Let me tell you something I’ve learned the hard way: when you’re building mini applications, the old way of programming just doesn’t cut it anymore. I’ve been experimenting with what I call “Base Mini Apps” – those lightweight, focused applications that solve specific problems without the bloat of traditional software. And the only way to build them efficiently? Vibe Coding.
Remember when we used to spend weeks planning architecture diagrams? Those days are gone. In vibe coding, we focus on defining clear intentions rather than writing every line of code manually (Ten Principles of Vibe Coding). The code becomes disposable – it’s the intentions and interfaces that become your long-term assets. I can’t stress this enough: stop treating code like precious artifacts.
Here’s what my development process looks like now. I start with a simple intention prompt like 「Create a weather dashboard that shows current conditions and 3-day forecast, with clean visualization and mobile-responsive design.」 The AI handles the assembly, selecting appropriate components and connecting them based on capability descriptions. My role shifts to setting boundaries and defining what success looks like.
The beauty of this approach? I recently built three different mini apps in the time it would have taken me to properly architect one traditional application. One was a expense tracker, another a meeting scheduler, and the third a content aggregator. Each took under two hours from concept to working prototype.
But here’s the crucial part that most people miss: verification and observation become your best friends (Ten Principles of Vibe Coding). I establish clear testing criteria upfront and build in comprehensive logging from day one. The system’s reliability depends entirely on how well you can observe its behavior and verify its outputs.
What surprised me most was how this approach naturally leads to better software design. By focusing on micro-programs that self-organize, you end up with systems that are more resilient and adaptable. The architecture emerges rather than being forced into a predetermined mold.
Now, I know what some of you are thinking – this sounds like magic. But it’s not. It’s a fundamental shift in how we think about software creation. We’re moving from software engineering to software ecosystem management, where our focus shifts from individual projects to standards, governance, and collaborative evolution.
The question isn’t whether you should try vibe coding for your next mini app project – it’s how quickly you can adapt to this new paradigm. The developers who master this approach will be building the future while others are still debugging their past.