These images all have something in common: each one shows a rocket that started with high hopes but didn\u2019t make it to its destination.<\/p>\n
One example stands out:<\/strong> the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, which not only launched but also returned to Earth. This success illustrates the importance of having a clear plan and executing it carefully to achieve your objectives.<\/p>\n Consider a situation where a leader is unclear about their goals. You go back and forth. Each attempt moves further from what they actually want. Frustrating, right?<\/p>\n Here\u2019s the hard truth: when you vibe code, you become that boss. But the AI just did what bad bosses do to their employees: it took your unclear request and guessed what you meant. Sometimes those guesses are right. Usually, they\u2019re\u00a0not.<\/p>\n There is a better way. Stop vibe coding. Be the\u00a0vibe.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Picture that: a project that not only launches successfully but also remains expandable and efficient, avoiding the pitfalls of disjointed efforts. Imagine eliminating frustrations and wasted time by transforming vague prompts into precise plans and real\u00a0results.<\/p>\n Introducing the STAR strategy<\/em>, your guide to utilizing AI effectively.<\/p>\n Vibe coding feels fast. You\u2019re getting hundreds of lines of code per hour. Stuff appears. Things\u00a0run.<\/p>\n But you\u2019re building a rocket without blueprints:<\/p>\n – Your project becomes a mess: <\/strong> – You don\u2019t understand your own code:<\/strong> – You\u2019re not actually saving time: <\/strong> All those rockets had engineers. All of them launched. And all of them crashed\u200a\u2014\u200abecause somewhere along the way, planning fell apart.<\/strong> Being the vibe means you have the vision. You know what you want, and the AI helps you build it, but you\u2019re in control. That\u2019s it\u200a\u2014\u200ajust four steps. The important thing is that it\u2019s a loop, not a straight\u00a0line.<\/p>\n You won\u2019t know everything at the beginning\u200a\u2014\u200ano one does. That\u2019s why we have search tools. When you run into a problem, like something being too slow, a feature not working as expected, or needing something you didn\u2019t plan for, you go back to Search and start the cycle again. Before I ask for any code, I need to understand what I\u2019m getting into. What\u2019s out there? What works? What\u2019s\u00a0new?<\/p>\n I use Perplexity for this because it\u2019s quick and shows where the information comes from. However, alternatives such as Google or Bing can also be effective options for research, particularly for those who may not have access to Perplexity.<\/p>\n Example: Pause here and try the query yourself. Running this search can provide real-time insights and help you translate passive reading into active experimentation.I am not asking for code yet, only ideas and information. The answer gives me options I didn\u2019t know about\u00a0before.I\u2019m not asking for code yet. I\u2019m asking for ideas and information. The answer gives me options I didn\u2019t know about before. Search for Best Practices Too<\/em><\/strong> What are the best practices for building a browser-based game in 2026? A quick five-minute search can save you weeks of frustration. You\u2019ll discover patterns, tools, and methods that experienced developers use\u200a\u2014\u200athings you might not have thought to look\u00a0for.<\/p>\n I take my rough idea to Claude and think it through before building anything. It could work with alternatives like cursor also. The idea is to use a tool with a plan\u00a0mode.<\/p>\n But first, two decisions affect everything else: what language to use and how to organize your\u00a0code.<\/p>\n Pick Your Language<\/strong> Choose a language you either: Why does this matter? It\u2019s important for the Review step. If the AI writes code in a language you don\u2019t know, you can\u2019t check if it\u2019s doing what you want. You end up hoping and guessing again, which is just vibe\u00a0coding.<\/p>\n One thing to remember: AI usually defaults to Python because it\u2019s the most common in its training data. That\u2019s fine if Python works for your project, but if you need something else, like JavaScript for a website, Swift for an iPhone app, or C# for a Unity game, you need to say so. If you do not, you\u2019ll get Python even if it doesn\u2019t\u00a0fit.<\/p>\n Once you pick your language, mention it in every prompt, better yet in the system prompt if you can. Don\u2019t let the AI\u00a0guess.<\/p>\n Choose Your Foundation<\/strong> If you\u2019re not sure,\u00a0ask:<\/p>\n I\u2019m building [describe your project] in [your chosen language].<\/p>\n I want to [reuse parts of it later \/ extend it with new features \/ keep it simple and\u00a0small].<\/p>\n What\u2019s the best way to organize my code for this? Please explain the options in simple terms and help me choose\u00a0one.<\/p>\n The AI will explain your options. Here\u2019s the quick version: If you\u2019re not sure, just tell the AI what you\u2019re building and ask what most people use for that kind of\u00a0project.<\/p>\n Why does this matter? If you don\u2019t decide early, the AI will make a guess, and it could be wrong. Later, when you want to add features, you might have to redo everything because the foundation isn\u2019t\u00a0right.