I guess it's called Vibe Coding

2026-02-19

I figured out I could use ChatGPT to write code and help me do stuff. I didn’t fully understand the limitations and weak points though. It’s possible and apparently it’s called “vibe coding”. Had no idea. But I was doing it and it was working.

I can see where this is super dangerous. After getting quite far in a few projects, I can see where it’s going to be a while before it’s truly perfect/viable to use AI to do stuff like this. At least without some knowledge of what is going on in a general sense. I have an immense amount of experience managing development projects. I only have basic knowledge of HTML/CSS/JS, but understand how WordPress works, how to test and review, and how to talk with developers to progress a project. That all becomes very helpful in managing a project with ChatGPT.

I basically become a copy/paste shoveler, but I know enough to catch inconsistencies, sense when it’s introducing ideas and methods that are off topic or have been already tried, etc. That has given me quite a bit of freedom try things out and get some ground covered.

Working with AI

I opened a few cans of worms up. Mainly to get some experience doing stuff. The goal was not really to finish anything but to go through the paces and get some familiarity.

SSOTs and ADRs

One very important thing was figuring out HOW to talk to and work with the AI. I have began running SSOTs and ADRs and store everything like that in Obsidian. This has helped keep projects aligned and have continuity from chat to chat. I was having a terrible time with chats getting too long and bogging down and then having no continuity as I went into a new chat. SSOTs and ADRs have helped but are not perfect. The AI will violate my requirements at times in the same breath when it promises not to. Pain. Suffering.

I did try using Claude for a while but it eventually did the same thing. However, I do think I am getting to know where the dangers are and am approaching things in smaller chunks now.

Git

One powerful tool I am using now is Git. While I couldn’t use Git on my own yet, but know I can if I try and use it more. However, AI helps me use it effectively. I don’t want to bog down progress by trying to understand or know EVERYTHING I am doing. This is a powerful tool anyone would have used at any point if it were available. Not entertaining boomers talking down about it. Sorry, you had to learn it on your own. It’s 2026 now and I don’t have to do this the hard way. Same like not having to cross oceans in sailboats and stuff like that. This is just how it’s going to be done now.

I had envisioned a more substantial backup process. The more I learned the more I expected managing variations and versions to be a monster. Git is amazing though and so simple. I love it. Can’t wait to understand it more and use it more freely.