Getting Started
The orientation. How everything fits together, what you need, and the recommended order to do things in.
Before you start
Nothing. This is the starting line. You just need a computer (Mac, Windows, or Linux) and a willingness to learn. No software to install for this guide — that comes next.
What is Better Vibe Coding?
Better Vibe Coding teaches you how to build real software with AI — without needing a computer science degree.
You've probably already tried AI coding tools. Maybe you've built something on Replit or Lovable. Maybe you've used Claude or ChatGPT to write code. It worked for a while. Then things got complicated, stuff broke, and you didn't know why or how to fix it.
That's the gap we fill. We don't teach you to write code. We teach you to think about building software — the concepts that make the difference between something that works and something that falls apart.
The three pieces
Everything on this site falls into one of three categories. Each one does something different, and they work best together.
📖 The Books
The books teach timeless concepts — ideas that don't change no matter which AI tool you're using. Architecture. State management. Debugging. Testing. Security. These are the same things professional developers know, explained in plain English for people who don't write code.
Book 1 covers the 13 core concepts every vibe coder needs. See the full table of contents →
🛠️ The Guides
The guides teach timely skills — how to set up the specific tools you need right now. Your IDE, Docker, Git, localhost, AI coding tools. These change as tools evolve, so we keep them updated.
The guides are always free. See all guides →
🎓 The Courses
The courses give you hands-on practice — real projects where you apply what you've learned from the books using the tools from the guides. Courses are in development. See what's coming →
The recommended order
You can jump around, but if you're starting from scratch, here's the path we recommend:
Read the book (or at least the free chapters)
Start with the concepts. Even if you're eager to build, understanding architecture, problem decomposition, and state management will save you hours of frustration later. Read Chapter 2 for free →
Set up your IDE
Your IDE (Integrated Development Environment) is where you'll do all your work. It's the app where you talk to AI and where your code lives. We recommend Cursor. IDE Setup guide →
Install Docker
Docker lets you run your app in a consistent environment. It sounds technical, but the guide walks you through it step by step. Docker guide →
Understand localhost
Localhost is how you run your app on your own computer and see it in your browser. It's how developers test things before putting them on the internet. Localhost guide →
Set up Git
Git is version control — it saves snapshots of your work so you can undo mistakes, track changes, and collaborate. You'll want this before you start building anything real. Git Setup guide →
Pick your AI tools
Claude Code, Codex, Cursor's built-in AI — there are a few options and they work differently. This guide explains which does what and when to use each. AI Tools Overview →
What if I've already done some of this?
Skip what you know. The guides are independent — you don't have to do them in order. Already have VS Code installed? Skip the IDE guide. Already use Git? Go straight to the AI Tools Overview.
The one thing we'd recommend even if you're experienced with tools: read the book. The concepts are what separate people who build things that work from people who build things that break. Even if you've been vibe coding for a while, the book will change how you think about what you're building.
How long does all of this take?
The guides take about an hour total if you do them all back to back. The book takes a few hours to read cover to cover. You don't need to do everything in one sitting — go at your own pace.
Most people spread it out over a week or two. Read a few chapters, do a guide, read a few more chapters, do another guide. By the time you're done, you'll have the concepts in your head and a fully set up development environment ready to build with.
You're oriented. 🧭
You know how everything fits together and what order to do things in. Next up: setting up your IDE — the app where all the building happens. IDE Setup →
Stay in the loop.
New guides, book updates, and courses — we'll let you know.
No spam. Just the good stuff.