<\/p>\n Then, plan the details.<\/strong> I want to build [describe your project in one sentence].<\/p>\n Here\u2019s my idea so far: I want to use [language] with [the architecture you picked] because [your\u00a0reason].<\/p>\n Before we write any code, help me figure\u00a0out:<\/p>\n What\u2019s going to be the hard\u00a0part?What\u2019s the smallest thing I can build to see if this even\u00a0works?What should I build\u00a0first?How should I organize this so it\u2019s easy to add more stuff later? Once the plan feels solid, I don\u2019t ask for the whole thing. I ask for the smallest piece that shows whether my idea\u00a0works.<\/p>\n What to ask: Build me:<\/p>\n \u201cFirst, write tests that describe what this simple version should do. Think of tests as a way to specify the expected behavior of your code. For instance, if you are coding a function to add two numbers, your test should check that the function indeed returns the correct sum. You can start with a unit test: a small piece of code that verifies if a specific part of your project works as intended. Then write just enough code to make those tests pass. This ensures you build the application step by step with confidence. Nothing else I want to confirm the basic idea before we add\u00a0more.\u201d<\/p>\n Why write tests first? It makes you define what \u201cworking\u201d really means. If you can\u2019t explain what success looks like, you\u2019re just vibe coding again. Run it. Try it. Does it feel right? \u201cNow let\u2019s add [one specific thing]. [What\u2019s not\u00a0working][What I expected vs what actually happened] Here\u2019s what most guides won\u2019t tell you: you\u2019ll run through STAR multiple times on any real\u00a0project.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s say I built my puzzle game and it works, but it\u2019s slow and laggy. I didn\u2019t plan for this. I don\u2019t know why it\u2019s happening or how to fix\u00a0it.<\/p>\n A vibe coder would ask: \u201cMake it\u00a0faster.\u201d<\/p>\n A STAR coder goes back to Search:<\/em><\/strong> Now I have options I didn\u2019t know existed. Maybe it\u2019s a rendering issue. Maybe I\u2019m redrawing things I don\u2019t need to. Maybe there\u2019s a library that handles this\u00a0better.<\/p>\n I pick the approaches that make sense, go to Think to plan how to add them without breaking what already works, Act to try one solution at a time, and Review to see if it actually\u00a0helped.<\/p>\n Search \u2192 Think \u2192 Act \u2192 Review \u2192\u00a0repeat.<\/p>\n A 2025 report from Clutch.co says software teams still face talent shortages and other challenges, so it\u2019s unlikely you\u2019ll have all the answers at the start. The STAR approach isn\u2019t about being perfect on your first try; it helps you move forward with clarity instead of guessing.<\/p>\n Search Template (for Perplexity or\u00a0Google)<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cI want to build [type of project] that [what makes it special]. Search for Best Practices<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201c What are the best practices for building [type of project] in [year]? Search Follow-up (Combine\u00a0Ideas)<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201c I like these ideas from my research:<\/em><\/p>\n [Idea 1]<\/em>[Idea 2]<\/em>[Idea 3] Search (When You Hit a\u00a0Problem)<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201c I\u2019m building [project], and I ran into a problem: [describe what\u2019s wrong]. Think Template (Choose Your Foundation)<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201c I\u2019m building [describe your project] in [your chosen language]. Think Template (Plan the\u00a0Build)<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201c Here\u2019s my idea: [paste your plan] What\u2019s the riskiest part I should test\u00a0first?<\/em>What\u2019s the smallest thing I can build to test\u00a0it?<\/em>How should I organize this so it doesn\u2019t become a mess? [What worked \/ what didn\u2019t in the last version]<\/em><\/strong> Here\u2019s how it should work: [describe it]<\/em>Hold the same structure as\u00a0before<\/em>Tests first, then\u00a0code\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Vibe coding asks: \u201cWhat will the AI give\u00a0me?\u201d<\/p>\n Being the vibe asks: \u201cWhat do I want, and how do I explain it clearly?\u201d<\/p>\n One is like a rocket built without blueprints\u200a\u2014\u200ait might launch, but it won\u2019t reach its goal. The other is a mission with a plan, a checklist, and a team that knows what success\u00a0means.<\/p>\n Next time you\u2019re about to throw a vague prompt at an AI and pray,\u00a0stop.<\/p>\n Remember STAR:<\/strong> And when you hit something you didn\u2019t expect? Do it again. Search for answers, consider your options, choose the best one, and review the\u00a0results.<\/p>\n You wouldn\u2019t launch a rocket without a flight plan. Don\u2019t launch your project that way\u00a0either.<\/p>\n Be the vibe. Be a STAR<\/strong>. Actually, ship your project. Picture your work being recognized across the industry as a symbol of innovation and quality. Let this vision guide your efforts and motivate you to turn your ideas into real\u00a0success.