The term “Vibe Coding” is really trending these days. For hardcore developers, it can feel a bit weird to take the back seat and let someone (or something) else write code for them.

But after spending time with Cursor, an AI-powered code editor. I’ve gathered some real insights that might help others navigate this new way of coding.

Context Matters

The biggest issue with AI-generated code is context or rather, the lack of it.

Most AI models mess up your code simply because they don’t understand the full picture. And to be fair, from the AI’s perspective, that makes sense. You can’t expect it to know what to do unless it has a proper view of your application.

Right now, AI models operate within a context window limit, a cap on how much code they can “see” at once. What I’ve found super helpful is explicitly giving the model the file or folder you’re working on. This dramatically improves the quality of the suggestions, because it gives the AI better context and fewer chances to guess incorrectly.

 

Which Model Should You Use?

Everyone has their own preferences here. Personally, I used to use Claude 3.7, but ever since Claude 4 came out, I’ve made the switch.

Different models work better for different people, but I’ve consistently found Claude’s models very helpful for coding. That said, your mileage may vary, some folks prefer GPT-4, Gemini, or others. Try them and see what clicks for your workflow.

 

Hallucinations Are Real

Yes, AI hallucinations are still a thing. Sometimes, the AI starts solving a problem that doesn’t exist or invents functions and code you never asked for.

The fix?
Either:
• Start a new chat, or
• Change your prompt completely.

In my experience, that usually gets things back on track.

 

Beware of Outdated Resources

One recurring issue I’ve faced is outdated documentation. AI models often try to use the latest packages, but based on older documentation and that mismatch breaks the build.

For example, I ran into problems when Claude tried building a project with Next.js 15 but handled routing as if it were Next.js 14.

The solution:
Give the model the correct link to the official docs and tell it to follow that version specifically. It usually listens well when guided properly.

 

Vibe Coding Isn’t Hands-Free (Yet)

There’s still a lot of hand-holding involved in vibe coding.

But the payoff? It dramatically cuts dev hours.

If you:
• Watch the changes the AI makes
• Point out when it messes up
• Tell it how to fix things

…you can end up with a fully working application in way less time than doing it all manually.

 

Final Thoughts

Yes, traditional coding is changing.
Yes, AI might take over some of those traditional roles.
But right now, we can use AI to build things faster, better, and more creatively than before.

“Vibe Coding” isn’t perfect but it’s powerful.
And with tools like Cursor, we’re only just getting started.