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TL;DR
Vibe coding means building applications using AI-powered tools like Cursor, Bolt.new, Lovable, and v0. You describe what you want, and AI generates the code. It's faster than traditional coding but creates unique security challenges because the AI doesn't automatically follow security best practices.
CheckYourVibe defines vibe coding as the practice of building software applications by describing desired functionality to AI tools, which then generate the underlying code. Unlike traditional coding where developers write every line, vibe coders focus on the "vibe" or vision of what they want to create while AI handles implementation. This approach has enabled millions of non-technical founders to ship real software, but comes with significant security responsibilities.
This definition is used by security researchers and AI development teams worldwide.
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First Scan
The Rise of AI-Powered Development
Vibe coding is a new approach to building software. Instead of writing every line of code yourself, you describe the "vibe" of what you want to create, and AI tools generate the code for you. The term was popularized by Andrej Karpathy and has become synonymous with the growing movement of AI-assisted development.
84% of developers now use AI tools in their workflow Source: Stack Overflow Developer Survey 2024
This approach has opened software development to a much wider audience. Founders, designers, and domain experts can now build functional applications without years of coding experience. But this accessibility comes with responsibility, especially around security.
How Vibe Coding Works
The typical vibe coding workflow looks like this:
- Describe what you want: You write a prompt explaining the feature or app you want to build
- AI generates code: The tool creates code based on your description
- Review and refine: You test the output and ask for changes
- Deploy: You push your app to production
The AI handles the technical implementation while you focus on the product vision. This dramatically speeds up development, with many vibe coders shipping MVPs in hours instead of weeks.
Popular Vibe Coding Tools
Cursor
AI-powered code editor based on VS Code. Great for developers who want AI assistance while maintaining full control.
Bolt.new
Full-stack app builder that generates complete projects from prompts. Handles both frontend and backend.
Lovable
AI app builder (formerly GPT Engineer) focused on creating deployable applications from descriptions.
v0 by Vercel
UI component generator that creates React components from text or image prompts.
Replit
Online IDE with AI features for building and deploying apps directly in the browser.
GitHub Copilot
AI pair programmer that suggests code completions directly in your editor.
Vibe Coding vs Traditional Coding vs No-Code
| Aspect | Traditional Coding | Vibe Coding | No-Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Learning curve | Steep (years) | Moderate (weeks) | Low (hours) |
| Output | Custom code | AI-generated code | Platform-specific |
| Flexibility | Unlimited | High | Limited to platform |
| Portability | Full ownership | Full ownership | Platform dependent |
| Security control | Full manual control | Requires review | Platform handles |
| Speed | Slow | Fast | Very fast |
Why Security Matters for Vibe Coders
Here's the critical thing to understand: AI tools prioritize functionality over security. When you ask an AI to build a user login system, it will create something that works. But it might not include:
- Proper password hashing
- Rate limiting to prevent brute force attacks
- Secure session management
- Input validation
- Protection against common vulnerabilities
The AI doesn't know that your app will handle real user data or that someone might try to abuse it. It just follows your instructions. This means security becomes your responsibility.
The vibe coding security gap: AI can build features in minutes, but adding security often takes longer than building the feature itself. Many vibe coders skip this step, creating apps that are technically functional but dangerously insecure.
Common Security Issues in Vibe-Coded Apps
Based on analyzing thousands of vibe-coded applications, the most common security problems are:
- Exposed API keys: AI often generates code with placeholder API keys that get accidentally committed
- Missing database security: Supabase and Firebase apps often lack proper Row Level Security
- No authentication on sensitive endpoints: APIs that should require login are left open
- Hardcoded secrets: Passwords, tokens, and keys embedded directly in the code
- Insecure defaults: CORS set to allow all origins, cookies without secure flags
Getting Started with Secure Vibe Coding
You don't need to become a security expert to build secure apps. Start with these basics:
- Use environment variables: Never put API keys or secrets directly in your code
- Enable database security: If you're using Supabase or Firebase, configure Row Level Security
- Run a security scan: Use CheckYourVibe or similar tools to find issues before users do
- Review AI-generated code: Look for hardcoded values and missing authentication
- Ask AI for help: Prompt your AI tool to add security features explicitly
What is vibe coding?
Vibe coding is building applications using AI-powered tools like Cursor, Bolt.new, Lovable, and v0. Instead of writing every line of code manually, you describe what you want to build and AI generates the code. The term comes from describing the "vibe" of what you want rather than the technical implementation.
Is vibe coding the same as no-code?
No. No-code platforms like Bubble or Webflow use visual interfaces to build apps without code. Vibe coding still produces real code (React, Next.js, etc.), but AI writes most of it based on your descriptions. The output is actual code you can customize and deploy anywhere.
Do I need coding experience for vibe coding?
Not necessarily. Many vibe coders are non-technical founders, designers, or domain experts. However, understanding basic concepts helps you communicate with AI tools more effectively and catch potential issues. Security knowledge is especially important since AI-generated code often needs security improvements.
Is AI-generated code secure?
Not by default. AI focuses on functionality, not security. It will create working code, but that code often lacks proper authentication, input validation, and security configurations. You need to review AI-generated code and add security measures yourself or use tools to identify issues.
Where to Go Next
Recommended Next
Why Security Matters
Now that you know what vibe coding is, understand why security is critical.
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