Everyone seems to be talking about vibe coding lately. It's all over Twitter, YouTube tutorials, and weekend project threads. But beyond the hype, we were curious: what does it actually look like in practice?
So we did some digging. We wanted to find real examples, projects people actually built in a few focused sessions that ended up being fully functional and worth sharing.
Here are a few vibe coding examples that stood out. These are real-world projects/apps built by devs and non-devs.
1. Refetch
Vibe coding tools used: Cursor, Appwrite
This one's interesting. Refetch is an open-source alternative to Hacker News controlled by YC. Using Refetch, you can explore the latest tech discussions and news. It's 100% vibe-coded and built on top of Appwrite Cloud.
It took Eldad, builder of the platform, a net total of 15 hours to go from idea to fully functional application, all while watching Netflix and vibe coding alongside.
Of course, Eldad, being an engineer himself, was able to build this in less time, but it really shows how quickly someone with technical know-how can ship something meaningful when the tools handle the heavy lifting.
2. Mealmuse
Vibe coding tools used: Lovable and Cursor
Mealmuse makes it easy for you to plan your meal and uses AI to create personalized meal plans based on what's in your fridge, your dietary preferences, and your schedule.
You can snap a photo of your groceries or even your receipt, and it instantly identifies ingredients to generate meal plans, recipes, and shopping lists
3. Found My Focus
Vibe coding tools used: Bolt
Bored? “Found My Focus” takes that feeling and turns it into something useful. It's a psychology-based app designed to help people get unstuck, focus better, and be kinder to themselves while working.
The app uses short, interactive experiments rooted in neuroscience and therapy practices to help users understand what's really behind their procrastination.
Built by Su, a coach exploring how compassion meets productivity, Found My Focus stands out for its thoughtful design and human touch. It's a great example of how vibe coding tools can help solo creators turn deeply personal ideas into working, beautifully crafted products.
4. Storypot
Vibe coding tools used: Replit
Storypot is as wholesome as it sounds. You drag a few emojis into a pot, and it magically turns them into a short story. Built by Akshan Ish on Replit for his kid, it started as a small weekend project and ended up being a family favourite.
It's simple, creative, and a great reminder that sometimes the best projects come from just building for the people around you.
5. Timeless memories
Vibe coding tools used: Lovable
Timeless Memories, built by Oren Saban turns old family photos into short AI-generated videos that bring moments back to life. Upload a photo, choose a style, and within minutes, you get a moving video that feels like watching history replay itself.
It has a simple interface with no complex editing, no tech skills needed. Just a few clicks to turn scanned wedding portraits or faded childhood photos into something you can actually feel again.
6. ChoresAI
Vibe coding tool used: v0 and Claude Code
Getting kids to actually finish their chores, and then checking if they really did, can feel like a full-time job. That's the everyday problem Ben Ogren is trying to fix with ChoresAI.
You snap a quick photo of the completed task, and the AI verifies it on its own. It even assigns age-appropriate chores, tracks rewards, and manages payments automatically. Parents stay in control, kids stay motivated, and the whole process feels a lot less like nagging and more like teamwork
7. Mixcard
Vibe coding tool used: Cursor
Mixcard turns your Spotify playlists into physical postcards, like modern-day mixtapes you can actually hold. You drop in a playlist link, add a message, and it prints a vintage-style postcard complete with a QR code to listen instantly.
Built by Alfred Megally, it's a small but charming project that bridges the gap between digital and physical. Film and music enthusiasts will love the nostalgic touch, a tangible way to share what you love with someone far away.
8. Stories of Life
Vibe coding tool used: Bolt
Stories of Life helps parents create personalized bedtime stories that grow with their child. Each story adapts to the child's age, interests, and emotions, turning bedtime into a moment of connection and calm.
Built by Harshitha P., it's a heartfelt use of AI that focuses on emotional growth and family bonding. The app even tracks how stories influence a child's mood over time, making it feel part storybook, part gentle parenting tool.
9. Nora AI
Vibe coding tool used: Bolt
Nora AI makes studying feel more natural by letting you learn through simple video conversations. You can talk to an AI tutor, ask questions, and get real-time transcriptions and summaries from each session.
It also helps you stay organized by creating study plans and reminders based on what you've discussed. Built using Bolt, it's a straightforward example of how AI tools can make learning a bit more personal and easy to manage.
10. CareerCloud
Vibe coding tool used: Replit
CareerCloud helps job seekers create and refine resumes using AI. You can upload your resume or start fresh, and the platform automatically optimizes it for ATS systems, matches it to job descriptions, and gives clear feedback on how to improve.
It also offers templates for different roles, from technical to creative, and tracks your application performance so you know what's working.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
1. What are some real examples of vibe coding projects?
There are tons, but some standouts include Refetch, an open-source Hacker News alternative built with Appwrite and Cursor in just 15 hours; Mealmuse, which turns fridge photos into meal plans; and Found My Focus, a psychology-based productivity app built with Bolt. These projects show how both developers and non-developers are turning ideas into live products fast using AI-assisted workflows.
2. How long does it usually take to build something with vibe coding?
It depends on your skill level and project scope, but most examples we've seen, from side apps to working prototypes, come together in a few focused sessions or a weekend. The key is that you're not writing every line from scratch; you're guiding the AI with intent, feedback, and structure, which speeds up iteration dramatically.
3. What makes a good vibe coding project idea?
The best projects start simple: a clear goal, a limited scope, and a problem you personally care about. Tools like Cursor, Lovable, or Bolt work best when you give them focus—think small apps, utilities, or creative experiments that can evolve fast.
4. Can non-developers build real apps with vibe coding tools?
Absolutely. Many of the examples above were built by non-engineers or solo creators using AI-driven builders. The key isn't knowing every syntax detail. It's knowing how to communicate your intent clearly and refine the results. Vibe coding lowers the barrier between idea and execution, letting anyone with curiosity and persistence build something real.
Wrapping up
What all these projects have in common is how quickly and smoothly they went from idea to something real.
From personal side projects to thoughtful family apps, vibe coding tools are making it easier than ever to build functional, polished products without weeks of setup or boilerplate.
