Vibe Coding: A New Rhythm for Software Development

AI is changing more than what we build. It is transforming how we build. One of the most interesting shifts emerging in 2026 is vibe coding, a development approach driven by conversation, creativity, and collaboration with AI rather than traditional line by line programming.

 

What Is Vibe Coding?

Vibe coding is a way of creating software by talking to AI instead of typing every step yourself. A developer describes goals or desired behaviour in natural language and an AI model generates the code. According to Anders Hejlsberg, the creator of TypeScript, this style of development allows a person to focus on intent rather than syntax or structure.

In reality, it is not completely hands-off. The developer guides the model, tests the output, adjusts the behaviour through conversation, and iterates quickly. Research shows that vibe coding is centred around co-creation, communication flow, and trust between the human and the AI. Developers describe the experience as fast and immersive, but also warn that reliability and debugging can become more challenging without clear specifications.

Designers have also begun to use vibe coding to quickly turn ideas into prototypes, allowing early user testing before a single traditional commit is made.

 

Why It Matters

Vibe coding is not simply a trend. It signals a major shift in how software will be created in the coming years.

Democratisation of creation
People who are not engineers can now prototype or build useful tools. This expands who can participate in digital creation and shortens the path from idea to working software.

Speed and experimentation
Vibe coding removes the friction of the blank screen. Teams can test ideas in minutes. Experimentation becomes part of daily development instead of something postponed until later.

A productivity boost for engineers
Experienced engineers can hand routine or boilerplate tasks to AI and spend their time on architecture, systems design, performance and other high-value activities.

Flow and creative momentum
Developers report reaching a flow state more easily. They steer the AI, review its output and refine the solution in a continuous loop of creative feedback.

However, it’s important to be aware that there are risks.

Code produced through vibe coding can hide errors, create security concerns, or drift away from established architectural standards if not reviewed carefully. Organisations adopting it need both enthusiasm and discipline.

 

How Counter Can Help Your Team Use Vibe Coding Effectively

Counter helps teams adopt new ways of working in a safe and sustainable way. Vibe coding is powerful, but it needs structure. Here is how we support teams that want to explore or scale it.

Pilot and experimentation
We help teams run small pilots where vibe coding can be explored safely. These pilots are ideal for prototypes and non-critical features.

Hybrid workflows
Vibe coding works best when paired with strong engineering practice. We embed AI-generated work into your existing delivery model through peer review, testing and refactoring.

Governance and quality
Counter helps create guidelines for prompt design, review processes, testing and security. This ensures that AI-assisted development remains safe and reliable.

Developer enablement
We mentor engineers on how to collaborate with AI, evaluate its output and use it responsibly. The goal is to increase capability not replace skill.

Sustainable scaling
As your organisation becomes comfortable with vibe coding, we help codify the process so it supports long-term maintainability and shared ownership.

 

Why Teams Choose Counter

We embed teams directly within your organisation, so AI-assisted development stays aligned with your domain, your architecture and your ways of working.

We focus on long-term value. The code your teams produce is maintainable, and your people learn how to continue using these approaches long after the initial project ends.

Most importantly, we help create a balance between speed and discipline. Vibe coding becomes a tool for acceleration, not a shortcut that adds risk.

If you want to read more about our case studies, see here

 

The Bottom Line

Vibe coding is a new way for humans and AI to build software together. It brings speed, creativity and greater accessibility. But it only works when supported by strong engineering practice.

Counter sees vibe coding as a force multiplier. With the right guidance, your team can move faster, experiment more freely and deliver higher value work with less friction.

 

References:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cpd2y053nleo

https://news.microsoft.com/source/features/ai/vibe-coding-and-other-ways-ai-is-changing-who-can-build-apps-and-how/

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