<\/p>\n How do you use AI when you build things? Share your story in the comments\u200a\u2014\u200amaybe a recent win or a challenge you faced. Your experience can help others learn, especially those just starting\u00a0out.<\/p>\n How to Ensure Your Project Doesn\u2019t Look Like a Result of Vibe Coding<\/a> was originally published in Coinmonks<\/a> on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" These images all have something in common: each one shows a rocket that started with high hopes but didn\u2019t make it to its destination. One example stands out: the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, which not only launched but also returned to Earth. This success illustrates the importance of having a clear plan and executing it […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":133075,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-133074","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-interesting"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mycryptomania.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/133074"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mycryptomania.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mycryptomania.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mycryptomania.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=133074"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/mycryptomania.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/133074\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mycryptomania.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/133075"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mycryptomania.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=133074"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mycryptomania.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=133074"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mycryptomania.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=133074"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Why Most Projects you will code with AI will Crash Before They Ever\u00a0Launch<\/h4>\n
You ask questions. They shrug. \u201cJust make it good.\u201d So you build something. They hate it. Not because it\u2019s bad, but because it doesn\u2019t match the picture in their head. A picture they never showed\u00a0you.<\/p>\n
You give the AI a vague request, take whatever it returns, add it to your project, and hope for the best. If it doesn\u2019t work, or if it causes problems later, you blame the\u00a0AI.<\/p>\nWhat Vibe Coding Actually Costs\u00a0You<\/h4>\n
Each AI answer fixes one small problem without considering the bigger picture. After a dozen prompts, your code is a pile of mismatched pieces that barely fit together. For example, when we tried to add a payment system without a clear structure, the \u2018checkout bug\u2019 caused 48 hours of downtime as we scrambled to find and fix the issues. This kind of breakdown shows what happens when you don\u2019t plan\u00a0ahead.<\/p>\n
You have chunks of code you can\u2019t explain, solving problems you can\u2019t describe. When something breaks, you can\u2019t fix it because you never knew how it\u00a0worked.<\/p>\n
You shipped quickly, but now every minor change is a challenge. The time you \u201csaved\u201d comes back to bite you later, with interest.<\/p>\n
Vibe coding works the same way. You might get started, but you won\u2019t make it all the way to\u00a0success.<\/p>\nBe the Vibe: The STAR\u00a0Strategy<\/h4>\n
I use a simple framework I call STAR<\/em><\/strong>:
– Search<\/em><\/strong>\u200a\u2014\u200aDo your research first
– Think<\/em><\/strong>\u200a\u2014\u200aMake a plan before you build
– Act\u200a<\/em><\/strong>\u2014\u200aBuild small, test early
– Review\u200a<\/em><\/strong>\u2014\u200aCheck what works, fix what\u00a0doesn\u2019t<\/p>\n
Allow me to show you how each step\u00a0works.<\/p>\nS\u200a\u2014\u200aSearch (Figure Out What\u2019s Possible)<\/h4>\n
I want to create a simple puzzle game that puts a new spin on Tetris.
What are people doing with puzzle games in 2025\u20132026? Tell me about what makes modern puzzle games fun and addictive, how to make games easy for everyone to play, ways to make money without annoying players, and what tools I use to build\u00a0them.<\/p>\n
Then I pick what I like:
From what you told me, I like these ideas: [X, Y, and Z].
Help me combine them into a simple plan.\u00a0Include:How the game works (the main\u00a0loop)What makes it different from regular\u00a0TetrisWho would play\u00a0thisI want it to work in a web browser
Now I have a rough plan based on real information, not\u00a0guesses.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s something beginners often miss: researching how to build things the right way, not just what to build. Before you write any code, look up best practices in your field. For example, you can search for \u201cbest practices for building a browser-based game in 2026\u201d or \u201ccommon pitfalls in developing AI applications\u201d to get advice from experienced developers. Spending five minutes on this can save you weeks of trouble. You\u2019ll learn about patterns, tools, and methods that experienced developers use\u200a\u2014\u200athings you might not think to ask\u00a0about.<\/p>\n
What mistakes do beginners make?
