Vibe Coding Explained: 10 Must-Know AI Tools for Developers

Written By:
Founder & CTO
May 29, 2025

Vibe coding is more than a passing trend, it's a transformative shift in how software is built. Think of it as programming powered by intuition, not just syntax. You're no longer wrestling with repetitive boilerplate or debugging type mismatches at 2 AM. Instead, you’re describing what you want, often in plain English, and letting AI handle the scaffolding, glue code, and setup.

This new mode of development is driven by advancements in AI SaaS, AI app builders, and AI website builders, tools that act less like autocomplete and more like intelligent collaborators. The result? Developers are reclaiming time, creative energy, and focus.

In this blog, we’ll unpack:

  • What is vibe coding really?

  • Why it’s becoming a preferred approach in modern software development

  • 10 powerful tools that are making vibe coding a reality today

Whether you're building solo projects, shipping enterprise apps, or just curious about the future of developer workflows, this guide will help you navigate the evolving landscape and adopt vibe coding into your stack intelligently and effectively.

Let’s get started.

What Is Vibe Coding?

Vibe coding is a modern development approach where natural language becomes your primary interface to code. Instead of writing every loop, function, or UI component manually, you express what you want in plain English, and an AI assistant turns that intent into actual code.

The term vibe coding was coined in early 2025 by AI researcher Andrej Karpathy to describe this shift toward intent-driven development. It's not about ditching code, it's about offloading repetitive, low-level tasks so developers can stay in the creative flow.

At its core, vibe coding is a dialogue between developer and AI:

  • You describe a feature or behavior, like “build a responsive navbar with a dropdown”.

  • The AI, powered by large language models (LLMs), generates the HTML, CSS, and JavaScript (or framework-specific code) needed to make it real.

These LLMs have been trained on massive codebases and documentation, allowing them to reason about patterns, architectures, and implementation details across languages.

In this workflow, English isn’t just a spec, it's the source code. You focus on what the app should do, and the AI handles how to make it happen.

This is what makes vibe coding more than just a productivity boost, it redefines how we think about software creation.

10 Vibe Coding Tools You Should Know

With the rise of vibe coding, the developer ecosystem is rapidly evolving. A new generation of tools is emerging, ones that don’t just autocomplete your functions but understand your intent and execute on it. These tools range from intelligent IDE extensions to full-blown autonomous AI agents capable of implementing features from scratch.

Whether you're prototyping, debugging, or scaling production apps, these tools represent the frontline of AI-powered development. Let’s break down ten of the most impactful tools that exemplify the vibe coding philosophy.

VS Code Extensions

1. GoCodeo

GoCodeo is an AI-powered coding agent designed to accelerate full-stack app development, from code generation all the way to deployment. Unlike tools that focus on isolated tasks, GoCodeo covers the entire software lifecycle, enabling developers to build, test, and deploy applications within a single, unified environment.

Key Features:
  • Full-Stack Automation: Supports 25+ frontend and backend frameworks with real-time modular code generation.

  • One-Click Deployment: Seamlessly deploy apps to Vercel and integrate backends with Supabase for database and authentication management.

  • Model Context Protocol (MCP): A powerful framework that connects GoCodeo to 100+ external tools (GitHub, Notion, Stripe, and more), enabling real-time, context-aware workflows.

  • AI-Powered Assistance: Integrated chat for code explanations, debugging insights, and documentation generation, all within the IDE.

  • Comprehensive Testing: AI-driven test generation and failure diagnostics improve code reliability without leaving your editor.

GoCodeo’s MCP framework is its standout innovation, allowing developers to build intelligent, chained workflows like:
fetch project specs from Notion → generate code → push updates to GitHub → deploy on Vercel, all orchestrated automatically by GoCodeo agents. This makes it more than just an AI autocomplete tool; it acts as an AI-powered project co-pilot.

Trade-offs:

Given its extensive capabilities, GoCodeo can present a learning curve, especially for users new to agentic AI workflows or MCP configuration. However, its flexibility and depth make it invaluable for teams and solo developers aiming to rapidly deliver production-ready full-stack applications.

