Name

Naomi Clarkson

Updated on 8/23/2025

Top 10 Vibe Coding Tools in 2025

AI‑powered developer tools have evolved from simple code completion assistants into powerful agentic systems that read, understand and even transform entire codebases. 2025 has seen an explosion of “vibe” coding tools—solutions that allow you to express ideas in natural language and watch fully functioning code appear. Below we highlight ten standout tools that demonstrate where coding is headed. Each section summarises what makes the tool unique, with references to primary sources for further reading.

1. Cursor – the AI Code Editor That Understands Your Project

Cursor positions itself as a full‑fledged coding partner rather than a simple autocomplete. According to its feature page, Cursor offers multi‑line autocompletion, automatic error fixes, and a retrieval model that pulls in relevant documentation and code contexts【872575418790991†L13-L90】. You can call agent mode to execute tasks end‑to‑end—from exploring a codebase to writing new features—and even reference code by mentioning functions or files with @【872575418790991†L13-L90】. Cursor’s command palette lets you run shell commands, and its integrated debugger helps you resolve errors quickly【872575418790991†L13-L90】. These features create a fluid workflow where you rarely need to leave the editor.

Highlights

• Multi‑line suggestions & smart rewrite – the editor suggests entire blocks of code and can refactor them automatically【872575418790991†L13-L90】.
• Task‑oriented agent – ask Cursor to implement a feature or write tests; it will plan steps, make edits, and even open pull requests.
• Context retrieval – type @ and reference a function/file to include it in the prompt; Cursor fetches relevant snippets and docs【872575418790991†L13-L90】.

2. runcell – Autonomous Notebook Agent for Jupyter

runcell brings AI into the Jupyter notebook environment. On its official website, runcell is described as an AI agent that writes Python code, executes cells, explains results and iterates based on feedback【912028773013952†L82-L116】. You can choose between interactive learning mode (where you guide the agent) and autonomous mode, which completes an entire notebook for you【912028773013952†L82-L116】. runcell can update imports, generate functions, transform outputs into interactive charts, and answer questions about your data—all within the familiar notebook interface【912028773013952†L82-L116】.

Highlights

• AI‑assisted cell execution – runcell writes and runs code, then explains outputs to accelerate analysis【912028773013952†L82-L116】.
• Learning vs. autonomous modes – choose to collaborate with the agent or let it finish a notebook independently【912028773013952†L82-L116】.
• Smart editing & visualization – automatically updates imports, generates functions, and turns results into charts【912028773013952†L82-L116】.

3. Codex – Cloud‑Based Software Engineering Agent

OpenAI’s Codex, introduced in 2025, moves beyond local coding assistance into a cloud‑hosted agent capable of running tasks in isolated environments. The platform describes Codex as able to write features, fix bugs, answer questions, and propose pull requests for large repositories【736011345747084†L140-L176】. Each task is executed in a secure sandbox with its own container, and tasks can run from one to thirty minutes【736011345747084†L140-L176】. Codex uses an AGENTS.md file in your repository to understand guidelines and test procedures and provides verifiable logs and test results for human review【736011345747084†L155-L172】. This level of transparency and security makes it suitable for enterprise‑level development.

Highlights

• Parallel task execution – handle multiple feature requests or bug fixes concurrently in isolated sandboxes【736011345747084†L140-L176】.
• Evidence‑based output – Codex returns terminal logs, test outputs and diffs so you can verify changes【736011345747084†L155-L172】.
• Controlled autonomy – tasks run 1–30 minutes with strict security and require human approval before merging【736011345747084†L140-L176】.

4. Claude Code – Deep Coding at Terminal Velocity

Anthropic’s Claude Code is an agentic coding tool that integrates deeply into your terminal and IDE. Anthropic emphasises that Claude Code can search million‑line codebases, create coordinated edits across multiple files, and turn issues into pull requests【138858003339909†L283-L302】. It uses a CLAUDE.md file in your project to define environment settings, allowed tools and code style guidelines【410498262226556†L19-L40】. The tool automatically pulls context from your repository, requiring only high‑level instructions such as “add OAuth support” to start【138858003339909†L283-L302】. Before making any changes, Claude Code asks for approval and can integrate with test suites, build systems and version control【138858003339909†L283-L302】.