How should I organize my code so it\u2019s easy to change\u00a0later?<\/p>\nT\u200a\u2014\u200aThink (Plan Before You\u00a0Build)<\/h4>\n
Everyone asks: \u201cWhat\u2019s the best programming language?\u201d
Here\u2019s the truth: there is no best language. They\u2019re all good. What matters is picking one you can actually work\u00a0with.<\/p>\n
Already know\u200a<\/em>\u2014\u200aso you can read and check what the AI writes
Want to learn<\/em>\u200a\u2014\u200aso you can grow your skills while\u00a0building<\/p>\n
This sounds technical, but it\u2019s really just answering one question: Do you want to reuse and grow this project, or is it a quick one-time\u00a0thing?<\/p>\n
If you plan to reuse or extend your project later, request OOP (Object-Oriented Programming). This organizes your code into reusable parts. It requires more upfront setup, but it\u2019s much easier to expand later.
If it\u2019s a small, simple project, ask for a functional or straightforward approach. This means less structure and faster building, but it will be harder to add new features\u00a0later.<\/p>\n
Once you know your language and how you want things organized, plan the actual\u00a0build:<\/p>\n
[Paste what you got from the Search\u00a0step]<\/p>\n
If anything is unclear, please ask me.
That last line matters: \u201cIf anything is unclear, ask me questions.\u201d This instructs the AI to request clarification rather than guess. Good collaborators ask questions; bad bosses don\u2019t.
If you use Claude Code, start in plan mode (type \/plan or press shift+tab). This keeps Claude focused on thinking instead of jumping straight to\u00a0code.<\/p>\nA\u200a\u2014\u200aAct (Build Small, Test\u00a0Early)<\/h4>\n
Let\u2019s start with the smallest possible version in [your language].<\/p>\n
Why say \u201cnothing else\u201d? Because AI often adds extra things you didn\u2019t ask for. Those extras make it harder to see if your main idea really\u00a0works.<\/p>\nR\u200a\u2014\u200aReview (Check and\u00a0Improve)<\/h4>\n
This is where picking the right language pays off. According to a 2025 article by Christian Meske and colleagues, if you can read the code yourself, you can directly check whether it meets your expectations, rather than relying on assumptions or letting the machine take over the decision-making. If you can confirm the code works as intended, you can then go back and add more functionality incrementally; this way, you keep control of the process and the basic version still\u00a0works.<\/p>\n
Keep everything organized the same way. Write tests first, then build it.
If no, be specific about what\u2019s wrong:
This doesn\u2019t feel right. Here\u2019s the\u00a0problem:<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s try a different approach: [your idea, or ask for suggestions]
Don\u2019t just say \u201cmake it better\u201d or \u201cfix it.\u201d Those are vibe coding phrases. Instead, point out the exact problem and ask for a specific solution.\u201d<\/p>\nThe STAR Loop: Do It\u00a0Again<\/h4>\n
\u201cMy browser-based puzzle game is running slowly and lagging.
What are common causes of poor performance in JavaScript canvas games?
What are the best techniques to optimize frame rate in\u00a02026?\u201d<\/p>\nSTAR Templates You Can Copy and\u00a0Paste<\/h4>\n
What are people doing in this space right now?
What works well? What are common mistakes? Show me examples.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n
What mistakes do beginners make?
How should I organize my code so it\u2019s easy to change\u00a0later?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n
Help me combine them into one clear plan. Include what it does, who it\u2019s for, and any limits I need to work\u00a0within.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n
What are the common causes of this?
What are the best ways to fix it in\u00a0[year]?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n
I want to [reuse parts of it later \/ extend it with new features \/ keep it simple and small].
What\u2019s the best way to organize my code for this? Explain the options in simple terms and help me pick\u00a0one.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n
I want to use [language] with [the architecture you picked] because [reason].
Before any code, help me figure\u00a0out:<\/em><\/p>\n
Ask me questions if anything is unclear.
Act Template
Build the smallest version that shows the main idea works in [language]:<\/em>Write tests that describe what \u201cworking\u201d means.<\/em>Write just enough code to pass those\u00a0tests.<\/em>No extra features
I\u2019ll add more after I see this working.
Review Template (Adding\u00a0More)\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n
\u201cNow I want to add [one specific\u00a0thing].<\/em><\/p>\nBe a STAR. Actually\u00a0Launch.<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Search\u200a\u2014\u200aKnow what\u2019s out there and learn best practices<\/em>
Think\u200a\u2014\u200aPick your language, choose your foundation, then plan the build<\/em>
Act\u200a\u2014\u200aStart small, test early<\/em>
Review\u200a\u2014\u200aCheck the code, fix what\u2019s broken, add what\u2019s\u00a0missing<\/em><\/p>\n