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Vibe coding setup: editor, headphones, neon ambiance

How to Set Up a Vibe Coding Environment

Intro: Your Vibe Coding Setup Guide

Vibe Coding is about keeping momentum. Instead of ceremony and friction, you focus on small wins and fast loops. The main idea is to break down bigger problems into smaller, manageable pieces and tackle them one at a time. This keeps the workflow lightweight and helps avoid getting stuck. The rhythm:
Create a folder →
Write a lightweight PRD →
Use ChatGPT to pick a stack and shape scope →
Install a coding agent in VS Code (e.g., Codex or Copilot) →
Feed build prompts →
Test →
Iterate.

0) Write a lightweight PRD (5–10 minutes) — PRD Tutorial

A PRD (Product Requirements Document) is a short, focused plan that describes what you want to build and why. It helps you clarify your goals, align your ideas, and avoid scope creep before you write a single line of code.

A PRD keeps you honest about what you’re building before you ask any AI to build it.

PRD Template

  • Title:
  • Problem: What pain are we solving? For whom?
  • Outcome: What should exist when we’re “done” (v1)?
  • Audience/User: Who uses it and why now?
  • Scope (v1): 3–5 bullet features max
  • Non‑Goals: What we are not building yet
  • Measures of Done: 3–5 acceptance criteria you can check locally

Example (mini)

  • Title: Vibe Blog Slice
  • Problem: I want a simple place to publish notes with cover images.
  • Outcome: A single page that lists posts newest‑first and links to details.
  • Scope: Post list, post page, RSS later.
  • Non‑Goals: Auth, comments, CMS.
  • Measures: Page loads locally; 3 posts render; no console errors.

1) Install the essentials — Step-by-Step Tool Setup

Visual Studio Code (editor)
Download: https://code.visualstudio.com/download
This will be your main workspace where you edit files, run code, and manage your project. You’ll use it to open your project folder, track changes, and interact with your coding agent.

ChatGPT Desktop App
Download: https://chatgpt.com/download/
Use this app for ideation and writing prompts. Keep it open alongside Visual Studio Code so you can bounce between brainstorming ideas, refining your PRD, and writing build prompts to send to your coding agent.

Helpful VS Code extensions

Coding Agent Options

  • GitHub Copilot
  • Codex

My Recommended Setup

  • Visual Studio Code
  • Prettier extension
  • Codex (or Copilot)
  • ChatGPT Desktop App
  • Notes app for jotting down PRD ideas and prompts

2) Create your project folder & init Git — Folder Setup & Git Init

Start clean and start tracked:

mkdir my-vibe-project && cd my-vibe-project
git init

Make a first commit early so diffs are visible.

echo "# My Vibe Project" > README.md
git add -A && git commit -m "chore: init project"

3) Outline your folder / file structure (before building) — Minimal File Tree Guide

Draft the minimal structure that matches your PRD. Keep it tiny. Example:

my-vibe-project/
  README.md
  package.json
  src/
    index.(html|js|ts)
    styles/
      global.css
    components/
      Header.(js|ts|jsx|tsx)
      Footer.(js|ts|jsx|tsx)
  public/
    images/
      posts/
      logos/

If you’re unsure, ask ChatGPT for a proposal: “Suggest a minimal file tree for a {web/mobile/desktop/game} v1 that does X. Keep it small.”

4) Design with prompts in ChatGPT (ideation) — Prompt Templates & Ideation

Use prompt templates to clarify scope and acceptance criteria.

Project Vision Prompt

You are my product partner. Summarize the core problem, target user, desired outcome, and a 2–3 sentence vision for a minimal v1 of "{PROJECT}".

Feature Spec Prompt

Draft a concise spec for {FEATURE}. Include: user story, inputs/outputs, edge cases, and a clear acceptance criteria list.

File Tree Prompt

Propose a minimal file tree for {STACK} implementing {FEATURE}. Keep it small; prefer single‑file components and clear paths.

Acceptance Criteria Prompt

Write acceptance criteria for {FEATURE} that can be checked after a local build. Focus on visible outcomes, not implementation details.

Quick example

Feature: Simple starter project
Story: As a creator, I want a barebones setup I can expand on.
Outputs: Project initializes with a main page, clear structure, and placeholder content.
Edge: If no content, show a friendly placeholder.
Acceptance: Project runs locally, structure is clean, starter page loads.

5) Set up your coding agent in VS Code — Coding Agent Setup

Open your project folder in Visual Studio Code. Install/sign in to your chosen agent extension from above. Then use a “build prompt” to make concrete changes to the repo.

Build Prompt Template

You are my coding agent working in this repo. Implement the following:
- Initialize/ensure deps as needed
- Create/update files exactly as specified
- Do not start the dev server
- Output a brief summary of changed files

Requirements
1) {REQUIREMENT ONE}
2) {REQUIREMENT TWO}
...

Example Build Prompt (generic)

Create (or update) a single‑column home page with a sticky translucent header and a dark neutral palette. Include an H1 "Hello Vibe" and a short subtitle. No grids. Add basic styles in a global stylesheet. Update README with run/build instructions.

6) Test locally and iterate — Local Testing & Iteration

Run the usual loop (adjust to your stack):

npm install
npm run dev    # or: npm run start / pnpm dev / bun dev

Check the acceptance criteria from your PRD. When something feels off, tweak your prompts (or ask your agent for a small diff patch) and iterate.

Commit in small slices:

git add -A && git commit -m "feat: first slice"

7) Session checklist — Focus Your Vibe Coding Session

  • Clear goal for this session
  • One focused build prompt
  • Acceptance criteria written down
  • Timebox (e.g., 45 minutes)
  • Ship a real slice

8) FAQ (short + sweet) — Quick Answers for Your Setup

Which stack should I pick? Use the PRD outcomes and constraints (time, hosting, skills). Ask ChatGPT for 2–3 stack options with pros/cons.

How do I keep code quality? Let acceptance criteria, lint/test prompts, and small iterations enforce it.

What if my prompt bombs? Shrink scope, ask for a diff‑only fix, retry.

How should I approach big projects? Break them down into smaller chunks. Tackle one piece at a time and ship it. Vibe coding is about steady progress, not overwhelming yourself with the whole problem at once.

Resources & Downloads — Essential Tools & Links

Closing — Final Thoughts on Your Vibe Coding Setup

Create your project folder, write a quick PRD, let ChatGPT help you choose a stack, then use a coding agent to build in small slices. Test, commit, and keep the loop light.

Describe the dream. Let AI draft it. You steer the vibe.

If you’d like to dive deeper, have questions, or share your own vibe coding journey, feel free to reach out to me via email at dude@thecodeabides.com or on socials (Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Reddit). I’d love to connect.

See also