Vibe Driven Development: A Practical Way to Code with AI
Hey everyone, Mars Boomer here—founder of the Mars Boomer Code Club and a big fan of coding with a purpose. I’m excited to share a new approach I’ve been working on called Vibe Driven Development (VDD). It’s a test-guided method that combines the structure of Test Driven Development (TDD) with the power of AI to help you build stuff faster and smarter. Whether you’re coding a website, a SaaS app, or an HTML game, VDD can adapt to your project. Let’s break it down—what it is, how it works, and how you can use it today.
What Is Vibe Driven Development (VDD)?
VDD is a twist on TDD where you use tests to define what you want, then let AI write the code to make it happen. It’s straightforward:
- Write tests that describe what your code should do—like “user is saved to the database” or “product is added to order.”
- Run the tests—they fail initially.
- Let AI fill in the code—keep tweaking until the tests pass.
- Check the result—does it work as expected? If not, adjust the tests or AI instructions and try again.
It’s TDD with AI, but it’s more—a way to ask the right questions and shape what you’re building.
Think of the tests as your way of telling AI what matters. It’s less about rigid rules and more about guiding the process to get solid, working code.
The Philosophy: Asking the Right Questions
Jensen Huang, Nvidia’s CEO, said in a 2016 Stanford talk, “The ability to ask the right questions is more valuable than knowing all the answers.”
VDD embodies this. Your tests and prompts aren’t just code—they’re philosophical probes, clarifying your intent for the AI. It’s less about how and more about what and why—a Socratic dialogue with tech. This isn’t mere coding; it’s a mindset. Like Plato seeking truth through questions, VDD uses tests to uncover what you truly want to create.
Whats's cool about VDD
VDD blends the best of human planning and AI speed. Here’s why it’s worth trying:
- Fast and Focused: You set the direction with tests, and AI handles the details—saving time without losing control.
- Flexible: It scales from small features to big systems, adapting to whatever you’re building.
- Clear Communication: Well-written tests and AI prompts keep everything on track, no matter the project.
Think of the tests as your way of telling AI what matters. It’s less about rigid rules and more about guiding the process to get solid, working code.
What VDD Isn’t
Let’s clear up a few things:
- Not Random AI Coding: This isn’t about asking AI to “build something cool” and hoping for the best. Tests give it structure.
- Not Just TDD with AI: While it uses tests, VDD is about getting the job done right—not just checking boxes.
- Not a Beginner Hack: It’s a productivity boost, but you still need to understand coding basics to make it work.
Beyond TDD: VDD as a Framework
VDD transcends TDD’s evolution. It’s a holistic system for defining and building projects, especially for non-developers. Here’s how:
- Standard Questions: The AI asks, “What’s your project’s core?” or “What data matters?” Your answers become tests and code.
- Blocks Defined: Think models (e.g., “users” with names and emails) or database tables—AI helps you specify these intuitively.
- Non-Developer Friendly: No coding skills? No problem. It’s a conversation—say “I need a task tracker,” and the AI asks, “What’s a task?” You reply, “Title and due date.” It builds from there.
Imagine a non-developer crafting an app. The AI guides them: “What should happen when a task is added?” They answer; Ai makes tests (user checks), code is generated. VDD becomes a bridge between vision and reality.
VDD as a Framework for Everyone
What makes VDD revolutionary is that it isn't just for developers. It's a framework that bridges the gap between idea and implementation for everyone:
For developers: VDD streamlines the coding process, letting you focus on architecture and design while AI handles repetitive implementation.
For non-developers: VDD offers a structured way to communicate with AI. Instead of trying to learn coding, you learn to express what you want through tests and specifications.
The AI can guide this process by asking the right questions:
- "What data do you need to store for each user?"
- "What should happen when someone clicks this button?"
- "How should items be sorted in this list?"
Your answers become the tests and specifications that drive development.
The Tools We Need to Make VDD a Reality
To make VDD accessible to everyone, we need a set of standardized tools:
1. Simple Test Suites - Easy-to-use testing frameworks that don't require deep technical knowledge. These would let anyone write tests in plain language that the AI can understand and implement.
2. AI Prompt Libraries - Collections of proven, effective ways to ask AI to implement different types of features. These save you from having to reinvent the wheel each time you need something built.
3. Specification Storage - Simple ways to define and store what your app should do—whether through JSON files for developers or user-friendly interfaces for non-developers.
4. Starter Kits - Pre-built foundations for common project types: - Websites with basic pages and forms, SaaS apps with user authentication and data storage, - Games with graphics and input handling
5. Interactive Interfaces - Tools that make the VDD process visual and interactive: Test dashboards that show what's working and what's not, AI conversation interfaces for asking questions and getting code, Visual editors for defining app structures without coding
The Future of VDD
VDD is just beginning. As AI tools get more powerful, the gap between idea and implementation will continue to shrink. Imagine a future where anyone can build software by simply describing what they want it to do.
This isn't about replacing developers—it's about expanding who can create. Developers become architects and guides, helping others bring their ideas to life through the power of AI.
Join the VDD Movement
VDD represents a fundamental shift in how we approach software development—one that makes creation more accessible, iterative, and focused on outcomes rather than implementation details.
Whether you're a seasoned developer looking to streamline your workflow or someone with great ideas but no coding experience, VDD offers a path forward in the AI era.
Let's build this future together, one test at a time.