Q&A

Vibe Coding in Action: Practical AI Tips for Smarter Development

• By David Ramel
• 09/22/2026

AI-assisted development is increasingly moving beyond autocomplete and into a more conversational workflow in which developers describe what they want to accomplish and let an AI coding assistant help turn that intent into working software. GitHub's Copilot documentation, for example, shows developers using natural-language requests to write code, improve and refactor existing code, generate tests and ask questions about a project.

That makes prompting an increasingly practical development skill. GitHub's prompt-engineering guidance recommends starting with a general goal and then supplying specific requirements, avoiding ambiguity and providing relevant code or other context. Its Copilot best practices also stress that generated code still needs to be understood, reviewed and checked with tests and other tooling.

Those ideas are at the center of the upcoming Vibe Coding in Action: Practical AI Tips for Smarter Development session at Live! 360 Tech Con 2026, where Mayuri Lahane, Software Engineer and AI Enthusiast, will demonstrate how GitHub Copilot can fit into an everyday developer workflow.

For Mayuri, the idea of "vibe coding" is less about surrendering development to AI than about changing the way developers communicate their intent. Rather than spending as much time on repetitive implementation work, a developer can describe a goal in natural language and use Copilot to produce a starting point, then apply familiar engineering practices to assess and improve the result.

The introductory, hands-on session will show attendees how to set up GitHub Copilot in Visual Studio Code and apply it to code generation, refactoring and documentation. Mayuri also plans to focus on practical prompting techniques designed to keep developers in the flow while reducing the mental overhead of routine tasks.

That emphasis on developer control is especially important when AI moves from suggesting a line or two of code to making larger changes. GitHub's own refactoring guidance advises developers to assess Copilot's proposed changes and verify that revised code runs correctly and produces the expected result. Mayuri takes a similar approach, recommending tests, code reviews and engineering judgment as essential companions to AI-assisted speed.

The session is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 18, from 4:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. during the Nov. 15-20 Live! 360 Tech Con at the Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando. We caught up with Mayuri to discuss what vibe coding means in practice, how to get more useful results from Copilot and which development tasks are good candidates for an AI assist.

Pure AI: What Does 'Vibe Coding' Mean to You in a Practical Development Workflow?
Mayuri: To me, vibe coding means expressing intent in natural language and letting AI help translate that intent into working software. It's not about replacing software engineering fundamentals. It's about reducing the time spent on repetitive tasks so developers can focus on architecture, business requirements, problem-solving, and delivering value. The developer remains in charge, while AI acts as a collaborative coding partner.

Which GitHub Copilot Capability Gives New Users the Quickest Productivity Boost?
The quickest win is learning how to write effective prompts directly in the editor. Many developers start with code completion, but they see a much bigger productivity boost when they can describe what they want in plain English and have Copilot generate solutions, explain code, create tests, or suggest improvements. That shift often saves hours each week.

What Makes a Natural-Language Prompt More Useful for Generating Code?
The best prompts provide context, intent, and constraints. Instead of saying, "Create an API," explain what the API should do, which technology stack you're using, how errors should be handled, and what success looks like. The more clearly you communicate your goal, the more accurate and useful the generated code will be.

How Can Developers Use GitHub Copilot to Refactor Code While Still Remaining Confident in the Result?
Treat GitHub Copilot as an assistant, not an authority. Ask it to explain the refactoring, identify tradeoffs, and generate relevant unit tests. Then validate the generated changes using tests, code reviews, and your own engineering judgment. Combining AI-assisted refactoring with testing, code reviews, and developer judgment helps maintain confidence while accelerating modernization efforts.

What Is One Repetitive Coding Task You Think Developers Should Hand Off to Copilot First?
I'd start with unit tests. Writing tests is valuable, but much of the work is repetitive and follows established patterns. Copilot can generate a solid first draft in seconds, allowing developers to spend more time thinking about edge cases, business rules, and overall quality.

How Can Copilot Help with Documentation Without Creating More Cleanup Work?
Use Copilot to generate documentation from existing code and then refine it with targeted prompts. For example, ask it to create concise method summaries, README sections, or architectural explanations based on the implementation. When documentation is generated directly from working code, it tends to require less manual cleanup and remains more accurate.

What Habit Helps Developers Stay in Control While Still Benefiting from the Speed of Vibe Coding?
Pause and review before accepting. The most successful developers don't blindly accept AI-generated code. They validate assumptions, examine the generated logic, and ensure it aligns with their requirements. Maintaining that review mindset allows you to move fast without sacrificing quality.

How Can Attendees Learn More About This Topic, and Prepare for Your Session?
The best preparation is simple: install GitHub Copilot, use it for a few everyday coding tasks, and come with questions. During the session, we'll explore practical prompting techniques, real-world development scenarios, and effective ways to integrate Copilot into your daily workflow. Whether you're just getting started or already using AI-assisted development, you'll leave with techniques you can apply immediately.

Note: Those wishing to attend the session can save money by registering early, according to the event's pricing page. "Save $400 by registering by the Super Early Bird deadline of Sept. 25," said the organizer of the event, which is presented by the parent company of Pure AI.