Is Vibe Coding Our Friend?
In recent months, vibe coding has rapidly entered the vocabulary of software development, product design, and digital experimentation. It is a term that sparks curiosity, enthusiasm, and — quite often — concern. At COMMpla, where experimentation with emerging technologies is part of our everyday work, this discussion has become increasingly relevant. But what do we really mean when we talk about vibe coding, and why has it spread so quickly with the rise of AI-powered tools?
More importantly: is vibe coding actually our friend?
What We Mean by “Vibe Coding”
Vibe coding is not a formal methodology, nor a replacement for established software engineering practices. It is better understood as a mode of exploration. Instead of starting from exhaustive specifications, architectural blueprints, or long requirement documents, the process begins with an idea, an intuition, or a desired outcome — and uses AI-assisted tools to turn that intuition into a working artefact.
Prompts replace specifications. Iteration replaces detailed planning. The objective is not technical perfection, but speed, tangibility, and learning.
This approach has become viable — and attractive — largely because of the rapid evolution of AI engines capable of generating code, interfaces, and workflows in minutes. At COMMpla, this has opened up new possibilities for rapid prototyping and internal experimentation, allowing teams to materialise ideas that previously might have remained theoretical for much longer.
Why Vibe Coding Spread So Quickly
The diffusion of vibe coding is a direct consequence of how dramatically AI tools have lowered the barrier to entry for building digital artefacts. Developers can skip boilerplate and focus on intent; non-developers can engage with technical concepts without needing years of training.
In environments like COMMpla, where innovation cycles are fast and multidisciplinary collaboration is the norm, the ability to quickly create something that “exists” — even in a rough form — is extremely powerful. A working prototype communicates intent, constraints, and potential far more effectively than slides or written descriptions.
Vibe coding turns ideas into conversation starters.
The Other Side of the Coin
That said, enthusiasm should never replace awareness.
Vibe coding introduces concrete risks when it is mistaken for a production-ready approach. When code is generated primarily through prompts and incremental changes, several issues can emerge:
- Loss of control over the codebase, where no one fully understands how or why it behaves as it does
- Unsustainable software architectures, not designed for scale or long-term maintenance
- Security vulnerabilities, especially when the generated code is not reviewed critically
- Spaghetti code, produced through continuous patching rather than structured design
- Hidden technical debt, disguised by early speed and apparent simplicity
These challenges are well known to anyone with engineering experience, including teams at COMMpla who routinely work at the intersection of experimentation and production systems.
Vibe Coding Will Not Replace Developers
At least not anytime soon.
Vibe coding does not eliminate the need for professional developers, nor does it reduce the value of sound engineering principles. In fact, it often highlights their importance even more clearly. Experienced developers are essential to recognise when exploration must end and deliberate design must begin.
Used correctly, vibe coding excels in exploratory testing, early-stage ideation, and proof-of-concept development. It is a powerful entry point — a way to make an idea visible, testable, and discussable.
It works particularly well when:
- Testing whether an idea is worth pursuing
- Demonstrating a concept to stakeholders
- Exploring alternative technical or UX solutions
- Creating internal prototypes or tools
- Establishing a shared reference for discussion
What it should not be is the final product.
Knowing When to Stop Is the Real Skill
One of the most underestimated risks of vibe coding is psychological rather than technical. The process is fast, rewarding, and empowering. And, as often happens, appetite grows with eating.
A prototype that “almost works” can easily become something that people start relying on. Without a conscious decision to stop, refactor, or rebuild properly, exploratory code can silently slip into production-like use.
Avoiding this requires an explicit cognitive checkpoint: a moment where teams consciously assess what the prototype is for, what risks it carries, and whether it is time to transition towards a structured development process. At COMMpla, this moment is often where experimentation hands over to the engineering discipline.
A Bridge Between Worlds Inside the Company
One of the most valuable aspects of vibe coding — and one that resonates strongly with how COMMpla and Trust-IT Services operate — is its ability to bridge different professional worlds.
By enabling the rapid creation of tangible artefacts, vibe coding allows developers, designers, project managers, communicators, and domain experts to collaborate around something concrete. Instead of debating abstract requirements or interpreting long documents, teams can discuss a real, working prototype created with a few well-crafted prompts.
This shift fundamentally changes conversations. Feedback becomes specific. Assumptions surface earlier. Misalignments are identified faster. The prototype itself becomes a shared language across disciplines.
So, Is Vibe Coding Our Friend?
Yes — as long as we understand its role.
Vibe coding is a powerful ally for exploration, creativity, and collaboration. It accelerates learning, lowers barriers, and helps ideas take shape quickly. In environments like COMMpla, it plays an important role in experimentation and innovation.
But it is not a substitute for engineering rigour. It does not remove the need for architecture, security, or long-term thinking. Used without awareness, it can easily become a liability rather than an asset.
The real competence lies not in using vibe coding, but in knowing when and why to use it — and when to move beyond it.
Handled thoughtfully, vibe coding does not replace developers.
It complements them.
And like any good friend, it is most valuable when we clearly understand its limits.