Tips for Vibe Coding
- Layla Foord
- Aug 31
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 2
After a few red herrings and terrible builds, here are a few tips for for coding with AI as your co-pilot when vibe coding.
Treat AI as a Collaborative Partner - Engage with the AI by asking for its ideas and inviting alternatives. Instead of merely instructing it on tasks, seek its perspective and insights.
Establish the Mood Before Design - Begin by articulating the mood or feeling you want the product to convey. This will inform the tone and direction of your design and user experience.
Utilize Replit for Solo Projects
Ensure secure storage for API keys.
Integrate multiple applications seamlessly.
Run a database without relying on Supabase (consider alternatives like Lovable).
Set up straightforward SSO or magic link login features.
Explore New Possibilities - Prompt the AI with, “What else could this do?” to uncover features or use cases you might not have considered.
Request Initial Prompts for Replit - Better prompts lead to cleaner, more aligned builds, so ask the AI to generate the first prompt for your project.
Leverage AI for UX and UI Design - Share 2–3 websites you admire and explain why. Let the AI design loosely based on those references.
Generate Placeholder Branding - Quickly create logos, brand colors, font suggestions, and app names, asking for multiple options to choose from.
Create Authentic UX Artifacts - Prompt the AI to generate:
Markdown user stories
User journey maps
Acceptance criteria
MVP scope definitions
Implement Magic Link Login - Seek assistance in setting up with SendGrid or similar services, as the AI can handle much of the configuration for you.
Conduct Thorough Testing Before Launch - Use the prompt: “Perform a full UAT of this tool. Test every feature, flow, and back-end function.”
Inquire About Security and Compliance - Ask questions like, “What cyber security risks should I consider?” or “Generate a privacy policy, terms & conditions, and cookie selector for this app.”
Let the AI Name Your Buttons and Sections - Good microcopy can emerge from a quick brainstorming session with the AI.
If You Hit a Wall, Ask: “What Would You Do If This Were Your Project?” - This is a great fallback prompt when feeling blocked or overwhelmed.
Build Small, Functional Loops - Start with a single interaction that works well. Avoid the temptation to tackle everything simultaneously.
Avoid Over-Specifying Visual Design - Allow the AI some freedom to interpret the layout. Too many constraints can lead to a cluttered UI.
Maintain a Shared Memory Prompt - Keep a running context in a file or long prompt so your assistant can remember decisions, names, and goals.
Utilize AI as Your Product Coach - Request a sanity check on your roadmap, feature set, or user value; it can help identify gaps you may have missed.
Let the AI Draft Your Launch Communications - It can generate various materials such as release notes, blog post drafts, LinkedIn updates, and internal launch presentations.
Use what works, ignore what doesn’t. The key is not just to ship faster, it’s to stay in flow, keep learning, and let the tools sharpen your thinking along the way.
What other tips do you have?
-Layla
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