Vibe Coding isn't just about using AI. It's about flow. It's about momentum. It's about moving so fast that you don't have time to overthink the implementation details because the product is building itself right in front of your eyes.
But speed without direction is just chaos. To truly master the art of AI-first engineering, you need a framework.
We've compiled the 15 Golden Rules of Vibe Coding. This is your playbook for 2025.
The Setup
1. Start From a Template
Never start from a blank file. The "Blank Page Syndrome" is the enemy of vibes. Whether it's `create-next-app`, a shadcn/ui template, or your own personal starter kit, get the boilerplate out of the way instantly.
2. Use Agent Mode
Standard chat is for questions. Agent Mode (in Cursor or Windsurf) is for action. Give the AI permission to run terminal commands, create files, and edit code. Don't be a micromanager.
3. Use Perplexity for Research
LLMs have a knowledge cutoff. If you're using a library that came out last week, the AI will hallucinate. Use Perplexity (or ChatGPT with browsing) to fetch the current docs, then feed that context into your coding agent.
The Workflow
4. Create New Chats in Composer
Context pollution is real. If you've been debugging a database issue for 30 minutes, don't ask the same chat to "design the landing page." Start fresh. Keep your context windows clean and focused.
5. Run Locally, Test Frequently
Vibe coding is fast, which means you can break things fast. Keep `npm run dev` running on a second monitor. Glance at it constantly. If the screen goes white, stop and revert immediately.
6. Iterate and Refine
Your first prompt will rarely give you the perfect result. That's okay. Treat the output as a rough draft.
7. Utilize Voice-to-Text
Typing is the bottleneck. Speaking is 3x faster. Use the microphone button in Cursor mobile or Whisper on desktop to "ramble" your requirements. The AI is great at parsing stream-of-consciousness instructions.
Is Your Code Too Chaotic?
Speed is good, but not if it creates a mess. Check your Vibe Score to ensure you aren't leaving too many AI artifacts behind.
Test Your AI Code →The Tactics
8. Clone and Fork Wisely
Don't reinvent the wheel. If you see a repo that does 80% of what you want, fork it. Use the AI to refactor it into your specific use case.
9. Copy Errors into Composer
See a stack trace? Don't read it. Copy it. Paste it into Composer. 99% of the time, the AI knows exactly what stupid typo you made.
10. Restore Previous Sessions
Did you go down a rabbit hole that broke everything? Don't try to "fix forward." Use `git checkout` or Cursor's history to jump back to the last known good state. Time travel is your friend.
11. Secure Your Secrets
AI loves to hardcode API keys if you aren't careful. Always prompt: "Use environment variables for all secrets." Check your `.env` file religiously.
The Mindset
12. Commit Often
Vibe coding generates a lot of code. Commit every time you have a working feature. "WIP" commits are fine. You can squash them later.
13. Deploy Early
Nothing kills vibes like a deployment error on launch day. Deploy your "Hello World" immediately. Continuous Deployment (CD) keeps the feedback loop tight.
14. Keep a Record of Prompts
When you find a prompt that works perfectly (e.g., "Refactor this component to use the container/presenter pattern"), save it. Build your own "Prompt Library."
15. Enjoy the Process—Just Vibe
This is the most important rule. If you aren't having fun, you're doing it wrong. Vibe coding should feel like magic. It should feel like painting with code. Put on your favorite lo-fi playlist, open Cursor, and let it flow.
Ready to Vibe?
Start applying these rules today. And if you're ever unsure if your code is "too AI," you know where to go.
Vibe Check Your Code →