Highlights

• Command‑line first – interacts through your terminal but integrates with VS Code and JetBrains editors【138858003339909†L283-L302】.
• Deep codebase awareness – searches millions of lines of code and maps relationships across files【138858003339909†L212-L214】【138858003339909†L283-L302】.
• Configurable & safe – uses a CLAUDE.md file to customise rules and requires explicit user approval before modifying files【410498262226556†L19-L40】.

5. Kiro – Spec‑Driven AI IDE

Kiro is an AI IDE built around spec‑driven development. Rather than jumping straight into code, Kiro turns your prompt into clear requirements, system design documents and tasks【534266544367958†L24-L43】. You can then let its agents implement the tasks via “autopilot mode” while you review diffs and iterate【534266544367958†L63-L88】. Kiro’s agent hooks trigger on events such as file saves and can connect to docs, databases and APIs through the Model Context Protocol (MCP)【534266544367958†L63-L88】【534266544367958†L92-L107】. It supports VS Code and Open VSX, offers a multimodal chat that accepts diagrams or UI mockups, and emphasises enterprise‑grade security【534266544367958†L24-L43】【534266544367958†L92-L107】.

Highlights

• Spec & steering files – separate files describe requirements and steer agent behaviour to keep development on track【534266544367958†L24-L43】.
• Autopilot & agent hooks – agents can run automatically on file changes or user commands, while you remain in control【534266544367958†L63-L88】.
• Multimodal & secure – drop images or UI mockups to guide generation and integrate external data sources via MCP【534266544367958†L92-L107】.

6. v0 – Generative UI Builder by Vercel

Vercel’s v0 is a generative user‑interface tool that outputs production‑ready React, Vue or Svelte components from plain‑language descriptions. An article summarising v0’s capabilities explains that you can describe a UI or upload a mock‑up; v0 then generates a preview with clean Tailwind (shadcn/UI) code【84884844271191†L98-L130】. You can tweak the design and copy or install the code directly into your Next.js project, then deploy to Vercel in one click【84884844271191†L134-L170】. v0 helps accelerate prototyping, convert Figma designs to code, and scale internal tools without heavy front‑end expertise【84884844271191†L172-L179】.

Highlights

• Natural‑language to code – describe the layout, components and styles; v0 outputs fully functional UI code【84884844271191†L98-L130】.
• Multi‑framework support – generate React, Vue and Svelte components with Tailwind and shadcn/UI【84884844271191†L98-L130】.
• Image‑to‑UI – upload a design mock‑up or screenshot and convert it into code【84884844271191†L134-L170】.

7. Lovable – AI Web App Builder and Visual Editor

Lovable is an AI‑powered platform that turns plain‑language ideas into full‑stack web applications. According to a detailed review, users describe their idea; Lovable generates a prototype with front‑end and back‑end code and then iterates via conversational feedback【133252345698363†L64-L108】. The platform integrates with Supabase and GitHub, offers one‑click deployment (or export) and now supports free collaboration, full‑stack generation for paid tiers, and security reviews powered by Claude 4 models【133252345698363†L113-L130】【133252345698363†L174-L205】. Its pros include fast turnaround and user‑friendly interface, though complex requests may still need manual tweaks【133252345698363†L64-L108】.

Highlights

• Conversational prototyping – describe your app and iteratively refine it through chat【133252345698363†L64-L108】.
• Full‑stack generation – generates both front‑end and back‑end code and integrates with Supabase and GitHub【133252345698363†L113-L130】【133252345698363†L174-L205】.
• Collaborative & secure – free collaboration features, dev mode for all paid users, and AI‑powered security audits【133252345698363†L113-L130】【133252345698363†L174-L205】.