Core Takeaway

GoCodeo exemplifies the future of vibe coding by offering an end-to-end AI app builder that integrates deeply with developer workflows and external services. Its unique real-time, context-aware automation empowers you to focus on product vision while it handles the complexities of coding, testing, and deployment, making it a must-know tool for developers pushing the boundaries of AI-assisted software development.

2. Amp

Amp is a fully autonomous coding agent, released in May 2025, that functions as both a VS Code extension and a command-line interface (CLI). Unlike traditional AI copilots, Amp is designed for engineers who demand clean, correct, and maintainable code, think of it as an AI that respects your architecture.

Key highlights:
  • Team-oriented by design: Amp introduces shareable agent threads, letting teams reuse and learn from each other's prompts and outcomes, like collaborative pair programming but asynchronous and AI-enhanced.

  • Unlimited depth with no guardrails: Amp uses a pay-per-token model without artificial limits on tooling or context size, which means it can autonomously execute deep reasoning chains and long-form code generation.

  • Works beyond the IDE: Its CLI mode supports Linux workflows and deterministic pipelines, opening the door to automation use cases like piping terminal commands into Amp for dynamic task generation (e.g., auto-generating scripts or configs on the fly).

Amp’s traction on X (formerly Twitter) among senior engineers signals strong early adoption, especially in teams focused on quality and automation.

Core Takeaway:

Amp exemplifies the power of autonomous AI coding agents built for collaborative environments, combining unrestricted AI creativity with team-oriented workflows. Its CLI support also opens doors to integrating vibe coding into sophisticated DevOps pipelines.

3. Augment

Augment is a VS Code extension designed to enhance your coding workflow by deeply integrating with your existing codebase. It does this by indexing and semantically analyzing your repository, enabling two core capabilities:

  • Intelligent Q&A over your code

  • Context-aware code completions

Once the indexing is complete, you can query Augment using natural language to locate functions, trace logic flows, or understand dependencies, particularly useful in large or unfamiliar codebases.

However, a few important caveats:

  • On the free tier, Augment’s privacy policy explicitly states that your codebase may be used for model training. This might be a dealbreaker for developers working on proprietary or sensitive projects.

  • As of now, Augment does not support agentic workflows or multi-step code planning (MCPs). It functions more like an enhanced autocomplete and search layer than a full autonomous AI pair programmer.

For developers who want intelligent code search without going full-agent mode, and are comfortable with the tradeoffs, Augment can be a helpful assistant in understanding and navigating complex codebases.

Core Takeaway:

Augment excels at code-aware assistance within your IDE, offering powerful indexing and contextual suggestions that streamline code navigation and comprehension. However, its privacy model and current feature scope make it more suited for individual use or open-source projects rather than fully autonomous vibe coding.

4. Cline

Cline offers a powerful vibe coding experience directly as a VS Code extension, allowing developers to benefit from advanced AI assistance without leaving their preferred IDE. Unlike tools like Cursor or Windsurf, which require a full VS Code fork, Cline integrates smoothly into existing workflows.

Key Features:
  • Agentic Task Automation:
    Describe complex development tasks in natural language, and Cline intelligently decomposes them into smaller, manageable steps. This capability streamlines feature building, especially when multiple interdependent components are involved.

  • UI-Aware Modifications:
    Cline analyzes component hierarchies (e.g., React or Vue) to suggest UI changes that maintain visual consistency and prevent unintended side effects, a critical aspect for large-scale frontend applications.

  • Predictive “Code Prediction” Engine:
    Moving beyond simple autocomplete, Cline anticipates your next coding needs by learning from your habits and the current context. This proactive assistance reduces repetitive work and accelerates development.
Considerations:
  • High Token Usage:
    Cline can consume a significant number of tokens, especially when used in an unrestricted or “YOLO” (You Only Live Once) mode. This may increase operational costs, so it’s important to balance freedom and control for cost efficiency.
Core Takeaway:

Cline represents a shift towards context-aware AI collaborators embedded in your IDE, enabling you to delegate complex coding workflows while retaining control. For those working on UI-intensive projects or seeking deeper task automation, it’s a compelling tool, provided you manage usage to avoid escalating costs.

5. Tempo Labs

Tempo Labs sits at the intersection of low-code and intermediate developer workflows, offering a balanced platform that caters to both visual builders and programmers comfortable with AI-assisted coding.

