AI-First Engineering
The hidden tech debt in vibe-coded apps
AI writes code fast. It also writes tech debt fast. A vibe-coded app can look finished while carrying problems that surface later, when they cost the most to fix.
What the debt looks like
- Duplication: the same logic copied across many files
- Dead code and unused paths that no one dares remove
- Invented or abandoned dependencies the model pulled in
- No clear structure, so nothing has an obvious home
- Missing tests, so no one knows what still works
Why it compounds
Tech debt is quiet at first. Then every new feature fights the mess. A small change breaks something unrelated. A new engineer takes weeks to get productive. The bill comes due exactly when you try to scale.
How to find it early
A senior read of the codebase beats a scanner. Duplication and dead code show up quickly. Dependency and license risk need a real check. Missing tests reveal the true state faster than any demo.
A production-readiness audit surfaces the debt and gives you a plan to pay it down. For the wider approach, see how we practise AI-assisted engineering.
Related reading
Is vibe coding production-ready?, and the mobile path: from a vibe-coded MVP to production-grade Flutter.
Frequently asked questions
Does vibe coding always create tech debt?
Not always, but it is common. AI generates working-looking code fast, without the structure, tests, and review that keep a codebase maintainable. That gap is where debt collects.
How do we find the tech debt before it hurts?
A senior read of the codebase, not just a linter. A production-readiness audit surfaces duplication, dead code, dependency risk, and missing tests, with a plan to pay them down.