How Sam Altman’s ChatGPT Prompt Taught Me How to Vibe Code

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A non-coder built a functional website to plan a group trip using a ChatGPT prompt originally shared by Sam Altman, cofounder and CEO of OpenAI, according to a report from Business Insider. The experiment, which took under two hours, demonstrated the growing accessibility of software development through AI tools, even for individuals with no technical background.

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The process began when the author, Kelsey Vlamis, replicated Altman’s exact prompt, which instructed ChatGPT to generate a “full-stack site” for coordinating a group trip, complete with destination options, voting functionality, and reservation planning. Within nine minutes and 47 seconds, ChatGPT produced three tailored travel destinations—Santa Ynez Valley, South Lake Tahoe, and Todos Santos—along with a link to download the source code for a fully functioning website.

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Vlamis, who described themselves as a “non-coder” with only limited experience editing HTML in the early 2000s, followed ChatGPT’s step-by-step guidance to deploy the site. The tool walked them through installing Python, setting up a GitHub account, and using Render to host the website, a process that ultimately cost $7.25 per month. ChatGPT also provided a draft email to share the site with friends, enabling users to vote on destinations, set budgets, and coordinate activities.

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The website’s functionality extended beyond basic planning. It allowed users to create profiles, submit comments, and adjust availability, with the final destination unlocking a task-management section for assigning responsibilities. Vlamis noted that the site required minimal customization, as they only needed to copy-paste a few lines of code into the Terminal app. “I didn’t write a single line of code,” they wrote. “The closest I got was copying and pasting a few short strings of code from ChatGPT into the Terminal app as directed.”

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Despite the success, the process was not without challenges. Vlamis initially struggled to interpret the technical instructions in the generated source code, which they described as “gibberish.” ChatGPT later acknowledged the complexity of the initial approach and recommended a free alternative, Cloudflare, which could have simplified the deployment process. The tool also admitted it should have suggested OpenAI’s newly launched “Sites” feature, which allows users to create and host websites directly within ChatGPT without third-party services.

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The experiment highlighted the potential of “vibe coding,” a term used to describe the use of AI to build custom applications without traditional programming skills. Vlamis noted that the experience shifted their perspective on software development, revealing “software-shaped solutions” in everyday life. “After one vibe-coding exercise, I’m already starting to see some software-shaped solutions in my life,” they wrote.

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Industry observers have noted the broader implications of such tools. Jasmin Sun, a writer on AI, previously argued that many people struggle to translate ideas into software because they lack the technical know-how. Vlamis’ experience suggests that AI-powered tools like ChatGPT are bridging this gap, enabling non-experts to create functional applications with minimal effort.

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OpenAI’s spokesperson confirmed that the “Sites” feature, which allows users to build and host websites directly in ChatGPT, is now available in public beta. The tool, which requires a $20-per-month Plus subscription, eliminates the need for external hosting services like Render or Cloudflare. Vlamis later transferred their website to the Sites workspace and requested minor adjustments, which ChatGPT implemented in 14 minutes.

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The case underscores the accelerating role of AI in democratizing technology. While traditional software development remains complex, tools like ChatGPT are lowering barriers for non-coders, enabling them to build solutions tailored to their specific needs. For Vlamis, the experiment was both practical and transformative. “I couldn’t believe I built a website without writing a line of code,” they wrote. “Altman’s prompt turned out to be exactly the jump-start I needed to understand how vibe coding actually works.”

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As AI continues to evolve, the line between human creativity and machine assistance blurs. For individuals like Vlamis, the ability to turn ideas into functional tools without technical expertise represents a significant shift in how people interact with technology. Whether this trend will lead to widespread adoption or remain a niche tool for early adopters remains to be seen.

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“Vibe coding—[that] I, as a non-coder, could build custom apps and websites that are specific and useful to me without actually learning to code—might not be too good to be true after all.”
SourceKelsey Vlamis, Business Insider

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“If you tell a friend they can now instantly create any app, they’ll probably say, ‘Cool! Now I need to think of an idea.’ Then they will forget about it, and never build a thing.”
SourceJasmin Sun, writer on AI

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“The tool is in public beta and was already available in my account. ChatGPT, yet again, said it should’ve recommended Sites as an option.”
SourceKelsey Vlamis, Business Insider