Vibe Coding: A Gateway for Non-Technical Individuals
Vibe coding is becoming a transformative avenue for individuals previously disengaged from technology.
Initially perceived as a niche for developers experimenting with tools, vibe coding has evolved into a mechanism for a burgeoning community of non-technical enthusiasts, empowering them to actualize their ideas, streamline workflows, and embark on creative ventures.
Four individuals shared their experiences with Business Insider, illustrating how they turned aspirations into applications while balancing their professional responsibilities with parenting duties.
The Product Designer Who Created a Dog Identification App
Cynthia Chen developed Dog-e-dex from scratch, utilizing vibe coding. Carolyn Fong for BI
Cynthia Chen, a product designer, had long nurtured the ambition of creating an app to catalogue dogs encountered.
Over two months, during her leisure time, she crafted Dog-e-dex: an iOS application that allows users to photograph dogs, ascertain their breed, and maintain their profiles.
Although based in San Francisco and lacking formal programming training, she turned to platforms such as Replit, ChatGPT, and Cursor. The breakthrough came when she encountered Anthropic’s Claude in January.
She began transferring the code generated by Claude into Xcode—Apple’s app development environment—even if the underlying mechanics puzzled her. “It was akin to magic,” she remarked.
“Each time I pressed the preview button, it felt like unwrapping a delightful gift,” she said.
Chen suggested that aspiring coders should engage in prompt engineering with AI as if employing “gentle parenting.” Cynthia Chen compared effective prompting to “gentle parenting.”Carolyn Fong for BI
“Intentionality and specificity are paramount, as well as a kind demeanor,” she advised.
Occasionally, AI requires encouragement; when Claude experienced difficulties, she meticulously clarified her instructions.
The Mother Who Developed an App for Emotional Regulation
Feeling overwhelmed emotionally, Karima Williams sought solace in Claude, which became instrumental in her emotional processing—a facet she wasn’t yet ready to articulate.
The 34-year-old Maryland mother recounted that conversing with AI enhanced her parenting capabilities, acting as her emotional reset mechanism before assuming her maternal role.
Recognizing the therapeutic potential of Claude, Williams’ vibe coded a web application aimed at assisting users to offload and manage their emotions.
To facilitate communication with Claude, she instructed the AI to communicate with her as if she were a teenager, explaining that it alleviated her feelings of being overwhelmed when structuring tasks.
“I often ask it to convey information incrementally, as too much at once can be daunting,” she noted.
Moreover, rather than typing, Williams preferred dictating her thoughts to AI.
“This method exponentially eases my ability to express my needs and convey context,” she elaborated, estimating that approximately 90% of her interactions with AI are verbal.
The Accountant Who Codes Post Bedtime
Wei Khjan Chan feared that AI might render his accounting skills obsolete, prompting him to embrace vibe coding. Amrita Chandras for BI
With nearly two decades of experience in accounting—a field often viewed as susceptible to automation—Wei Khjan Chan sought to remain competitive.
After participating in coding workshops in June, the audit partner at a Malaysian advisory firm ventured into vibe coding to amplify his contributions within the discipline.
“I wish I had embraced AI earlier, as it would enable me to remain relevant rather than face displacement,” the 39-year-old expressed.
Chan engineered a web application to expedite expense claim processing post-business trips. By leveraging AI-driven optical character recognition, the app scans receipts and auto-sorts them into the appropriate files for the finance team.
He also harnessed AI to streamline his workflow, including invoice generation. “Without the tools and skill set associated with vibe coding, an accountant cannot accomplish this,” he affirmed.
Initially, when experimenting with AI, Chan received advice to provide elaborate prompts. However, he later discovered that simpler, iterative requests yielded more effective results.
“The inaugural prompt is critical in establishing a solid foundation,” he said. Subsequent adjustments are best made in small increments to avoid overwhelming the AI. Wei Khjan Chan automated expense claim filings through Vibe coding. Amrita Chandras for BI
For debugging, Chan monitors any changes in error messages, which signal AI’s engagement in problem-solving. Persistent issues lead him to reset the chat and rephrase the request with new examples.
Vibe coding, according to Chan, doesn’t necessitate excessive toil. A father of two, he typically engages in vibe coding after his children retire for the night, gradually enhancing features or refining processes.
“It resembles gameplay,” he remarked.
The HR Professional Who Likens AI to an ‘Eager Intern.’
While on maternity leave, Laura Zaccaria, a Singaporean HR specialist, self-taught herself to construct an AI-assisted web application.
In June, the new mother enrolled in a coding class, ultimately designing a family meal planning tool.
Her vibe coding sessions predominantly took place in the evenings or during her baby’s naptime, with her husband assuming caregiving responsibilities on weekends.
Learning Vibe coding bolstered Zaccaria’s confidence, illustrating her potential for personal and professional growth amid motherhood.
During her coding endeavors, she occasionally found herself ensnared in loops. She described AI as a young, overly enthusiastic intern.
“Knowing when to pause for reflection is crucial: Where had I faltered in clarity?” she urged. “At times, it’s perfectly acceptable to discard the entire dialogue and restart.”
“It became apparent that my phrasing was sometimes inadequate or that I had requested too much. Consequently, I needed to segment my inquiries,” she reflected.
Source link: Tech.yahoo.com.
