How To Vibe Code: Your 2026 Guide to Building Apps Without Writing Code

Building software used to require months of work, not to mention knowing how to code. With the introduction of vibe coding tools, the dynamics of scale and speed have fundamentally shifted, and the barrier to entry has quickly dropped to the floor.

These days, even the least tech-savvy among us can describe an idea for a website or app, and have a prototype ready in about the time it takes to make a sandwich.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to vibe code in six steps. The process is broad enough to adapt to your needs, yet still specific enough to be actionable.

We’ll also discuss what you can realistically build with vibe coding tools, and what hidden fees to watch out for when choosing a plan.

How to get started with vibe coding (step-by-step)

First, identify what you'll be building: Mobile app? WordPress plugin? Web application? Your use case will determine which tool to use. For this walkthrough, we'll be using Lovable as our example. As an all-in-one platform, it’s perfect for beginners, offers a free tier, and lets you build all kinds of web applications and websites.

However, even if you use a different all-in-one platform, the steps below will be the same, or nearly the same. Other types of AI-assisted coding tools will have their own quirks, but will still share some overlap with the process. This means you can follow along here with the tool of your choice.

Step 1: Write a mini Product Requirements Document (PRD)

Before touching any AI tool, write a 500-800-word description covering:

• What problem will your app or website solve, and for whom
• Core features and user flows
• Technical requirements (databases, integrations, user roles)
• Design preferences (colors, fonts, scrolling or on-hover effects, etc.)

This might feel like extra work upfront, but it can save you hours of rework once you start building. Even if you end up using a template, the PRD will help you choose one that better aligns with your vision. It will also make it easier to edit the template, because you’ll have a clear blueprint in front of you.

Step 2: Sign up and choose your starting point

Head to your preferred vibe coding tool (again, we'll be using Lovable) and create an account. Once you’re in the account, depending on the tool, you’ll usually have three options to begin:

1. Use a prebuilt template.
2. Upload screenshots as inspiration examples.
3. Start from scratch.

Most all-in-one platforms like Lovable, Base44, and Hostinger Horizons offer template galleries filled with options for common use cases:

On the other hand, local development tools (e.g., Cursor, Claude Code, Windsurf) generally don't include built-in template galleries.

Fortunately, using templates isn't the only way to do rapid prototyping. Some vibe coding tools also accept screenshots. You can upload an image of a user interface or another element you like from an existing website or software. Then prompt your AI tool to code something that resembles it, just with your specific edits.

Otherwise, if you plan on starting from scratch, simply drop the text of your PRD into your vibe coding tool and turn it into your first prompt. Depending on how your PRD is worded, it might help to insert a starting sentence explaining what you’d like to create and that your PRD is below.

The AI tool will then get to work. It could take anywhere from a minute to more than 10 minutes to generate working code. The simpler your PRD, the faster the result.

Step 3: Set up your back end (if needed)

If your project requires a back end (user accounts, database, saved data) and you included this in your initial prompt, check if it was built. In most cases, especially for complex apps, Lovable and similar all-in-one tools will build the front end first and table the back end for a follow-up step. Here’s how to handle that:

• If you need a back end and it wasn't built, Lovable may auto-suggest it as a next step. Click it. If it doesn't suggest it, prompt it manually.
• If your app or website is front-end only (a landing page, portfolio, or simple informational site), skip to Step 4.

Step 4: Add features and expand your app

Once your foundation works, you may think of additional features you missed when writing your PRD. This happens naturally because the hands-on experience of using your working prototype sparks ideas you may have overlooked when the idea was only in your head.

Luckily, adding new features is straightforward. Just use natural language prompts to describe what you want, and the AI will make the necessary adjustments. If you’re able to use precise language, you’ll get faster and better results.

Step 5: Test and refine

If you plan to use Lovable specifically, you'll be in luck for this step, as Lovable recently added automated testing as a feature.[1][2] In all likelihood, you will see it as a suggested next step in the dashboard.

Once you tap the button, it will auto-generate a relevant prompt and insert it into the text box. If, for some reason, you don't see it as a suggestion and you want to run testing, just type your own prompt.

Lovable will then automatically run through your app — clicking buttons, filling forms, navigating pages, etc. If it catches any errors in your existing code, it will notify you and fix them. This is a much faster path to a working product than manual testing.

However, if your vibe coding tool doesn’t offer automated testing, you will need to test manually. Put on your “new user” hat and use your AI-generated app or website as a real person would. Try every option and feature. Click every button. Basically, make sure everything works and matches your PRD. It’s a good idea to do this even if you run automated testing.