8. Augment Code – Autonomous Agents for Your IDE

Augment Code positions itself as an AI‑native platform built for professional developers, combining deep codebase understanding with autonomous agents. The product page emphasises that its agents can plan, build and open pull requests using a proprietary context engine that understands large repositories and leverages frontier models【560680446050794†L142-L170】. Augment Code provides codebase‑aware autocomplete, CLI/TUI for automation, native IDE integrations, and supports running terminal commands with user approval【560680446050794†L174-L208】. A blog post highlights that Augment Code reads your entire project and maps relationships, using models like Claude Sonnet 4 to produce suggestions that match your existing style【909681205880083†L140-L149】.

Highlights

• Autonomous PR generation – agents plan and implement tasks, then open pull requests for review【560680446050794†L142-L170】.
• Context engine & retrieval – reads your whole codebase and uses advanced models to produce relevant suggestions【560680446050794†L142-L170】【560680446050794†L188-L217】.
• Smart apply & integrations – one‑click apply for suggestions, plus CLI/TUI and support for VS Code, JetBrains and Vim【560680446050794†L174-L208】.

9. Bolt – AI‑Generated Web Apps in Your Browser

Bolt.new from StackBlitz is an AI‑powered web app builder that creates working code from a simple prompt. A review of Bolt notes that you describe your app idea and Bolt generates a fully functional project with a built‑in code editor and runtime environment【859288640879204†L64-L114】. You can modify the code, install npm packages and instantly run the app inside your browser【859288640879204†L112-L148】. When you’re ready, Bolt offers one‑click deployment via Netlify, making it ideal for prototypes or quick demos【859288640879204†L112-L148】【859288640879204†L161-L164】.

Highlights

• Prompt‑to‑project – generate a complete app structure with a single prompt【859288640879204†L64-L114】.
• Integrated environment – code editor, runtime and preview are all in the browser; no local setup needed【859288640879204†L112-L148】.
• One‑click deployment – deploy your app to Netlify directly from the interface【859288640879204†L112-L148】【859288640879204†L161-L164】.

10. Windsurf Editor – Agentic IDE for Flow State Coding

Windsurf positions its editor as the first agentic IDE designed to keep developers in a flow state. Its Cascade system combines deep codebase understanding, real‑time awareness and advanced tools to deliver generative suggestions and full contextual awareness【130870472440829†L31-L43】. Windsurf’s signature Tab, Tab, Tab workflow provides powerful autocomplete that can “ship” entire features with a single keystroke【130870472440829†L31-L43】【130870472440829†L52-L63】. The editor includes Windsurf Previews, which let you see your website live inside the IDE and reshape elements by clicking them【130870472440829†L81-L91】. Cascade integrates with linters, deep code understanding (with @ references), Model Context Protocol (MCP) for custom tool connections and codelenses for inline refactoring【130870472440829†L92-L129】【130870472440829†L140-L179】.

Highlights

• Cascade system – AI pipeline that provides full codebase awareness, generative suggestions and real‑time actions【130870472440829†L31-L43】.
• Tab workflow & Supercomplete – advanced autocomplete and navigation to maintain flow【130870472440829†L31-L43】【130870472440829†L52-L63】.
• Inline commands & previews – generate or refactor code inline, view and interact with live previews, and deploy from the same interface【130870472440829†L81-L91】【130870472440829†L92-L129】.

Conclusion: A New Era of Developer Experience

The tools above represent a significant shift in software development. Instead of manually writing boilerplate or hunting through documentation, developers can now describe what they want and rely on agentic systems to interpret intent, fetch context and produce production‑ready code. From Cursor’s multi‑line suggestions to Windsurf’s immersive IDE, each tool offers a unique approach to reducing friction and boosting productivity. While these tools will not replace human judgment or creativity, they free engineers to focus on high‑level design and problem solving. As these platforms mature, we can expect even deeper integrations with data sources, cloud services and team workflows—transforming coding into a genuinely collaborative experience.