10 Ways Vibe-Coding is like your Wife

What on Earth is “Vibe-Coding”?

Let’s start here, because some of you are scratching your heads.

“Vibe-coding” is when someone just feels their way through coding. No plan. No architecture. No documentation. Just vibes. Like, “I think if I paste this snippet from StackOverflow into my PHP file and pray, it might just work.”

It’s like trying to assemble IKEA furniture without reading the manual — just hammering things in and hoping the shelf stands. (Spoiler: it usually doesn’t.)

To the oldies, if you know WordPress and have dabbled with it, this is something like the WordPress of 2025.

Now, after years as a web-app, mobile-app, and software developer in Singapore, I’ve noticed something hilarious: vibe-coding is a lot like marriage. More specifically… like having a wife.

And before the mob comes for me with pitchforks: this isn’t a dig at wives. I love mine. But if you’ve been married — or at least survived long-term relationships — you’ll know what I mean.

So here we go: 10 ways vibe-coding is exactly like your wife.

1. You Never Really Know What’s Going On

With vibe-coding, you’re staring at code and wondering, “Why is this working? It shouldn’t be working. But it is. Somehow.”

With your wife, it’s the same thing. One moment she’s happy. Next moment she’s upset because you left the Milo tin open. Or because you didn’t read her mind and buy bubble tea. You just… don’t know.

Both situations leave you muttering to yourself: “I’ll never understand this, but okay.”

2. Documentation is Nonexistent

Vibe-coding doesn’t come with documentation. At best, you’ll find half-baked comments like // TODO: fix this later (which of course means never).

Similarly, with your wife, there’s no manual. No official user guide. You just have to figure things out as you go. And heaven forbid you ask for instructions directly:
 “Dear, can you just tell me what you want for dinner?”
 “No, I want you to know.”

Same energy as function doThing() that randomly deletes your entire database.

3. The Rules Change Without Warning

In vibe-coding, something that worked perfectly yesterday suddenly breaks today. No warning. No explanation. Just red errors on your screen.

With your wife, the rules also change. Last week, it was fine to leave your shoes at the door. This week, somehow it’s a cardinal sin. You didn’t get the memo.

Developers call this “breaking changes.” Husbands call this “marriage.”

4. Copy-Paste from Others is Essential

Vibe-coders live on copy-paste. StackOverflow is their Bible. They don’t always understand it, but hey, if it works, it works.

Likewise, husbands sometimes just copy what other husbands are doing. “Oh, that guy bought flowers for his wife? Okay, I guess I should too.”

Sometimes it works. Sometimes it blows up in your face. (“Why are you copying other people? You should know me!”)

Either way, the strategy is the same: CTRL + C, CTRL + V, pray.

5. Debugging is Painful but Necessary

Vibe-coding creates bugs. Infinite bugs. Every line of code is a new opportunity for chaos.

Marriage too requires constant debugging. “Why are you upset?” you ask.
 “I’m fine,” she says.
 Error 404: clarity not found.

You start testing variables. Was it something I said? Did I forget the anniversary? Did I breathe too loudly?

Debugging vibe-code and debugging marriage both require patience, coffee, and sometimes bribery.

6. It Works… Until It Doesn’t

Vibe-code runs. Miraculously. And then one day, in production, it collapses like a Jenga tower.

Marriage can feel the same. You think everything is smooth sailing… until she suddenly reminds you of that one thing you said in 2012. During a traffic jam. That you don’t even remember.

Both situations leave you thinking, “Wait, how did we get here?”

7. Outsiders Don’t Get It

When outsiders look at vibe-coded projects, they’re horrified. “Bro, this is spaghetti code. How is this even running?”

When outsiders look at your marriage, they’re also horrified. “Wah, how you tahan? She so fierce!”

But here’s the thing: inside, it kinda works. It may not look pretty, but somehow it holds together.

8. There’s Always a Hidden Cost

Vibe-coding looks cheap and fast. Until maintenance time. Suddenly, you’re paying triple just to fix what you rushed earlier.

Marriage? Oh boy. Weddings look expensive, but wait till you hit anniversaries, birthdays, and random “just because” shopping sprees. The hidden costs are real.

In both cases, you learn the truth: nothing is truly “free.”

9. It’s All About Communication

Vibe-coders don’t communicate well. They don’t write comments, don’t explain their logic, don’t share knowledge. Which is why taking over a vibe-coded project is like inheriting someone else’s nightmare.

Marriage is also communication. Or at least… it’s supposed to be. But sometimes what you say and what she hears are two completely different things.
 You: “I’m tired.”
 She hears: “I don’t love you anymore.”

If vibe-coding had a language, it would be Wife-ese.

10. Somehow… You Still Love It

Here’s the weirdest part.

Despite the chaos, the bugs, the unpredictability… vibe-coders keep coding. And husbands keep loving their wives. Because deep down, both bring meaning, joy, and a kind of adventure you can’t really explain.

Sure, you’ll complain. You’ll rant. You’ll swear you’re done. But then you find yourself right back at it again.

Because love (and code) doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to run.

Real-Life Anecdote: My Client Who Tried Vibe-Coding

Quick story:

A few years back, a grocery wholesaler in Singapore, whose favourite quote is “coding is dead”, told me he had “already built” his inventory system. I thought, “Wah, not bad, this uncle is so advanced.”

Then I opened his laptop. His “system” was literally an Excel file with 20 hidden sheets, random formulas, and some VBA code he “borrowed from Google.”

That, my friends, is vibe-coding. It worked… kinda. Until it didn’t. And when it didn’t, he called me in to fix it.

I ended up building him a proper custom management system. One that didn’t crash when he pressed Enter. And he was so relieved — like a husband whose wife finally agreed to eat where he wanted. Rare joy.

Practical Takeaways (Yes, There’s a Point)

• Plan first. Whether it’s code or relationships, don’t just wing it. Write the documentation (or at least a WhatsApp note).
• Communicate. Bugs and misunderstandings fester in silence.
• Expect hidden costs. Budget for maintenance. Budget for bubble tea.
• Learn to debug calmly. Shouting at your wife (or code) never works.
• Accept imperfection. Nothing runs perfectly, but with effort, it’ll run well enough.

Conclusion: Laugh Through the Chaos

So yeah. Vibe-coding is like your wife. Messy, unpredictable, sometimes expensive, but full of meaning if you stick with it.

If you’re a developer, don’t vibe-code your projects. And if you’re married, don’t vibe-code your relationship either. Put in the work. Communicate. Maintain.

And most importantly: learn to laugh at the madness. Because at the end of the day, both vibe-code and marriage are stories you’ll be telling your friends over kopi for years.

Now your turn:
 Have you ever vibe-coded something (or, um, married someone) and lived to tell the tale? Drop your stories in the comments — I need a good laugh.