Notes, laptop, and coffee cup on desk — PRD writing vibes

Why Every Vibe Coder Needs a PRD

Intro: What Even Is a PRD?

When you are vibe coding, the magic is in the flow. You are in the zone, ideas are coming fast, and AI is helping you turn thoughts into working code. But here is the catch: flow without direction can leave you with half-built folders, random files, and no clear outcome. It feels good in the moment but falls apart later.

A PRD, or Product Requirements Document, is your vibe coding compass. It is not a corporate document filled with fluff. It is a simple, lightweight guide that says this is what I am building, this is why it matters, and this is what done looks like. Think of it as your north star. With a PRD in place, you know what to tell your coding agent, how to keep your sessions focused, and when to stop tweaking and actually ship.

Why PRDs Matter in Vibe Coding

They fight scope creep

When you are flowing, it is easy to keep adding more features. A PRD locks in your version one goals. You can write down future ideas, but your PRD keeps you anchored in today’s mission.

They sharpen your prompts

AI coding partners thrive on clarity. If your PRD clearly outlines the problem, outcome, and acceptance criteria, your prompts become sharper and your build goes smoother. Instead of asking “make me a blog,” you ask “create a single column blog index page that lists posts newest first, with titles, descriptions, and cover images.”

They make iteration faster

Each vibe coding session should start with clarity. A PRD helps you avoid analysis paralysis. You can look at your PRD, pick the next slice, and immediately start building.

They give you confidence to ship

Vibe coding is not about perfection. It is about shipping and iterating. With a PRD, you know exactly when your project is good enough for version one. No more endless tweaking. You can launch, share, and move forward.

The Anatomy of a Vibe-Friendly PRD

Keep it short, but make it clear. One page is all you need. Your PRD should read like notes to your future self.

Title: A simple name for your project.
Problem: What pain are you solving? Who is it for?
Outcome: What should exist when you are done with version one?
Audience/User: Who will use this and why?
Scope (v1): Choose three to five features. Less is more.
Non-Goals: Write down what you are not building yet. This prevents distractions.
Measures of Done: Three to five items you can verify locally. Examples: “page loads without console errors” or “form saves correctly to the database.”

Example: A Tiny Blog PRD

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 detail pages.
Audience/User: Creators who want to publish fast without complex setup.
Scope (v1): Post list, post page, simple tag support.
Non-Goals: No authentication, no comments, no CMS.
Measures of Done: Three posts render correctly, pages link properly, build runs without errors.

This is short, easy to understand, and gives both you and your coding agent a clear path.

How to Write One Quickly

Open your Notes app, Notion, or a new markdown file.
Set a timer for 5 to 10 minutes. The key is speed, not perfection.
Fill in each section of the template. Use plain language.
Save it and use it to guide your build prompts.
Share it with ChatGPT: “Here is my PRD. Suggest prompts to build it.”

Your PRD will evolve as your project evolves. Update it when you learn something new or pivot. It is not set in stone — it is a living document.

The Vibe Coding PRD Ritual

PRDs are not a buzzkill. They are part of the vibe. Think of them as the warm-up before a good coding session.

Set the mood. Play your favorite playlist, get ready to write.
Write before you code. Ten minutes of focus now saves hours of confusion later.
Anchor your flow. With a PRD, you do not have to juggle everything in your head. You can relax and focus on building.

A PRD is the ritual that turns chaotic energy into productive flow.

Prompt Examples You Can Use Right Away

Once you have your PRD, these prompts can translate it into real progress:

File Tree Prompt

Propose a minimal file tree for a blog project with posts, a homepage, and a layout file. Keep it small and clear.

Acceptance Criteria Prompt

Write acceptance criteria for the blog index page. Focus on visible outcomes: titles, dates, links, and handling of no posts.

Build Prompt

You are my coding agent. Implement the blog index page based on my PRD. Single column, newest posts first, with cover images and short descriptions. Do not start the dev server. Print a summary of files changed.

Downloadable PRD Template

Here is a starter template you can copy and paste into your notes app or repo:

# Product Requirements Document (PRD)

**Title:** <Project name>  
**Problem:** <What problem are we solving?>  
**Outcome:** <What should exist when v1 is done?>  
**Audience/User:** <Who will use this?>  
**Scope (v1):**

- Feature 1
- Feature 2
- Feature 3

**Non-Goals:**

- Feature not included yet
- Feature not included yet

**Measures of Done:**

- Check 1
- Check 2
- Check 3

Save this as project-name-prd.md and use it as your anchor for the entire build.

⸻

Codex Prompt to Automate PRD Workflow

Here is a Codex prompt you can drop straight into your coding agent to make PRDs part of your workflow:

You are my coding agent working in this repo.

Task:

- Create a new folder named `docs` in the project root if it does not exist.
- Inside `docs`, create a file named `PROJECT-PRD.md`.
- Use the PRD template provided below as the file contents.
- Do not start the dev server. Output a summary of created or updated files.

Template:

# Product Requirements Document (PRD)

**Title:** <Project name>  
**Problem:** <What problem are we solving?>  
**Outcome:** <What should exist when v1 is done?>  
**Audience/User:** <Who will use this?>  
**Scope (v1):**

- Feature 1
- Feature 2
- Feature 3

**Non-Goals:**

- Feature not included yet
- Feature not included yet

**Measures of Done:**

- Check 1
- Check 2
- Check 3

⸻

Closing

The PRD is not paperwork. It is your foundation. It keeps your sessions focused, sharpens your prompts, and helps you ship projects that feel finished instead of half-baked.

Write it down. Break it small. Ship it fast.

If you want feedback on your PRD or you are not sure where to start, reach out: dude@thecodeabides.com or connect with me on socials. I would love to hear about your vibe coding journey.

See also

The Duder