Ben Sufiani says he develops software using natural language rather than conventional programming. The founder of Pirate Skills has used this approach to build websites, apps and an AI agent called CaptainAI. He describes vibe-coding as a way for non-programmers to create software, while vibe-design allows them to generate and refine designs through spoken instructions.
To compensate for his limited knowledge of software development and design, Sufiani relies on established solutions and agent-ready skills. He uses Next.js as a web framework and has moved away from WordPress. Resources from Vercel and skills available through skills.sh provide templates and guidance that help him avoid serious mistakes. For design, he generates different directions and acts as the curator, acknowledging that personal taste remains difficult to evaluate objectively.
Sufiani monitors CaptainAI through a system built around a stable technology stack. Vercel records errors reported by users, and the agent reviews those reports regularly. When the cause is clear, it can correct the problem directly; uncertain cases are brought to Sufiani for discussion. He describes this broader setup as a software factory, in which the product is continuously observed and maintained.
He says he has no human expert working behind the scenes to review his code and relies instead on AI agents and extended conversations with AI tools. Speaking through Whisperflow, he provides context and discusses his concerns, saying that repeated use has helped him recognize when an answer requires further checking. He also believes that not understanding every detail can sometimes reduce bias, although it increases dependence on AI.
Despite not having experienced any major incidents so far, Sufiani warns that vibe-coders are particularly attractive targets for hackers. Using AI-generated code carries significant responsibility, he says, and claims that a single framework or prompt can reproduce complex commercial software should be treated with skepticism.
For Sufiani, professional vibe-coding involves more than entering one-shot prompts. He distinguishes it from what he calls agentic engineering, the broader discipline required to operate software factories. In his view, vibe-coders need competence in six areas: product management, tools, user experience, scalable systems, security and compliance, and shipping.
The interview was published in shortened form as part of the t3n Arbeit in Progress podcast. The full version is available in the linked podcast episode.
Sources: t3n.