What is vibe coding? Definition, meaning and how it works (vibecoderjournal.com)

Vibe coding, a novel approach to software development, allows users to create applications by simply describing their needs in plain language to an AI model, which then generates the code—often without the user reviewing it. Coined by Andrej Karpathy in early 2025 and recognized as Collins Dictionary's Word of the Year for that same year, vibe coding has evolved quickly from a light-hearted concept to a mainstream method, utilized by diverse individuals including founders, marketers, and non-programmers. Users typically follow a five-step process: describe their requirements, generate the code with AI, test the application's functionality, report errors, and iterate, although many skip the critical security review step. This paradigm shift is significant for the AI/ML community as it democratizes software development, enabling rapid prototyping and MVP creation for those without extensive coding skills. However, it raises crucial issues, such as the potential for security vulnerabilities and bugs due to the lack of thorough code oversight. As vibe coding evolves, it has given rise to a more disciplined practice termed "agentic engineering," which emphasizes structured planning and code review. This distinction highlights an important balance between speed and security in modern software development.