How to start vibe coding (a practical first project)

Updated Oct 26, 2026 · Sources listed at the end

To start vibe coding, pick a small, low-stakes idea, open an AI app builder or AI code editor that has a free plan, describe what you want in plain language, then test the result and ask for changes until it works. Karpathy, who coined the term, described it as fine for “throwaway weekend projects”.¹

Step by step

1. Choose a tool. Prompt-to-app builders need no setup; AI editors and CLI agents give you more control. Our free vibe coding tools list shows which have verified free plans.
2. Describe the app, not the code. Say what the user sees and does. Lovable’s prompting guide, for example, recommends stating placement, style and context for a change.²
3. Run it and react. Test in the preview; describe what is wrong, one change at a time.
4. Keep a copy. Export or connect to Git so you can roll back.

Before you share it

Vibe-coded apps can ship with security holes. A 2025 report found 170 of 1,645 Lovable-created apps had an issue exposing personal data.¹ Do not put real user data or secrets in a vibe-coded app until someone has reviewed it. See is vibe coding safe?.

Learn more

Vibe coding courses and vibe coding prompts.

Tools mentioned

• Lovable: free plan, paid from $25/mo
• Bolt.new: free plan, paid from $25/mo
• Replit Agent: free plan, paid from $20/mo
• v0: free plan, paid from $30/mo
• Base44: free plan, paid from $16/mo

Sources

1. Wikipedia: Vibe coding
2. Lovable docs: Prompting best practices