🛠️ Two modes of shipping AI automations in 2024:
1️⃣ Classic Coding
• You own every line → predictable, auditable, testable
• 2× longer upfront, 0.5× iteration speed
• Best for: HIPAA / SOC-2 stacks, 10k+ MAU, infra the CFO can depreciate
2️⃣ Vibe-Coding (Cursor Composer, Copilot Workspace, Replit Agent)
• Prompt → working branch in minutes
• 3× faster MVP, 1.5× tech-debt
• Best for: validating a new chatbot flow, weekend hack, or when the spec will change three times before Monday stand-up
3️⃣ My 15-second filter
Ask: “Will the C-suite lose sleep if this prompt hallucinates?”
• If YES → classic.
• If NO → vibe-code, lock the winning prompt behind a typed interface later.
4️⃣ Real numbers from last month
• Client A: vibe-coded an FAQ bot in 4 hrs, 2 k convos/day, zero infra bill → validated demand before hiring a backend team
• Client B: classic-coded the same feature, 3-week sprint, but passed bank security review on first pass → saved a $50 k audit re-run
5️⃣ Hybrid playbook I give every founder
Day 0-1: vibe-code the happy path
Day 2-3: auto-generate unit tests with AI, freeze the prompt behind a single TypeScript function
Day 4+: replace the weakest link with hand-rolled code only when metrics or compliance demand it
👇 Comment “🪄” and I’ll DM you the exact Cursor rule-file + test scaffold I use to switch lanes without a rewrite.