20 Rules for Production-Grade Vibe Coding
After reviewing 300+ AI-built apps, here are the rules that separate production apps from broken prototypes.
The Rules
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One feature per prompt. Never cram multiple features into one request.
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Always read the generated code. Blind trust leads to security holes.
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Test on mobile after every feature. AI generates desktop-first.
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Version control everything. Commit after each successful prompt.
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Review all Supabase RLS policies. AI gets these wrong 60%+ of the time.
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Keep components under 150 lines. Extract, don't bloat.
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Use consistent naming. Fix AI's random naming immediately.
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Add error boundaries. AI rarely includes error handling.
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Handle loading states. Show spinners, skeletons, or placeholders.
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Handle empty states. What does the UI show with no data?
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Audit third-party dependencies. AI sometimes imports abandoned packages.
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Set up proper env variables. No keys in code.
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Test auth flows completely. Register, login, logout, reset password.
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Test payment flows in test mode. Stripe test cards are your friend.
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Add meta tags for SEO. AI ignores this entirely.
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Optimize images. AI uses full-size unsplash URLs.
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Set up analytics. Know if anyone is using your app.
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Write a README. Future you will thank you.
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Get a professional audit. Fresh eyes catch what you miss.
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Ship fast, fix fast. Done is better than perfect.
