What Is Code When You're Vibe Coding? Where It Lives and Why to Check It

A founder asked me what code is: "Is it like ones and zeros, or is it like words and documents?"

Yes, and it's also highly structured English language instructions that tell a computer how to operate. It holds the business rules and logic to correctly deal with user inputs and the corresponding outputs, like answers written to the screen or reports.

When you're vibe coding, you don't see this. You only see the user interface you're building (the front end, or what people see when using your app). Your AI tool writes the code for you.

I'll use a restaurant as an analogy.

Building your app, prototype or MVP yourself first is a smart move. You know exactly what you want, and a developer can see it on your screens instead of guessing from a document.

Before customers use your app, you need to know three things:

1. Where your code lives
2. Who controls it
3. What to check

Where does the code for my vibe coded app live?

The code for your vibe coded app lives in one of two places: on your AI app builder's servers, or in a folder on your computer, depending on the tool you used.

Before you launch, give it a home in an account you control. For most owners, that's GitHub.

What is GitHub, and why should I use it for my vibe coded app?

GitHub is a free website that stores your app's code (developers call it source code), keeps a record of every change, and lets you share access with a developer.

Developers around the world use it, so your developer will very likely know it.

Did you know? GitHub's Free plan costs $0 and includes unlimited private repositories. A repository is the folder that holds one app's code. (GitHub pricing)

With GitHub you can:

• Move your app later if you choose, because GitHub keeps a copy of your code in your name, outside the tool you built with.
• Go back to a version that worked, because GitHub saves every change.
• Give a developer access without sharing your password.

How to save your vibe coded app's code on GitHub

Create a free GitHub account with your business email, connect your AI app builder, and keep the repository private.

1. Create a free account at github.com with your business email. (GitHub's guide)
2. Connect your AI app builder to GitHub: open its GitHub option and sign in to your account.
3. Keep the repository (your app's folder on GitHub) private. (About repositories)
4. Invite a developer to the repository when they need to see your code, and remove them when the work is done. (Inviting collaborators)

Who controls the code for my vibe coded app?

You control the code for your vibe coded app when these accounts are all in your name, under your business email:

• Your AI app builder account
• Your GitHub account
• Later, your hosting account

That way your build stays yours, whoever helps you with it.

If a developer or agency built your app and holds those accounts, here's how to get your code back. For your next build, here's how to protect your intellectual property.

Why should someone check my app's code before customers use it?

A check before launch finds what your AI tool didn't check, so your first customers have a great experience with your app.

AI tools build what you ask for. They rarely tell you what you didn't ask for. A code check looks for things like:

• One user seeing another user's information
• Keys to paid services left visible
• Slowdowns when many people use your app at once

Rea Hailley, CEO and co-founder of New Idea Machine, is on a mission to help small business owners make smarter technology decisions and avoid costly mistakes.