Key Highlights:
  • Flexible Tech Choices: At project start, you can select your preferred authentication and backend technologies, giving you control over core architecture decisions.

  • Automated Documentation & Visuals: One standout feature is its automatic generation of Product Requirements Documents (PRDs) and user flow diagrams alongside the codebase. This visual mapping of user journeys provides a clear, intuitive way to understand and refine app behavior.

  • Multi-Modal Development: Developers can seamlessly add components either through visual editing, AI prompts, or by exporting the code for further iteration with other AI tools, blending no-code, low-code, and code-first approaches.

  • Integrations: Built-in support for payment processing with Stripe and Polar, plus authentication and databases via Supabase or Convex, making it easy to scaffold common app functionalities quickly.

  • GitHub Integration (Work in Progress): A promising new feature allows importing existing GitHub repositories to jumpstart projects. While early trials with several Next.js repos faced issues, this capability holds potential to extend Tempo Labs’ usefulness beyond greenfield projects to existing codebases.

Trade-offs:

While Tempo Labs is not exclusively designed for no-coders, its hybrid approach offers solid tools for low-code and intermediate programmers. The current limitations in repo import functionality suggest it’s best suited for new projects or early-stage apps, though ongoing improvements may broaden its applicability.

Core Takeaway

Tempo Labs bridges the gap between visual app builders and developer-driven workflows by combining AI-powered code generation with strong project documentation and user flow visualization. Its versatile integration options and evolving GitHub sync feature position it as a compelling choice for teams looking to accelerate app development without fully abandoning code-level control.

6. Bolt.new / Bolt.diy

Bolt.new, developed by Stackblitz, offers a visually-driven full-stack app builder powered by AI, designed to streamline development with an emphasis on seamless design-to-code workflows.

Key Features:
  • Design-to-Code Integration: One of Bolt.new’s standout capabilities is its direct import of designs from Figma, which it then converts into working application code, bridging the gap between designers and developers effortlessly.

  • Web Containers & Browser IDE: Leveraging Stackblitz’s innovative web container technology, Bolt.new runs a full Node.js environment directly in the browser. This allows you to edit the entire codebase live in a Visual Studio Code–like interface without local setup, providing a consistent development experience accessible from anywhere.

  • Supabase Integration: Bolt.new supports backend functionality with Supabase, enabling authentication and CRUD operations out of the box, facilitating quick setup of essential app infrastructure.

  • GitHub Import: Recently added support lets you import existing projects from GitHub to continue development inside the Stackblitz environment. While this import works well for code editing, the imported projects aren’t yet fully compatible with the Bolt.new visual builder interface, an area with potential for future enhancement.

  • Missing Payment Integration: At present, Bolt.new does not offer native support for payment gateways like Stripe or Polar, which could be a consideration for apps requiring monetization features.

Trade-offs:

Bolt.new excels in bridging design and development and offers a powerful cloud-based IDE, but lacks some out-of-the-box backend and payment integrations found in other platforms. Its GitHub import feature is promising but still evolving, limiting its use for established projects that need full visual editing capabilities.

Core Takeaway

Bolt.new stands out for its seamless Figma-to-code pipeline and cloud IDE powered by web containers, making it an excellent choice for developers and designers collaborating on new projects. While backend and payment integrations are currently limited, its continuous improvements, especially in GitHub project imports, hint at strong potential for broader applicability.

7.Lovable.dev

Lovable.dev shines as one of the most approachable full-stack AI tools for non-coders and low-code developers, offering a smooth balance between visual UI-driven app building and traditional coding workflows.

Key Features:
  • Targeted AI-Driven Edits: Unlike many no-code platforms, Lovable.dev lets you select specific parts of your app or webpage and request precise, focused AI-powered modifications, making iterative tweaks intuitive and efficient.

  • Supabase Integration: Fully supports Supabase for authentication and backend database CRUD operations, enabling rapid backend setup without manual configuration.

  • GitHub Sync: Lovable.dev integrates with your GitHub repositories, allowing seamless synchronization between visual app development and manual code editing. When you push changes to your main branch, Lovable automatically pulls updates, enabling a smooth back-and-forth workflow between your favorite code editor and Lovable’s visual interface.

