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Guides for vibe coders
The big questions, answered the way a friend would: honestly, in plain words, with sources. Each guide links to the dictionary for every term it uses.
Start with the big questions
Understanding, learning, owning: the questions underneath all the other ones.
Do you need to understand the code your AI writes?
Do you need to understand the code your AI writes, or is directing it enough? A real study, a named cost, and what actually helps you ship safely.
Should you still learn to code in 2026?
Should you learn to code before vibe coding with AI? No on memorizing syntax, yes on reading code and understanding what it does.
Who owns the code your AI writes?
Who owns code your AI agent writes, you or the AI company? What Anthropic and OpenAI's terms actually say, and where copyright law gets murky.
Do I actually need a backend?
You need a backend the moment your app shares data between users or hides a secret. The test that decides it, and why some API keys can live in the browser.
Ship without fear
What to check, test, and lock down before real people use your app.
How do you know if your vibe-coded app is secure?
How do you know if your vibe-coded app is secure? A checklist covering exposed API keys, open databases, input validation, and dependencies.
What should you check before shipping your vibe coded app?
The pre-ship checklist for vibe coded apps, ordered by damage: secrets, database rules, rate limits, and the checks you can run without an engineer.
How do you test an app when you can't read the code?
Manual journeys, a break-it pass, and agent-written Playwright tests: how to test an AI-built app honestly when you can't read the code.
Your API key leaked. Here's what to do right now.
Your API key leaked on GitHub or in a screenshot? This is the exact order of steps to take right now, starting with the one that stops it.
Why does your app work on localhost but break in production?
Why does your app work on localhost but break in production? The 5 most common causes, ranked, with the quick check for each one.
How do I add login to my vibe coded app?
Add login the safe way: use a managed provider, never store passwords yourself, and set database rules so a logged-in stranger can't read everyone's data.
Can I accept payments in my vibe coded app?
Yes, safely, if a payment provider hosts the card page so numbers never touch your code and your secret key stays server-side. Keys, test cards, webhooks, go-live.
When your AI gets stuck
Loops, amnesia, and things that break: why it happens and how to get out.
Why is your AI stuck fixing the same bug over and over?
Why does your AI keep patching the same bug without fixing it, and what breaks the loop instead of sending one more prompt?
Why does your AI keep forgetting what you were doing?
Why does your AI forget rules, repeat fixed bugs, or lose track mid-session? How context fills up, what compaction erases, and what actually helps.
Why does everything break when you change one small thing?
Why does fixing one small bug break three other things? The real causes (invisible coupling, no tests, agents that overreach) and the fix.
How do I read an error message without panicking?
An error has three parts: what broke, where, and the trail. Read the first line and the first file you recognize, then hand your agent the exact text.
Tools and money
Picking your tool, knowing what it costs, and staying free to leave.
Claude Code vs Cursor vs Lovable: which one should you use?
Never coded, want to learn, or already live in an editor? How Claude Code, Cursor, and Lovable compare, with real 2026 prices.
What is MCP, and do you actually need it?
What is MCP (Model Context Protocol) and do you actually need one? What it unlocks, when beginners can skip it, and how to add one safely.
How much does vibe coding actually cost per month?
What does vibe coding actually cost per month? Real July 2026 prices for Claude Pro/Max, Cursor, Lovable, and API pay-as-you-go, by how much you build.
How do you move your app off Lovable?
Moving off Lovable: what GitHub sync covers, how to export Lovable Cloud data, when to bring your own Supabase, and redeploying on Vercel or Netlify.
Can I vibe code a mobile app?
Yes, and the honest beginner paths are a PWA, a Capacitor wrap, or Expo and React Native. What the App Store and Google Play really cost, review, and reject.
Reading about your own session beats reading about ours
Paste what your agent just did into the free tool and get a plain-language explanation, plus what to check before you ship it.