Vibe Coding: Build with AI for Non-Coders & Curious Creators
Eric Albee — Co-Founder, Quantum Transport && Owner, EricCorp Dev
01
Audience Calibration
Quick poll to understand where everyone's starting from
02
Setting Expectations
What you'll learn and how we'll navigate together
03
Hands-On Building
Real demos and practical skills you can use immediately
The Big Picture: Why Now?
The Unprecedented Opportunity
The barrier to entry for building software has never been lower. You now have an AI "best friend sidekick" who is incredibly knowledgeable and ready to help you prototype and validate ideas at lightning speed.
This is rocket fuel for turning your ideas into reality—no computer science degree required.
The Honest Reality Check
  • You won't master this overnight—it requires genuine effort
  • You will get frustrated (and that's completely normal)
  • AI does lie and hallucinate—you must hold it accountable
  • AI can get stuck—knowing how to reset is crucial
These challenges are manageable, and the payoff is enormous.
Getting Your Environment Set Up
Some things are easier for some than others. Don't overthink the setup—just get through it. When stuck, ask AI for help.
Node.js/JavaScript Runtime
Google it and follow the installation instructions. If you get stuck, ask AI to walk you through it step by step.
Docker Desktop
Just install the app—don't overthink it. Required for MCP (Model Context Protocol) access and simplifies other tool installation. Everything runs under the hood automatically.
Git and gh (CLI tool)
Version control system that saves your work. We'll cover the basics you need to know—it's simpler than it sounds.
Claude Code, Cursor, Claude Code for Web
Your AI coding companions. These tools will be your primary interface for building.

Pro Tip: Installation is the least exciting but most necessary part. Power through it—the fun stuff comes next!
Core Skills That 10x Your Productivity
Command Line Navigation
It's literally just files and folders—same as clicking through Finder or Explorer, but faster once you get the hang of it.
Key commands to know:
  • cd — change directory (go into a folder)
  • ls — list files (see what's in the folder)
  • pwd — print working directory (where am I?)
That's it. Don't be intimidated—you already understand the concept from using your computer every day.
Git Basics: Your Safety Net
Why it matters: Git creates save points for your code. When AI gets stuck or makes a mistake, you can reset to a working version.
Essential commands:
  • git status — What's changed?
  • git diff — What exactly changed?
  • git add . — Stage all changes
  • git commit -m "message" — Save a checkpoint
  • git push — Upload to GitHub
  • git stash — Temporarily hide changes

Pro tip: Commit early and often! This is your safety net when things go wrong.
Working with AI Coding Tools
Claude Code Deep Dive
Recommendation: Read the Claude Code documentation when curious —it's best in class
Key feature: Use shift-tab for plan mode and auto-accept edits to move faster.
Hierarchy: Projects → Skills → Artifacts. Understanding this structure helps you organize your work.
Cursor Overview
Alternative AI coding environment with similar concepts but a different interface. Some developers prefer it—try both and see what clicks for you.
Web debugging/agent is best-in-class
How to Communicate with AI (Like Managing an Engineer)
Be Clear and Plain
Explain the problem in simple terms. No need for technical jargon—just describe what you want to accomplish.
Provide Context, Don't Overload
Give enough background for AI to understand, but don't dump everything at once. Think focused, not comprehensive.
Break Into Small Pieces
One step at a time. Validate each change before moving on. This prevents cascading errors and keeps you in control.
"I am a novice and don't understand much, so please don't overcomplicate the project or its architecture."
— Your starter prompt for AI
Live Demo: Building Something Real
Philosophy: MVP First
1
Build Fast
Get something workable out quickly—perfection is the enemy of progress
2
Test & Validate
You are the QA. Check each change as you go (and commit)
3
Iterate
Improve based on what you learn from testing
Leveling Up: Advanced Applications
Automation Possibilities
Once you're comfortable with the basics, you can automate entire workflows:
  • Connect Linear or Notion for project management
  • Auto-assign issues in GitHub projects
  • Auto-create pull requests for code reviews
  • Build custom Claude skills for security checks
Boilerplate Accelerators
ShipFa.st and similar tools give you a head start. Buy a boilerplate template, then set Claude loose on it to customize for your needs.
Start from templates to move even faster—no need to reinvent the wheel.
Scaling Complexity
Your projects can be as simple or complex as you want. Recommendation: Do what's easiest for you first, then gradually increase complexity as you gain confidence.
Mindset & Best Practices
The Startup Mentality
Build → Test → Validate → Iterate. Don't overcomplicate. Keep things broken into small, manageable pieces.
When AI Gets Stuck
Start back from where you began (hence: commit often!). Use git stash to save work and reset. Communicate what you did back to the AI.
Be Curious!
Explore, experiment, break things. The AI can help you understand what went wrong. Failure is part of the learning process.
Security Awareness
Be mindful of what you expose publicly. Use Claude to audit.. Claude
Some tools will give you guardrails (Vercel), but DYOR (and also use common sense)
Key Takeaways & Next Steps
AI is Rocket Fuel
For prototyping and idea validation, AI-assisted development is transformative. Your ideas can now come to life faster than ever before.
Barrier to Entry is Gone
The tools, documentation, and AI assistance available today mean anyone with curiosity and persistence can build real software.
Start Simple, Iterate
Begin with small projects. Commit often. Build your confidence through repeated success with manageable challenges.
Resources to Explore
Documentation
Claude Code documentation (highly recommended—best in class)
Tutorials
GitHub basics tutorials and Git fundamentals
Accelerators
ShipFa.st and similar boilerplate templates
Quick Reference: Essential Commands
Navigation Commands
# Go into a folder
cd folder-name

# Go up one level
cd ..

# List files in current folder
ls

# Show current location
pwd
Git Essentials
# What's changed?
git status

# See exact changes
git diff

# Stage all changes
git add .

# Save checkpoint
git commit -m "message"

# Upload to GitHub
git push

# Temporarily hide changes
git stash

# Bring back stashed changes
git stash pop

Bookmark this slide! These commands will become second nature with practice, but it's helpful to have them handy as you're learning.
You're Ready to Build
0
Lines of Code Required
To start validating your ideas today
∞
Possibilities
When you combine curiosity with AI assistance
1
Step at a Time
The only way to master anything new
Now go build something amazing. Your ideas deserve to exist in the world.