I'm about to share my incredible journey into the world of vibe coding, and how it led to an unexpected creation. Brace yourself for a story that will challenge your perceptions of what's possible.
The Hype Around Vibe Coding: Can It Deliver?
As someone who's explored the potential of AI in programming, I was intrigued by the buzz around vibe coding. I decided to put it to the test and see if it could live up to its reputation. The tool I chose was Claude Code, a rising star in the AI coding world, and I was eager to discover its capabilities.
Unveiling the Power of Claude Code
Anthropic, the company behind Claude Code, claims it's the 'best coding model in the world.' While such bold statements are common in the AI industry, I wanted to see for myself. Anthropic even created a personalized guide for me, as there's no public tutorial for non-programmers. It was an eye-opener, starting with basic questions like 'What is a Terminal?'
My First Project: Solving a Real-World Problem
I decided to tackle a problem I faced during my house hunt in the NYC metro area: determining walking distances to public transit. It was a tedious process, constantly copying and pasting addresses between Zillow, Redfin, and Google Maps. So, I challenged Claude Code to create a website that automatically calculates walk times to train stations, displaying the data in a user-friendly interface.
Choosing the Right Vibe Coding Tool
While many AI chatbots can generate code snippets, true vibe coding tools take it to the next level. They can access your computer's files and understand the entire codebase, making them ideal for professional engineers. Along with Claude Code, other notable tools include OpenAI's Codex, GitHub Copilot, Replit, Lovable, and Windsurf.
Setting Up Claude Code on Your PC
Claude Code requires a subscription, with plans starting at $17/month. I opted for the $100/month plan, but it turned out to be overkill for my simple project. The setup process involves using the Terminal app, which allows direct interaction with your computer. It's a bit technical, but Anthropic provides a guide to help you through.
Picking a Project: Where to Begin?
With the power of AI coding at my disposal, I had to decide on a project. I considered creating a custom Wordle game or an event invitation generator, but Claude Code's limitations in image generation steered me elsewhere. Reflecting on recent challenges, I settled on solving the issue of finding walk times to train stations during my house hunt.
Coding with Claude: A Natural Language Chat
I entered my project prompt, specifying the criteria for the real estate listings I wanted. From there, it was a simple chat, but my basic technical knowledge helped move things along. I asked Claude about the availability of public APIs for Zillow and Google Maps, and it provided valuable insights. It even found the NJ Transit train stops in Montclair without me mentioning them, and designed the website framework in no time.
Troubleshooting and Refining: Overcoming Challenges
Connecting to the APIs was a bit tricky, but Claude guided me through the process. I encountered some issues, like incorrect map locations and a 404 error for the Zillow API. With some troubleshooting and a suggestion from Claude to use Redfin data, we overcame these hurdles. The map now displayed listings accurately, but the walk times were slightly off, so Claude adjusted the 'circuity factor' to improve the calculations.
Final Checks and Personalization
I cross-checked the data quality with Redfin, and everything seemed accurate except for the walk times, which were a few minutes shorter on my website. Claude explained the reason and offered a solution, which I validated on Google Maps. I also asked for a walk time filter, and Claude delivered a sliding scale filter, allowing me to adjust the criteria.
The Unexpected Bonus: Claude's File Organization Skills
Claude's integration with my computer went beyond coding. It helped me organize the screenshots I took during the process, creating folders and renaming files based on timestamps. While it missed a few, it was a helpful starting point for me to clean up and arrange my materials.
The Transformative Experience: A New Perspective on AI Coding
In just three days, I created a custom website using vibe coding. It was an incredible experience, and I can understand why software engineers are hooked on these AI coding assistants. The potential is immense, and I'm excited to see what else is possible.
So, what do you think? Are you ready to explore the world of vibe coding? I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
