Your First Vibe Coding Session: What You Need

Neo-print sign poster: welcoming doorway with warm light glowing inside, small checklist showing computer browser and Google icon, Ted the bear at door welcoming

A computer. A browser. Curiosity. That's the list.

Quick Answer

All you need is a computer with a browser, a Google account, and curiosity. Most AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, V0, and Lovable have free tiers. No coding experience or expensive hardware required.

People overthink the setup. Here's what you actually need to start vibe coding.

The Essentials

A computer or tablet with internet access
A web browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox -- anything modern)
A Google account (for Google Meet sessions and Google Drive)

That's it. That's the list.

Which AI Tools Do You Need?

Most of the tools we use in Vibe Jam sessions have free tiers:

ChatGPT (free tier available): General-purpose AI for brainstorming, writing, and problem-solving
Claude (free tier available): Strong for longer conversations and technical tasks
V0 (free tier): Build web apps from descriptions
Lovable (free tier): Beginner-friendly app builder
Gemini (free with Google account): Google's AI, great for image generation and research

You don't need accounts on all of them to start. Pick one and experiment.

Practical Tip

If you're choosing just one tool to start with, go with ChatGPT or Claude. They're the most versatile and will handle the widest range of tasks. You can explore specialized tools like V0 and Lovable once you're comfortable with the basics.

What to Expect in a Session

Our Vibe Jam sessions are structured but casual:

Open discussion (5-10 minutes): What are you working on? What do you need help with?
Live building (15-20 minutes): We pick a project and build it together, live
Hands-on time (30-35 minutes): Everyone works on their own projects with guidance
Show and tell (5-10 minutes): Share what you made

Neo-print illustration: four-part horizontal timeline showing session structure -- group discussion, live coding, individual work, presentation share

Discuss. Build together. Build solo. Show what you made. 60 minutes.

Sessions run every Thursday at 4 PM EST on Google Meet. About 60 minutes total. Everything is recorded so you can catch up later.

What You Don't Need

Coding experience: Zero required. That's the whole point of vibe coding.
Expensive hardware: Any computer from the last 5 years works fine.
Paid subscriptions: Free tiers are enough to start. Upgrade when you're ready.
A finished idea: Some people come in with a specific project. Others come to learn and see what's possible. Both are welcome.

The Real Requirement

Curiosity. That's it.

Neo-print typographic poster: CURIOSITY in massive warm block letters with playful question marks floating around

The only real requirement.

If you're curious about what AI can do and willing to try things, you'll get value from every session. Not sure what vibe coding is? Read What is Vibe Coding? first. The technology is moving fast, and the best way to keep up is to build something -- anything -- every week.

❓What if I'm completely new to AI and don't know where to start?

Start by showing up. Every Vibe Jam session is designed for mixed skill levels. We walk through tools from the ground up and no question is too basic. Most of our community members started with zero AI experience. By their third session, they're building things they never thought possible. Start by learning [what a token is](/knowledge/what-is-a-token) — it takes 3 minutes and explains the fundamental unit of AI.