Vibe Coding is the future

THIS WEEK’S STORY

“Vibe Coding”: When AI Does the Heavy Lifting

Have you heard of "vibe coding"? It's the latest “definition” to “building with AI”, where coding becomes less about... well, actual coding. Instead, it's all about having an idea and letting AI tools do the heavy lifting.

Here's how it works:

Whatever you have in mind, you communicate it to your AI coding buddy (Cursor, Bolt, Lovable…), and the AI just does the job for you. This is true also for simple adjustments of the code like "cut the sidebar padding in half". You don’t need to write a single line of code anymore.

And what’s more is that tools like SuperWhisper are making this process feel too good. You don’t even need to touch your keyboard much—you just talk to the computer, let it analyze your request, and watch the magic happen.

Error messages? Copy-paste them straight back in. Nine times out of ten, they fix themselves if you have the right backend prompts set up (read our other post for more details).

The result? You end up with code that’s beyond your usual comprehension, full of changes you didn’t manually inspect but somehow still works. Sure, it’s not a strategy for large-scale, high-stakes projects, but for fully functional MVPs, it’s a wild and surprisingly efficient way to work.

If you then want to take it a step forward and continue building with AI, you can continue vibe coding but with more of a sequential and defined process. This means setting up project PRDs, documentation, instructions, design, flow, etc…

But until then, if you’ve been hesitating to start building your app, know that "coding" today isn’t what it used to be. With AI tools, you can focus on creating without drowning in endless lines of code. Try it—embrace the vibes!

HEADLINES

AI Transforming Mobile App Development

🚨 Big news: OpenAI has rolled out new o3 models with Deep Research capabilities

Why does this matter? Because it’s a game-changer for app development. These models can now handle deep research tasks—everything from validating app ideas to analyzing marketing and distribution strategies—with just a single prompt. Tasks that used to take hours of manual work can now be completed in minutes.

But it gets better...

Pair these research capabilities with o3’s coding and math skills, and you’ve got a superpower. Coding is becoming more accessible than ever, and the barriers to creating world-class apps are melting away for those who take the leap.

We’re on the verge of the second app gold rush 🚀

What does this mean for you?

This is your moment to shine as an AI app developer (or rather “vibe coder”). The tools are here. The demand for innovative apps is growing. And with AI on your side, you're positioned to move faster and smarter than ever before.

✨ Seize the opportunity. Build the future.

Are you ready to launch your app ideas?

THIS WEEK’S GUIDE

💡 From idea to iOS app design

Today, I'm sharing my step-by-step process for finding inspiration, designing your app, and turning it into reality without being a pro developer or designer. Let’s get into it!

Step 1: Visualize Your App Screens

Start by brainstorming the key screens for your app. Maybe you want:

• A homepage with scrollable cards.

• A map view with pins.

• A search bar and navigation tabs.

• Rounded elements for a modern touch.

Sketch or list these out. This will serve as your blueprint.

Step 2: Gather Design Inspiration

Head over to Dribbble and search for “iOS app design” (get specific with keywords that match your idea). You'll find tons of creative references.

• Screenshot designs you love—perhaps the button design from one app and the layout from another.

• Organize these screenshots into a mood board folder to guide your design choices.

Step 3: Build a Wireframe with AI

Next, go to V0 by Vercel and let the AI help create your wireframe.

Start simple:

1. Prompt the AI to design a wireframe for your homepage (mention you want it framed in an iPhone 16 view).

2. Upload your moodboard images.

3. Use a prompt like: "Apply the color palette and component style from these references. Use only the style and colors—don't copy the exact components."

This step gives you a solid foundation to iterate on.

Step 4: Iterate Until It Feels Right

Keep refining your design by prompting the AI to make adjustments based on your feedback.

Don't worry about perfection just yet—it's all about finding a style that works for you.

Step 5: Generate SwiftUI Code

Once your design is ready, it's time for some magic:

1. Take screenshots of your designs.

2. Open ClaudeAI and paste in your screenshots.

3. Ask Claude to generate SwiftUI code for each design.

Step 6: Bring Your Design to Life

Now, head to Xcode, paste the SwiftUI code into the corresponding files, and integrate your components. You can polish and optimize the frontend using CursorAI.

And just like that, you’ve created your app’s design and functionality—without the need for coding expertise!

QUICK HITS

• DeepSeek's AI Model Surpasses ChatGPT: DeepSeek's AI assistant has become the top-rated free app on the US Apple App Store, surpassing ChatGPT, and is noted for its efficiency and cost-effectiveness in tasks like mathematics and coding

• NASA Blocks DeepSeek: NASA has officially blocked China's AI company DeepSeek from its systems due to national security concerns, aligning with broader U.S. efforts to limit Chinese influence in AI

• OpenAI Valued at $340 Billion: OpenAI is reportedly in discussions for a new investment round that could value the company at up to $340 billion, reflecting strong demand for its AI models like ChatGPT

• EU AI Act Provisions Take Effect: The EU AI Act's ban on prohibited AI systems has come into effect, outlawing applications that pose unacceptable risks to fundamental rights and safety

That’s all for this week! I need to ask you a favor:

If you have more feedback you wanna give, just reply to this email – I read every message and use your input to make these emails better for you. Happy to connect with you on Twitter/X too.

See you next Saturday!

Filippo