build a fully functional app without writing a single line of code. He “vibe coded” it.
And if he can, you can too — even if you’ve never opened a code editor before. In this article, I’ll show you what vibe coding is, how it works, and how you can start building apps with nothing more than clear instructions and curiosity.
What Is “Vibe Coding”?
Vibe Coding is the art of building software through natural language. Instead of manually typing code, you describe what you want your app to do — and an AI tool (like ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini) writes the entire code for you.
It’s like having a personal software engineer who listens to your ideas and turns them into deployable projects instantly.
Think of it as prompt engineering for software creation.
You focus on the concept and functionality, while AI handles the translation into code.
How It Works
Here’s the basic process:
Describe the app you want to build in plain English.
The AI generates the code based on your instructions.
You copy and run that code in an online editor like Replit, StackBlitz, or VS Code.
You test and tweak it by refining your prompt.
You don’t need to understand syntax or frameworks. Your main job is to communicate clearly to give the AI enough context to build what you imagine.
My Experiment: Building a Personal Finance Tracker
To show how simple this can be, I recently built a Personal Finance Tracker through vibe coding — and guided a non-engineer to do the same.
Here’s the exact prompt I used:
The Prompt
_“Kindly write a full ready-to-deploy React + Tailwind code file (index.tsx) for a Personal Finance Tracker. What it does: Lets users add income and expenses, categorize them, and see a running balance + pie chart. Features: Add transaction (description, amount, category)
Display a summary (total income, total expense, balance)
Store data in localStorage
Use Recharts (free chart library) for simple graphs” _
The Result
In seconds, the AI generated a complete React + Tailwind app, including: A form to add transactions
A summary section with totals and balances
Local storage integration
A pie chart using Recharts to visualize spending categories
After copying the generated code into an online editor, the app was up and running, no manual debugging, no setup hassle.
Why Vibe Coding Matters
Vibe Coding is reshaping how we build technology. It’s not just a shortcut — it’s a bridge between ideas and execution. For non-engineers, it removes the fear of code. For engineers like me, it speeds up experimentation and lets us focus on creativity instead of syntax.
This means: Faster MVPs and prototypes
Lower entry barriers for innovators
More inclusive participation in software creation
In short: you bring the vision, AI brings the execution.
Tips for Successful Vibe Coding
- Be specific. The more clearly you describe your idea, the better the AI’s code output will be. Mention frameworks, features, and visual expectations.
Iterate patiently. The first output might not be perfect. Refine your prompt until the app behaves exactly as you want.
Learn by observing. Even if you’re not a developer, studying the generated code helps you understand app logic intuitively.
Think like a designer. Focus on user experience and function — not syntax.
The Future of Software Creation As an engineer, I see vibe coding not as a replacement for traditional development but as an evolution of it. It transforms software building into a collaboration between human creativity and machine intelligence. Developers gain speed. Non-developers gain access. And together, they build more — faster. The barrier between “idea” and “app” is disappearing. The future of coding is conversational, visual, and accessible.
Final Thoughts You don’t have to be an engineer to build something meaningful. But it helps to think like one — to imagine, describe, and refine. With vibe coding, your words are the new code. So go ahead: open an AI tool, type your idea, and watch your app come to life. Because in this new era of creation, if you can describe it, you can build it.
About the Author Victoria Odeh is a software engineer specializing in PHP and Laravel, with a passion for building solutions that bridge people and technology. Beyond coding, she’s a writer and published author who loves sharing ideas that inspire innovation and inclusion. She’s also active in community service, mentoring and empowering others to explore technology and creativity. Follow her for more insights on women in tech, software development, and the future of no-code creation.