  • End-to-End App Deployment: Build and deploy entire full-stack applications using AI prompts, combining ease of use with robust backend support.

Trade-offs:

Lovable.dev focuses heavily on usability and flexibility for low-code users but may lack some advanced developer-centric customization features found in more code-first platforms. Its tight GitHub integration, however, makes it an excellent choice for teams wanting the best of both worlds.

Core Takeaway

Lovable.dev stands out by blending no-code simplicity with powerful GitHub integration, empowering users to effortlessly switch between AI-driven visual development and hands-on coding. It’s particularly ideal for those seeking targeted AI edits and a flexible workflow without sacrificing backend robustness.

8. Cursor

Cursor is one of the pioneers in the vibe coding ecosystem, initially launched as an AI assistant for chatting and generating code completions. Shortly after, they introduced Composer, a feature that lets users directly instruct the AI agent to modify code, accelerating the shift from simple assistance to active code generation and refactoring.

More recently, Cursor expanded its capabilities by adding support for MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers, enabling integration with pre-built tools and services. This advancement allows developers to orchestrate complex app-building workflows entirely via AI prompts, enhancing automation and productivity.

Trade-offs:

While Cursor’s feature set is powerful, it has grown increasingly complex. Users often need to manage additional configuration such as rules files and context files to prevent the agent from making unwanted or repetitive changes, especially in larger, more complicated codebases. This overhead can diminish the seamless experience the tool initially promised.

Core Takeaway

Cursor exemplifies early innovation in AI-driven coding environments, evolving from a simple chat-based assistant to a powerful AI orchestrator with MCP support. However, its growing complexity requires users to invest effort in fine-tuning configurations, which can be a hurdle for maintaining smooth, mistake-free development at scale.

9. Windsurf

Windsurf is another VS Code fork with a feature set very similar, if not nearly identical, to Cursor. When it comes to user experience, Windsurf tends to feel more polished and intuitive, providing a smoother interaction overall. However, the AI-generated results tend to be comparable since, like Cursor, Windsurf struggles with maintaining consistent context as the codebase scales and evolves.

Windsurf also supports MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers, enabling integration with external tools and services to enhance AI-assisted development workflows.

A standout feature Windsurf has introduced, currently absent in Cursor, is the ability to preview your application directly inside the code editor. This real-time app preview offers developers immediate visual feedback, which can significantly speed up the development and debugging process. It’s likely this functionality will become a standard across similar tools soon.

Core Takeaway

Windsurf delivers a smoother user experience compared to Cursor and adds useful innovations like in-editor app previews. However, it faces similar challenges in maintaining long-term contextual awareness of growing codebases, limiting AI effectiveness over extended projects.

10. Trae

Trae is another VS Code fork developed by the team behind TikTok, bringing a focus on an improved user experience and a very generous free tier. It offers a smooth, approachable interface that can appeal to many developers, especially those just starting or working on smaller projects.

However, Trae lacks MCP integration, which limits its ability to connect with external tools and services for a full end-to-end AI-assisted app build. This means it’s not designed to be a one-stop solution for comprehensive development workflows.

Additionally, Trae suffers from limited context management, so it struggles to maintain understanding of large or evolving codebases. This makes it less suitable for working on existing projects or collaborating within teams, where continuous context and multi-user coordination are crucial.

Core Takeaway

Trae shines with its user-friendly design and generous free usage but falls short in advanced integrations and context handling, making it more suited for small-scale or solo projects rather than complex, team-driven development.

AI-driven development tools are no longer futuristic concepts, they are here, transforming how developers approach full-stack application creation. Each platform reviewed in this blog offers distinct advantages: VS Code forks excel at providing a familiar coding interface enhanced with AI-assisted code generation, while full-stack AI builders like GoCodeo empower developers with seamless integrations, visual design-to-code workflows, and robust backend automation. The right choice hinges on your project complexity, collaboration needs, and willingness to embrace emerging AI workflows. As these tools mature, expect richer context-awareness, tighter integrations, and smarter automation, all accelerating your journey from concept to deployment with unprecedented speed and precision.

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