Vibe coding
Also: vibe-coding
Describing a program you want to an AI and running what it writes without reading the code.
The fuller definition
Vibe coding is building software by describing what you want to an AI coding tool and accepting its output with little or no review of the code. The term was coined in 2025 and became a dictionary word of the year.
- Describe
A plain-English request
- Generate
Code you did not write
- Risk
Running it unread
A simplified relationship, not a screenshot or a complete design.
A concrete example
A lawyer describes a file-renaming tool in plain English and runs the generated script without reading it.
The distinction that matters
Fast to start and hard to trust. For anything that touches real files or data, read the code, test on copies, and keep permissions narrow.
Related terms
Claude Code
An AI tool that works with code and files. It can read, edit, and run commands within the access it has.
APIs & softwareScript
A short program that does one job, like renaming a folder of files.
Agents & automationSandbox
A sealed-off space where an AI or a program can run without touching your real files or systems.
Where it is taught
Your first useful Python script: a document inventorySource and further reading
Anthropic · Building effective agentsThe definition and example are written for this library. The link gives background, official documentation or legal authority as labelled. Legal scope depends on the jurisdiction and current text; product features depend on release and settings.