Vibe Coding represents a paradigm shift in software development. At its core, it transitions developers from writing specific code to defining clear intentions and specifications, allowing AI to automatically assemble and execute these intentions to build and evolve software systems. This article provides a set of forward-looking development guidance principles for Vibe Coding. These principles, while imbued with a positive and idealistic tone, inevitably depend on future developments (such as model capabilities, security governance, and engineering tools). Therefore, in our view, they can be regarded as a set of “working hypotheses” that encourage thinking, discussion, exploration, and empirical testing, rather than fully mature engineering dogmas.
Everything is Data
Model parameters, intention prompts, AI-generated code, runtime logs, and policy configurations are essentially digital artifacts that require unified management. Therefore, as Vibe Coding evolves, we need to establish a unified data governance system that covers permissions, version control, lineage tracking, compliance, and audit requirements for comprehensive data governance.
Avoid Data Deletion
While adhering to privacy, regulatory, and cost requirements, programs should avoid deleting data as much as possible, including the code itself, to prevent information loss. Allow data to be protected under a “time machine” for restoration at any time.
Code is Capability, Intentions and Interfaces are Long-term Assets
The focus of development work will shift from traditional “source code files” to high-level “intention descriptions” (such as prompts, policies, or strict specifications). Code is often a disposable consumable, potentially a one-time product generated for a specific moment, and can be reshaped or replaced by AI on demand at any time. Our efforts will concentrate on refining and maintaining those “golden contracts” with long-term value: clear prompts and other intention specifications, stable interface contracts, and uncompromising security and compliance standards.
Do Not Manually Edit Code
We should treat current prompts as the code of the past, and current code as the executables of the past. Strive to eliminate the habit of manually modifying code, and instead focus modifications on intentions such as prompts, interface specifications, and the like.
Connect All Capabilities with Standards
Adopt standardized communication protocols (such as future MCP and its evolved versions), unified data structures (schemas), and semantic layers to ensure that different programs within the system (including agents and models) can collaborate and interoperate efficiently on a unified, secure, and precise semantic foundation.
AI Assembles, Aligned with Humans
The assembly and connection of software and business processes are primarily handled by AI. AI intelligently selects, orchestrates, and connects components based on capability descriptions and intention specifications. Humans, as the highest authority, define macro goals and set constraint boundaries, holding unshakeable final decision-making power in cases of conflict or when value judgments are required.
Rely on Self-Organizing Micro-Programs to "Build with Blocks"
Capability units are micro-programs, and we even intentionally control the scale of AI-developed programs, relying on these capability units to self-organize and “build with blocks” to form larger systems. The system’s form is no longer a pre-fixed architectural blueprint but a dynamic self-organization and collaboration among numerous programs under predefined policy constraints. The core mission of architectural design shifts to defining “capability types, constraint boundaries, and their evolution rules.”
Verification and Observation are the Core of System Success
The primary standard for measuring the reliability of any Vibe System lies in its high observability of behavior, strict testability, and clear accountability. These verification and observation mechanisms form the core safeguards for system success.
Everyone Programs, Professional Governance
By mastering Vibe Coding methods, non-professional users such as business/management personnel, and even agents themselves, can participate in the creation or combination of programs (capability units). The role of professionals is elevated, focusing on security audits, ecosystem governance, maintenance of critical infrastructure, and the formulation of core standards.
From Software Engineering to Software Ecosystem
The focus of professional software personnel shifts from individual projects to the ecosystem: standards, governance, collaboration, incentives, reputation, resource scheduling, and collaborative evolution. We must elevate to the prosperity and governance of the entire software ecosystem.