Yes, You Can Vibe-Code. Here’s How to Get Started.
Creating your own programs might seem daunting. It’s a lot easier than you think.
Stop Wasting Time on Boring Tasks: Your Guide to Vibe Coding
Remember the last time you spent hours on a mind-numbing task—reorganizing a messy spreadsheet, renaming dozens of files, or merging endless documents? I certainly do. But here's the thing: you don't have to suffer through these digital chores anymore.
Welcome to the world of "vibe coding," where AI writes custom programs to handle your most tedious work tasks. And no, you don't need to be a programmer to make this work.
What Exactly Is Vibe Coding?
Think of vibe coding as having a personal coding assistant who does all the technical heavy lifting while you simply describe what you need. Want to add dates to file names? Need to combine a folder full of PDFs into one document? Just ask an AI like ChatGPT or Claude to write you a script.
A script is essentially a mini-program that automates repetitive tasks. You describe the problem in plain English, the AI generates the code, and you run it whenever you need it. Simple as that.
Why You Should Care
Just like graphic design and document formatting have become accessible to non-designers, coding is becoming democratized. Vibe coding is quickly moving from "tech enthusiast hobby" to "essential workplace skill"—and it's easier to get started than you might think.
Sure, there are specialized tools like Claude Code that offer advanced features, but most people should start with the basics: generating simple scripts through regular AI chat sessions, then copying and running them yourself.
Real-World Examples to Inspire You
Here are some practical tasks that vibe coding can handle:
Combining Files
I used to spend days gathering receipts for my accountant. Now a simple script merges all PDFs in a folder into one document. I've done the same with emails, turning dozens of messages into a single reference file, or combining short documents into one comprehensive draft.
Extracting Specific Information
Need to pull email addresses from hundreds of old messages? There's a script for that. I've also converted all the hyperlinks in a Word document into properly formatted footnotes—a task that would've taken hours manually.
Converting File Types
Have PDFs that should be text files? Spreadsheets that should be documents? Vibe coding handles these conversions effortlessly.
Image Processing
When posting to my blog or Instagram, images need specific dimensions. A quick script resizes entire folders of images to maintain consistent sizing across my website.
Cleaning Up Data
Those annoying garbage characters that appear when downloading files? I created a cleanup utility that fixes them automatically so everything opens cleanly in Excel.
Your Step-by-Step Getting Started Guide
Start Small and Simple
Don't wait for the perfect project. The next time a repetitive task annoys you, ask an AI if vibe coding could help. Start with high-success-rate projects like combining files or performing simple calculations.
Your first script might be as straightforward as: "Write a script that converts a folder full of Word docs to PDFs." If you can describe your problem in one or two sentences, you're ready to start.
Create Your Coding Coach
Tell ChatGPT or Claude your exact tech level from the beginning. Never touched code before? Say so explicitly. The AI will walk you through every step, and whenever something's unclear, just ask for clarification. This isn't about knowing the "right" questions—it's about getting comfortable asking for help.
Build Your Skills Gradually
As scripts become familiar, tackle more complex projects. That's when platforms like Claude Code become valuable—they make writing, troubleshooting, and running scripts faster and more efficient.
Stay Safe and Secure
Before running any script, ask the AI to identify potential risks. Better yet, get a second opinion from another AI. Always back up your computer before starting a coding project, and limit AI access to a dedicated folder just for vibe coding experiments.
The Bigger Picture
Here's what makes vibe coding truly valuable: it's not just about automating tasks. It's about discovering that you can learn and accomplish things that once seemed beyond your reach.
When you successfully write your first script, you realize that AI isn't just a tool for answering questions—it's a bridge to skills you never thought you'd develop. And in a world where technology evolves constantly, that confidence to learn new things might be the most valuable outcome of all.
So the next time you're staring down a tedious task, ask yourself: "Could I write a script for this?" The answer might surprise you.
Ready to try vibe coding? Start with one small, annoying task and see where it takes you. Your future self will thank you.