Beginner's Guide to AI Programming (Vibe Coding) in One Week

Discover how Vibe Coding allows non-programmers to create software tools using natural language and AI assistance.

Introduction to Vibe Coding

Can you create usable software tools without knowing how to code? Two years ago, this would have sounded unbelievable, but today, it’s a reality thanks to “Vibe Coding.”

As a graduate in Chinese literature with eight years of experience in copywriting, I couldn’t even distinguish HTML tags. Yet, I’ve managed to create a resume generator, an image filter tool, and a resume screening tool—believe it or not!

What is Vibe Coding?

The term “Vibe Coding” was coined by Andrej Karpathy, co-founder of OpenAI. He tweeted that AI programming has evolved to a new stage where you no longer need to write code line by line; you just tell the AI what you want, and it generates the code for you.

In simple terms, Vibe Coding means “programming with natural language.” You don’t need to know Python, JavaScript, or HTML; you just need to express your ideas in plain language.

For example, if you say, “I want a resume generator that automatically creates a beautiful resume once the user fills in their information,” the AI understands and delivers the complete code within a minute.

This is a stark contrast to traditional programming, where you have to learn the machine’s language to communicate. With Vibe Coding, machines adapt to human language, making it much more accessible.

Benefits of Vibe Coding in Daily Life and Work

Initially, I was skeptical about Vibe Coding, especially as a pure humanities student. However, after trying it for a week, I was amazed at how it solved many practical problems for coding novices like me.

For instance, when screening resumes, I used to sift through dozens or even hundreds of applications manually, which was exhausting. After creating a resume screening tool with AiPy, I could simply upload the resumes and specify the candidate criteria—like “over three years of experience, background in the internet industry, and a bachelor’s degree.” The AI automatically filtered the candidates, significantly boosting my efficiency.

Additionally, I often needed to apply filters to images, which used to require time-consuming Photoshop work. Now, with AiPy, I can upload an image, select the desired filter effect, and achieve results instantly.

Creating resumes has also become easier. Previously, I spent hours formatting resumes in Word, but now, with AiPy, I can generate beautifully formatted resumes in minutes.

Vibe Coding is Simple: Just a Rough Idea and the Right AI

Many people feel overwhelmed by the term “programming” and believe they can’t learn it. I completely understand, as I once felt the same way.

However, Vibe Coding has an incredibly low barrier to entry. You don’t need to know about variables, loops, functions, or object-oriented programming. You just need a vague idea, like “I want to create a tool that generates resumes,” and the AI will break down your request and generate the code.

This process is akin to hiring a designer to create something for you; you simply express your needs, and the designer (in this case, AI) makes it happen. The AI is available 24/7 and doesn’t charge design fees.

When I started using it, I didn’t even know the difference between front-end and back-end. But I realized that it didn’t matter. I just had to tell the AI what I wanted, and it would deliver. For example, I said, “I want a webpage with an input box on the left and a preview on the right,” and the AI generated it for me.

AI Can Generate Code in Bulk and Quickly

One of the most impressive aspects of Vibe Coding is how quickly AI can generate code. Previously, I thought coding was a slow process, requiring meticulous line-by-line input and debugging. However, AI programming has completely changed my perception.

You can give the AI a requirement, and it can generate dozens or even hundreds of lines of code in seconds. If you’re not satisfied, you can specify what needs changing, and it will adjust immediately. The entire experience feels like conversing with an experienced programmer who is always patient and never annoyed by your simple questions.

For example, I created a resume generator, and from the initial idea to seeing the final product, it took less than five minutes. I made several style adjustments—“the font is too big, make it smaller,” “change the color to blue,” “tighten the layout”—and the AI made each change instantly, allowing me to see the results immediately.

This experience is incredibly satisfying. Previously, there was a huge technical gap between having an idea and executing it. Now, that gap is bridged by AI, making it just a sentence away.

AiPy: A Powerful Tool for Vibe Coding

When discussing Vibe Coding tools, there are options like Cursor and Copilot, but I found AiPy particularly useful in China. AiPy’s greatest advantage is its full support for Chinese, and it not only helps you generate code but also runs, debugs, and improves it. You don’t need to configure any environments or install complex software; you can use it directly from the web.

During my week with AiPy, I completed three small projects, each giving me a sense of accomplishment:

  1. Resume Generator: Users input personal information, work experience, and educational background, and the AI automatically generates a beautifully formatted resume in under five minutes.
  2. Image Filter Tool: Upload an image, choose the desired effect (like black and white or vintage), and the AI processes it automatically. While it may not match professional editing software, it’s sufficient for everyday use.
  3. Resume Screening Tool: I could upload a batch of resumes and tell the AI what kind of candidates I was looking for, and it would automatically filter out suitable candidates. This tool saved me a lot of time, reducing what used to take half a day to just ten minutes.

If I had to learn programming to create these projects, it would have taken at least three months. But with AiPy, I completed them in just a week, spending only a couple of hours each day. Plus, if you’re worried about running out of tokens, you can use the invitation code c8W3 for two million tokens.

My Personal Experience and Suggestions

As a humanities student, I never imagined I would one day “write code.” However, Vibe Coding and AiPy have shown me that programming is no longer exclusive to programmers; it is becoming a skill that anyone can master.

You don’t need to understand technology or programming; you just need an idea and the right AI tool to bring it to life.

If you’re like me, a regular person who doesn’t understand code but wants to try creating your own small tools or applications, I highly recommend you try Vibe Coding. It won’t turn you into a programming expert overnight, but it will allow you to see your creativity materialize in the shortest time possible.

In conclusion, in this era, not knowing how to code is not scary; what’s truly frightening is not daring to try with the help of AI.

I started from scratch and created three small tools in a week. You should give it a shot too; you might do even better than I did. After all, what we lack is not ability, but a starting point.

Writing this article made me reflect on how I used to think programming was “someone else’s business,” something far removed from me. Looking back now, rather than viewing Vibe Coding as a new technology, it’s more about a new mindset—it teaches us that tools are meant to serve people, not the other way around.

If you’re hesitating about whether to give it a try, my advice is: don’t overthink it; just dive in. Find a small tool you want to create, open AiPy, and express your idea. Even if what you create initially is rough, that’s okay. You’ll be pleasantly surprised to discover that you can “create” something after all.

This sense of achievement is something you won’t experience from watching countless tutorials.

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