Vibe Coding Doesn't Require LLMs

Sun, 10 Aug 2025 06:25:00 -0600

I recently read I Know When You’re Vibe Coding by Alex Kondov in which he described certain characteristic “smells” of vibe-coded software. For example, he points to LLMs proclivity to pave their own path and go against established patterns within a project.

The article resonated with me, but I realized that it resonated with me at a deeper level than just explaining my interactions with LLM-written software. I realized that I’ve seen these “smells” before in pre-LLM software (especially that written by students).

AI on Sumner Evans

Vibe Coding Doesn't Require LLMs