What is vibe coding? Build a real website with AI, from idea to live

Many people have had an idea for a website or an app for a long time, but got stuck because they can't code, or don't have time to learn HTML, JavaScript and databases. There is now another way to build, called vibe coding: you tell an AI what you want, and it writes the code, tests it and fixes it until it works.

This article explains what vibe coding is, who it suits, which tools you need, and how to make sure the site your AI builds doesn't stay on your computer but goes online for real people to use.

In short
✅ Vibe coding means building software by talking to an AI: you describe what you want in plain language and the AI writes the code
✅ You use an AI agent on a computer, such as Claude Code, Codex, Cursor or Windsurf, which can create files and run programs on your machine
✅ The main steps: describe the idea → let the AI build it → try it and fix it → put it online → keep improving
✅ BrewInTH makes the "online" part easy: you give the AI a link and a token
✅ You still test it yourself and look after security: the AI helps a lot, but it isn't always right

What is vibe coding?

"Vibe coding" is the term AI researcher Andrej Karpathy used in early 2025 for a new way of programming. Instead of typing code line by line, you describe what you want in plain language and let the AI write the code. Then you look at the result, say what to change, and keep the conversation going until you have what you want.

Put simply, you are the owner of the idea and the reviewer, and the AI is the developer who does the typing.

Who is vibe coding for, and what can you build?

• Business owners: a shop website, a booking system, an order form
• Freelancers and creators: a portfolio, a landing page for a course
• Students and teachers: class projects, small games, teaching materials
• Teams at work: internal tools, such as a supplies request system or a dashboard
• Developers: prototypes, or a backend for a mobile app, finished faster

If you can describe it in words, there's a good chance you can build it with vibe coding.

Which tools do you need?

The heart of vibe coding is an AI agent that runs on a computer (PC or Mac), because it can create files, run commands, test and fix code in your folder by itself. Popular ones include:

• Claude Code in the Claude desktop app (Code tab) or in a terminal
• OpenAI's Codex
• Cursor
• Windsurf

AI chat apps on phones can help you brainstorm or explain code, but they can't build and run a project on your machine, so do the building and deploying on a computer.

5 steps of vibe coding, from idea to a site people can use

Step 1: Describe the idea clearly

The more detail you give, the closer the AI gets. Answer three questions before you start: who will use it, which pages it needs, and what data it keeps. For example:

I want a booking site for a barber shop
- Customers pick a date, a time and a barber
- The owner signs in to a back office with a password to see and cancel bookings
- It works well on phones

Step 2: Let the AI build and run it locally

Open your AI agent in an empty folder for this project, paste your idea, and let the AI create the code and open it on your computer. Unless you have special requirements, it will pick suitable technology by itself.

Step 3: Try it like a real user

Click every button, type wrong data on purpose, and open it on a phone. When something looks off, tell the AI plainly and attach a screenshot or the error message. It will find the cause and fix it.

Step 4: Put it online with BrewInTH

When you're happy, create a project on BrewInTH and copy the Ready-made message for your AI, which contains the link and the token, into the same chat. The AI uploads, builds, connects the database and deploys until you have a link with HTTPS that anyone can open. The details are in What is BrewInTH and how do you use it?

Step 5: Keep improving in the same chat

Want a new feature or different wording? Keep chatting in the same chat and ask for a new deploy. Your site stays online while it updates. More in Already on BrewInTH? How to publish your changes

Tips to get good results, safely

• One thing at a time. Split big jobs into steps, e.g. the booking page first, then the back office
• Give examples. Attach a screenshot of a site you like, or write sample data
• Have the AI test every time. Say "make sure the tests pass, then deploy"
• Keep secrets in the right place. Passwords, API keys and other services' tokens belong in the project's secrets, not in the code
• Open the AI in the project's folder only, especially when you let it work without stopping, e.g. Bypass permissions in Claude Code
• Ask the AI to explain. If you don't understand what the code does, ask for a plain-language summary

Things to watch out for

• The AI can be wrong. Code that seems to work may break in cases you haven't tried, so test it before other people use it
• User data always matters. If the site keeps names, phone numbers or personal data, have the AI check security, and back up regularly
• Anything involving money, like taking payments, deserves a review by an expert before it goes live

Why BrewInTH suits vibe coding

• The AI deploys by itself: give it a link and a token, no server setup
• Databases ready to use: PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, MongoDB and Redis
• HTTPS and a free site name, like your-site.host.brewinth.net
• Roll back any time: every deploy is kept, and you can bring an earlier one back
• Free to start, no credit card needed

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to know how to code?

No, but the more you understand the basics, the better you can direct and check the work. Start with a small project and ask the AI to explain as it goes; it's a good way to learn.

Can a vibe-coded site be used for real?

Yes, if it's tested and you look after security. Shop sites, booking systems and internal tools are good fits. Anything involving money or sensitive data deserves an extra careful review.

Which AI should I use?

Claude Code, Codex, Cursor and Windsurf all work with BrewInTH. Choose the one you're comfortable with and can afford; each has its own plans and pricing.

Can I do it on my phone?

Building and deploying still needs a computer. Checking your site's status and managing domains on BrewInTH work from a phone.

What does it cost?

Two things: your AI tool, according to its own plans, and BrewInTH hosting, which is free to start and can be upgraded when your site needs more resources. See the pricing page.

Summary

Vibe coding lets you start a website from your idea and your own words, not from months of learning to code. Describe it clearly, let the AI build and test it, try it yourself until you're confident, then put it online with BrewInTH. The idea that lived in your head becomes something people can actually use.

Start your first project for free →

Related articles

• What is BrewInTH and how do you use it?
• Already on BrewInTH? How to publish your changes