# 10 rules of vibe-coding
1. [[#get an agentic coding tool]]
2. [[#write a seed prompt]]
3. [[#use tools in parallel]]
4. [[#evaluate existing repositories]]
5. [[#build from a specification]]
6. [[#copy before you create originals]]
7. [[#design according to your taste]]
8. [[#plan before you code]]
9. [[#focus on small features]]
10. [[#change your definition of done]]
---
# get an agentic coding tool
there are many options nowadays, the most common are:
- ides: cursor, windsurf, zencoder, void
- web: lovable, bolt.new
- cli: claude code, gemini cli
> get one, do it now!
---
# write a seed prompt
you can be very concise -- choose one of the 3 approaches:
## one-liner
```instructions
design and build a website card for a portfolio of an architect
```
> try it out!
## 3 bullet points
```instructions
- task: write a python script that converts from heic to jpeg
- process: user gives folder, load files in parallel async, convert in batches, store in the same folder, move originals to root/_archive
- outcome: py file runnable from the command line with parameters
```
> try it out!
## use a bot
like [[bot - @landing.page.maker]]
> try it out!
---
# use tools in parallel
open lovable, bolt, but also regular chatgpt, claude, gemini run the same seed prompt
open 3-5 lovable and bolt windows for some design variety
![[Pasted image 20251117004954.png]]
---
# change your definition of done
before you go yolo and accept all changes made by ai, think about your sins!
and change your [[definition of done]]
the old ones are no longer fast enough
---
# assess existing repositories
many developers complain that ai cannot work with existing code bases
that's wrong -- but you need to familiarize your agent with it [[command - repo - assess]]
![[Pasted image 20251117005138.png]]
---
# build from a specification
- do you have some notes from the conversation with users?
- process diagrams and documentation?
- support tickets and customer complaints?
all of this is a godsend for a modern developer because it can easily be translated into a specification, a product requirements document, or a scope
you can use [[bot - @scoper]] and save it as scope.md in the repository
---
# copy before you create originals
don't try to invent every part, every time
reuse, get inspired, critique!
```instructions
build a website for the company
as the style example, apply the following link: https://cogit.systems/
maintain most of the design ideas
get creative in how you position elements
for content, apply: http://jeffclune.com/
```
![[Pasted image 20251117184857.png]]
[on Lovable](https://jeff-clune.lovable.app)
---
# design according to your taste
don't try to invent every design element
close the conversation before that like this:
```instructions
analyze and review the contents of the code and the conversation you've seen so far
thoroughly summarize them in a comprehensive design document
consider visual elements, shapes, colors, fonts, margins, rounding, and other aspects of styling, graphic design, visual presence, branding
summarize your findings in the design.md document
```
---
# plan before you code
now you have an assessment, a scope, a design
what remains is a plan for implementation [[command - plan - development]]
![[Pasted image 20251117005347.png]]
---
# focus on small features
look through plan.md find features, usually f1, f2 etc.
copy their contents and specify that the ai agent should only focus on that, optionally supplemented [[command - plan - feature]]
---
// 17 nov 2025, hamburg