Agentic Coding vs Vibe Coding

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July 15, 2025

#ai#workflow#productivity

After a year of working with AI coding assistants (Cursor, Claude Code, GitHub Copilot), I've noticed I use two very different modes depending on the task. I call them "agentic coding" and "vibe coding" – and knowing when to use which has become critical to my workflow.

This isn't about tools. It's about mindset.

Agentic Coding: The Structured Co-worker

Agentic coding is when the AI acts like a structured teammate. You give it a clear goal, it breaks it down into steps, creates a plan, and executes methodically.

Think of it as pairing with a junior engineer who takes detailed notes, follows processes, and doesn't skip steps.

When I use agentic mode:

✓ Refactoring legacy code with clear requirements

✓ Migrating from one framework to another (Pages Router → App Router)

✓ Writing tests for existing features

✓ Implementing well-defined specs or design mocks

✓ Setting up infrastructure (Docker, CI/CD, monitoring)

Example prompt (agentic mode): "I need to migrate this Next.js app from Pages Router to App Router. Here's the plan: 1. Audit all pages and identify dependencies 2. Create a migration checklist 3. Convert one page at a time, starting with simple static ones 4. Update routing, data fetching, and layouts 5. Test each page before moving to the next Start with step 1. Give me the audit."

The AI creates a todo list, marks items as done, and keeps you updated. It's methodical, predictable, and great when you already know what "done" looks like.

Vibe Coding: The Exploratory Partner

Vibe coding is when you don't have a clear destination yet. You're exploring, prototyping, trying ideas, and seeing what feels right.

The AI becomes a brainstorming partner. You throw half-formed ideas at it, it suggests approaches, you riff on them together. It's messy, iterative, and creative.

When I use vibe mode:

✓ Building an MVP for a new product idea

✓ Experimenting with UI patterns and interactions

✓ Prototyping features where the requirements are fuzzy

✓ Learning a new library or framework

✓ Solving architectural problems without a clear solution

Example prompt (vibe mode): "I want to build a terminal-style portfolio site. Not sure about the exact structure yet, but I'm thinking: - ASCII art headers - Command-line aesthetic - Maybe an interactive CLI component? - Keep it minimal, fast, no heavy frameworks What would you suggest as a starting point?"

The AI throws out ideas. You pick what resonates. You iterate. You change direction. You end up somewhere you didn't plan – often better than you imagined.

The Key Differences

┌─────────────────────┬──────────────────────────┬──────────────────────────┐ │ Aspect │ Agentic Coding │ Vibe Coding │ ├─────────────────────┼──────────────────────────┼──────────────────────────┤ │ Goal │ Clear & defined │ Fuzzy & exploratory │ │ Process │ Structured, step-by-step │ Iterative, experimental │ │ AI role │ Executor │ Brainstorming partner │ │ Output │ Predictable │ Surprising │ │ Best for │ Production refactors │ MVPs & prototypes │ │ Speed │ Consistent │ Variable (but often fast)│ │ Risk │ Low (clear requirements) │ Higher (unclear scope) │ └─────────────────────┴──────────────────────────┴──────────────────────────┘

How I Combine Both in Real Projects

The best projects use both modes at different stages.

Example: Building a SaaS MVP

Week 1 (Vibe mode):

Prototype the core idea. Experiment with UI, try different flows, see what feels right. The AI suggests patterns, I pick favorites, we iterate fast.

Week 2 (Agentic mode):

Once the direction is clear, switch to structured mode. "Here's the design, here's the data model, here's the API spec. Build it methodically, write tests, handle edge cases."

Week 3 (Vibe mode):

User feedback comes in. Some features don't land. Back to vibe mode: "What if we tried X instead of Y? How would that look?"

Week 4 (Agentic mode):

Refinement phase. Polish, optimize, fix bugs, add monitoring. Clear tasks, clear outcomes.

The pattern: vibe mode for discovery, agentic mode for execution, back to vibe mode when you need to pivot, back to agentic mode to lock it in.

Lessons Learned

1. Don't use agentic mode too early

If you ask the AI to build a detailed plan before you've explored the problem space, you'll get a perfect plan for the wrong solution.

2. Don't stay in vibe mode too long

Prototyping is fun, but at some point you need to commit. Vibe coding without structure becomes scope creep and endless iteration.

3. Be explicit about which mode you're in

I literally tell the AI: "I'm in exploration mode, throw ideas at me" or "I have a clear spec, execute it step by step." It helps both of us stay aligned.

4. Vibe mode is underrated for learning

When I'm learning a new framework, vibe mode lets me ask dumb questions, try weird things, and build intuition faster than reading docs.

Conclusion

AI coding assistants are powerful, but the tool is only as good as your mental model for using it.

Agentic coding gives you structure and predictability. Vibe coding gives you creativity and speed. The best developers will know when to use which – and how to switch between them fluidly.

For me, it's become second nature: vibe when exploring, agentic when executing, and always staying aware of which mode I'm in.

Want to discuss AI workflows, MVPs, or product strategy?

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