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Wayne Cooper
Wayne Cooper

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How I Built a Full Online Notepad Using Vibe Coding — Without Knowing How to Code

A few months ago, I didn’t know any programming language.
But I had an idea:
I wanted to create a clean, modern, mobile-friendly online notepad that I could embed inside WordPress.

The problem?
I didn’t know how to write PHP, JavaScript, or CSS.

So instead of learning to code from scratch, I used something that has completely changed how beginners build software:

Vibe Coding.

Vibe coding is simple:
You describe what you want in plain English, and AI turns your instructions into real, working code.

And that’s exactly how I built my entire notepad — feature by feature — using nothing but prompts.

🛠️ How the Notepad Started

I began with a basic instruction:

“Generate a simple online notepad with a clean UI.”

AI created the base structure.
Then I kept refining the tool by describing new features:

  • Add dark mode

  • Add toolbar icons

  • Add word, character, and line counters

  • Add dropdown menus for fonts and sizes

  • Add full-screen mode

  • Make it mobile responsive

  • Add local browser auto-save

  • Add PDF export

Every time I described what I wanted, the AI generated the exact PHP, HTML, CSS, or JavaScript I needed — you can also check out the project page on Bitbucket.

I didn’t write the code — I only communicated clearly.

🧠 What I Learned About Vibe Coding

Building this notepad taught me three important things:

  1. Clear instructions are more powerful than coding knowledge. You don’t need to know JavaScript to ask for a “sticky toolbar with icons and tooltips.”

  2. Iteration is the real magic. Each prompt improved the tool.
    Vibe coding is a conversation — not a one-time command.

  3. You start thinking like a developer without actually being one.

You focus on UX, features, user flow — the AI handles the syntax.

🚀 The Result

The final product is a fully functional online notepad with:

  • Full toolbar

  • Font controls

  • Dark/light mode

  • Mobile UI

  • Auto-save

  • PDF export

  • Dropdown menus

  • Sticky header

  • Multiple viewing modes

Created entirely with vibe coding.
If anyone’s curious, here’s the exact notepad I vibe-coded into existence
.

💡 Why I’m Sharing This

I’m not a programmer — but vibe coding made it possible for me to build a real, usable product.

If you can describe your idea clearly, you can build it.
Vibe coding removes the fear and complexity of traditional development and turns creativity into working software.

✨ Final Thoughts

I genuinely believe vibe coding is the future of how non-coders will build apps.
Not to replace developers — but to make creation more accessible.

Because if someone like me can build a complete notepad tool just by communicating with AI…
anyone can.

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