Vibe Coding Tutorial - Setup and Advanced Tips and Tricks

Everything You Need to Know About Vibe Coding

Choosing the Right Tool for Vibe Coding

• The speaker introduces vibe coding and mentions using Windsurf and Cursor as preferred tools, highlighting that Windsurf is a fork of VS Code, making it familiar for existing users.

• Alternatives include using an extension called Klein within VS Code or opting for Replet, an online code editor that simplifies app deployment due to its cloud-based nature.

• The canvas feature in hosted AI platforms like Claude allows users to write and execute simple HTML and JavaScript code directly in the browser, providing a quick start for beginners.

• While browser-based coding has limitations (mainly supporting HTML and JavaScript), it remains effective due to JavaScript's popularity. More complex projects may require dedicated tools like Windsurf or Cursor.

• The speaker emphasizes the advantages of Windsurf, including various model options, tab completion features, and integrated browser preview functionality for real-time project feedback.

Selecting a Programming Language

• When choosing a programming language for vibe coding, it's recommended to select the most popular languages to ensure better AI training data availability; JavaScript is highlighted as the most popular choice.

• Python is noted as another strong option, especially in AI contexts. The speaker typically uses Python for back-end development alongside HTML and JavaScript for front-end tasks.

• NodeJS is mentioned as an alternative back-end option using JavaScript. Popularity should guide language selection based on available resources and community support.

• A reference graphic called GitHub 2.0 illustrates popular programming languages such as Python, Java, C++, TypeScript; this resource will be linked in the description below.

Planning Your Project

• After selecting your tool (e.g., Windsurf) and tech stack (Python back end with HTML/JavaScript front end), creating a detailed project plan becomes crucial.

• The importance of outlining edge cases in your plan is emphasized; this ensures that the application behaves as expected during development.

Product Development and Version Control

Introduction to the Planning Process

• The speaker introduces a series of questions aimed at guiding the planning process for a project, emphasizing the importance of understanding technical concepts with assistance from AI tools like Grock.

• A product requirements document (PRD) will be created in Markdown format, which is noted for its compatibility with artificial intelligence.

Creating a To-Do List

• The speaker highlights the significance of developing a detailed checklist or to-do list that outlines steps necessary to build an application, noting that it should be stored for future reference.

• Emphasis is placed on thoroughly considering every feature and edge case during this stage to prevent future complications in coding.

Importance of Planning

• Having a well-defined plan allows for easier adjustments as development progresses; changes can be made directly in the documentation as needed.

Understanding Version Control

• The discussion shifts to version control, described as essential for saving code at various stages during development. This practice is crucial regardless of whether one is engaging in traditional or vibe coding.

Benefits of Using Git

• Git is introduced as the standard version control software that enables developers to save their work at different points, allowing easy rollback if issues arise.

• The necessity of version control becomes clear when AI makes significant changes that could disrupt functionality; reverting to stable code can save time and effort.

Getting Started with Git

• For those unfamiliar with coding, basic terminology related to Git (like commit and revert) is recommended for understanding without needing deep knowledge.

• Instructions are provided on installing Git using AI assistance, demonstrating how simple commands can set up version control effectively.

Utilizing GitHub for Code Storage

Understanding Rules in Vibe Coding

Introduction to Rules

• Vibe coding tools like Cursor and Windsurf utilize "rules" that guide AI coding agents on how to write code according to user-defined structures and workflows, similar to a system prompt for LLMs.

Managing Rules in Windsurf

• In Windsurf, users can manage rules through the settings menu under "memories and rules," where they can also find project memories.

• Users can define global rules (applying to all projects) and workspace-specific rules (applying only to a specific project).

Examples of Global Rules

• One rule emphasizes restarting the server after changes are made, automating what was previously a manual task.

• Another rule instructs the AI to check existing code before creating new code, promoting code evolution rather than redundancy.

• A critical rule is ensuring that the AI considers different environments (development, testing, production), which helps maintain clarity across various stages of deployment.

Best Practices for Code Management

• The speaker advises avoiding duplication of code and preferring simpler solutions as part of their coding philosophy.

• It’s important for scripts not to be written into files unnecessarily; instead, they should run directly in the console when applicable.

File Management Guidelines

Keeping Code Modular

• The speaker recommends keeping files short (ideally 100–300 lines), which enhances modularity and allows for quicker iterations by AI.

Resources for Language-Specific Best Practices

• A GitHub repository called "awesome cursor rules" provides language-specific best practices that help coders adhere to established guidelines within their coding environment.

Workflow Overview in Vibe Coding

Initial Steps in Project Setup

Creating a Project Plan and To-Do List

Setting Up the Project

• The speaker discusses creating a to-do.md file after finalizing the project plan, emphasizing that initial focus is on coding without user feedback.

• The workflow involves having an AI assistant read both the project plan and to-do list, stressing the importance of developing one feature at a time.

Development Workflow

• Initially, building out the framework may require multiple features; however, subsequent additions should be done one at a time.

• Writing tests for each feature is crucial. Tests ensure that code functions as expected and help identify issues when changes are made in the future.

Testing Code Effectively

• After writing tests, they must be run to verify functionality. If any tests fail, developers can either fix the code or update the tests based on new functionality.

• Running an entire test suite ensures all code works as intended. Developers need to address any failing tests before proceeding.

Committing Changes

• Once all tests pass, developers commit their code using Git commands. This process includes finding changed files and writing commit messages.

• The overall flow involves referencing plans, checking tasks, building features, testing them, fixing issues if necessary, and committing changes repeatedly.

Handling Code Issues with AI Assistance

Rolling Back Changes

• If code becomes unfixable due to errors introduced by AI assistance, rolling back to a previous commit can restore stability. Developers can use git stash to save recent changes temporarily.

Enhancing Coding Experience

• Switching between chat mode (for questions and context-based discussions with AI) and write mode (for direct coding assistance) enhances interaction with AI tools.

Utilizing Templates for Front-End Design

Finding Design Resources

• For aesthetically pleasing front-end designs, it’s recommended to find free templates online rather than relying solely on AI-generated designs.

Specificity in Requests

Understanding Vibe Coding and Best Practices

Introduction to Vibe Coding

• Vibe coding involves a basic understanding of the codebase, allowing users to add files, directories, documentation, context, and web links easily.

• A popular library among vibe coders is 3.js, a 3D JavaScript library that many AI systems are already familiar with.

Security Concerns in Vibe Coding

• Traditional programmers often criticize vibe coding for its potential lack of maintainability and security vulnerabilities.

• To mitigate these risks, it's essential to learn best practices in coding and implement rules such as "never do this" or "always do that."

Implementing Best Practices

• Key recommendations include rate limiting API endpoints and ensuring row-level security on authentication routes.

• Users can leverage AI tools to discover more best practices by querying online resources or asking specific questions.

Code Maintainability and Refactoring

• While AI-generated code may not be aesthetically pleasing initially, it is expected to improve over time; users should embrace this learning curve.

• AI can assist in refactoring code to enhance conciseness and modularity while eliminating duplication.

Security Audits and Recommendations

• Important security practices include safeguarding API keys from public exposure and avoiding saving them in Git repositories.

• It’s advised not to create custom authentication systems unless absolutely necessary; instead, use established solutions like Clerk for user management.

Advanced Features: MCP Servers

• MCP (Multi-Agent Control Protocol) servers provide additional tools for agents within platforms like Windsurf.

• Examples include Unity MCP integration which allows users to vibe code directly into Unity without prior knowledge of the platform.