If you need to make simple visual changes, use Lovable's Visual Edits feature. Click any element on the page to directly modify text, colors, spacing, typography, and alignment. Tap Save, and the changes will apply instantly, without consuming credits. Base44 and Hostinger Horizons offer the same feature.[3][4]

Step 6: Deploy or export your project

Once you're satisfied with your app, you have two main options:

• One-click deployment: Click the "Publish" button in the top-right corner. Lovable will deploy your app instantly and put it on a subdomain, such as yourapp.lovable.app. If you want your app at yourapp.com rather than a subdomain, you'll need to upgrade to Lovable’s Pro plan. Purchase your domain separately, then follow Lovable's instructions to connect it. Other all-in-one AI tools have similar options.
• Export your code (more control): If you want to host elsewhere or hand your working code to an experienced developer for further work, then export it to GitHub or download it as a ZIP file. Just keep in mind that not all vibe coding platforms allow code export. Verify beforehand if you’re thinking about going in this direction.

What can you do with a vibe code tool?

You can do quite a lot. Some tools specialize in certain types of projects or programming languages, while others are more general-purpose and can be used for almost anything that’s built with code. Examples of what you can build include:

• Basic front-end-only website (e.g., landing page, portfolio, blog)
• Complex website (e.g., ecommerce, membership, LMS)
• Mobile app
• Web app
• WordPress plugin
• Browser extension
• Software and SaaS

However, just like any other tool, the results you’ll get will vary based on how skilled you are with the tool.

Can anyone be a vibe coder?

If you know how to use a computer and you can type, then you can vibe code your way to a basic website through natural language prompts. In that sense, “anyone can be a vibe coder.”

However, as you move up the complexity scale, it’s much more challenging to build something viable and secure without at least some programming knowledge.

Having said that, you don't need to learn how to code or be a cybersecurity expert manually. However, familiarizing yourself with development concepts will help ensure that your project follows best practices for security (such as OWASP compliance), accessibility (such as WCAG/ARIA standards), and overall web design. Not to mention you’ll be able to write better prompts.

If concepts like OWASP and WCAG/ARIA are completely foreign to you right now, don’t panic; you can still become proficient in AI-assisted coding with some effort and practice.

Start by building a few throwaway weekend projects, but instead of having your vibe coding tool only generate code, ask it to explain what it’s doing and why. Going through that process a few times will give you a paradigm shift. Then, when you sit down to work on an actual business idea, you'll be in a much better starting position than someone who is vibe coding for the first time.

You might want to consider taking a beginner’s course in web development, web design, or another related subject. This alone will carry you a lot further than you might think.

The best vibe coding tools

Now that you understand what’s possible with vibe coding and how to approach it, it’s time to talk about tools. Choosing the right tool depends on what you intend to build with it. The best all-in-one platform (for code, hosting, and deployment) is Lovable.

Lovable balances ease of use with genuine code ownership. Features like two-way GitHub sync and a visual editor hit the sweet spot between beginner-friendly and professional-grade.

Starting from $21/mo, it’s on the higher end of entry-level plans, but the new built-in testing feature justifies the slightly more expensive price point — especially for first-time vibe coders. The main limitation is that it’s web-only output, meaning there’s no native mobile app support.

Other top AI app builders with comprehensive features include:

• Replit for best autonomous testing, but unpredictable pricing
• Bolt.new for browser-based development with an open-source variant
• Base44 for a fully integrated back end, but moderate migration friction if you move elsewhere

Hidden costs and pricing traps

Whether you choose to vibe code with Lovable or opt for a different platform, it’s important to be mindful of hidden costs and sign-up bonuses that turn into paid add-ons at renewal time. Four areas we recommend you pay attention to are:

1. Credit and token overages: Consumption-based platforms like Replit and Cursor can burn through monthly allowances during heavy debugging sessions. What looks like a $20/mo tool can easily spike to $50-$100+.
2. Team seat multipliers: Some platforms’ plans charge per user, so a $20/mo individual plan becomes $100/mo for a five-person team.
3. Renewal pricing changes: All-in-one platforms are convenient, but not all of them include the “all” in their prices. For example, Hostinger Horizons’ starting prices have hosting included, but at renewal, hosting becomes a separate (additional) charge.
4. Code export restrictions: Some platforms lock code export behind higher tiers (e.g., Base44 requires $40+/mo for export). Verify export capabilities before building, in case you might want to migrate later.

Bottom line

Vibe coding follows a simple loop: Write a clear PRD, prompt your tool, build incrementally, test, and deploy. That process works regardless of which platform you choose. The key to getting good results is to be specific in your prompts and treat your first build as a starting point, not a finished product.

As for tools, match them to your project, but if you’re a first-time vibe coder, then you can’t go wrong with all-in-one platforms like Lovable, Replit, Bolt.new, and Base44. These offer the easiest on-ramp for beginners and are versatile enough to let you build a wide range of apps.

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