I'd always believed that if I started to learn how to code when I was younger, I'd probably be pretty good at it and could have even made a career out of it if I wanted. That's not what happened, and I'm fine with that. It's true that I've taken courses for some basic coding skills and managed to pick up some rudimentary Python and Linux knowledge from installing custom ROMs on my Android phones way back when. But if I were asked to build something -- anything -- from scratch out of any language, it'd never happen.
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When I first heard about vibe coding, I thought it'd never get past being an aid for people who knew how to do the real thing -- an assist for the already-talented coders, making basic tasks even easier for them. For the most part, that's exactly where we are with vibe coding. But for someone with absolutely no experience whatsoever, "basic" might be all you need to create something you otherwise wouldn't be able to.
Generative AI tools can turn anyone into a coder. Just as you can create an image using natural language, vibe coding allows you to create websites, mini apps, tools and more, just by instructing an AI chatbot like Gemini or ChatGPT.
To test this out myself, I tried creating a project using Gemini and Claude, both of which yielded satisfactory results, though one required a few more instructions than the other. Below, I'll cover my experience with vibe coding.
What is vibe coding?
In its most basic form, vibe coding is using AI to create code by using natural language prompts and instructions. That code can be used to create a website, app or function you can use to perform the task you want.
You can typically do basic vibe coding with the chatbot of your choice, but there are more advanced tools for people who know how to work with code and want more control. Google's AI Studio is one option. It comes with a helpful and Googley, "I'm feeling lucky" button that will generate a project to get an idea of what you can do with AI Studio.
Vibe Coding with Gemini
Gemini created a solid Halloween events calendar after a little bit of tweaking for the month of October. Google/Screenshot by Blake Stimac
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