Getting paid to vibe code: Inside the new AI-era job | Lazar Jovanovic (Professional Vibe Coder)

02/08/26
Source: Lenny’s Newsletter by Lenny Rachitsky. Read the original article

TL;DR Summary of How Lazar Jovanovic Builds AI-Powered Products Without Coding Skills

Lazar Jovanovic demonstrates that you can create production-quality AI products without prior coding experience by focusing on planning and leveraging AI effectively. His approach emphasizes spending most time in planning and chat mode rather than just prompting. Utilizing a 4×4 debugging workflow and a structured PRD with Markdown files keeps AI agents aligned in complex builds. He advocates for launching multiple parallel prototypes and highlights the future importance of design skills in AI product development.

Optimixed’s Overview: Mastering AI Product Development Without Traditional Coding Expertise

Unlocking AI-Driven Product Building with No-Code Strategies

Lazar Jovanovic, a full-time professional vibe coder at Lovable, breaks down his unique methodology for shipping AI-powered products despite lacking a coding background. His approach is built around harnessing AI tools and structured workflows that enable rapid prototyping and effective debugging.

Key Techniques and Frameworks

  • Prioritize Planning Over Prompting: Spend most of your time in strategic planning and conversational chats with AI, which yields better results than ad hoc prompting.
  • 4×4 Debugging Workflow: When stuck, apply his debugging framework for systematic problem-solving with AI assistance.
  • PRD & Markdown File System: Maintain product requirement documents and use Markdown to keep AI agents aligned and organized during complex builds.
  • Parallel Prototyping: Launch four to five prototypes in parallel to clarify ideas and accelerate decision-making.

Future Skills and Role Convergence

Lazar highlights that design skills and aesthetic taste will become essential as AI merges product, engineering, and design roles. This convergence changes career paths, making multidisciplinary skills more valuable. His “genie and three wishes” model also offers a mental framework for maximizing AI’s current limitations.

Additional Resources and Inspirations

The discussion references various AI-powered platforms like Strella for customer research and Samsara for physical operations, along with modern tools and community resources to support AI builders. This ecosystem underlines the growing accessibility of AI-driven product development beyond traditional engineering boundaries.