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Image this: You’ve got an thought for a pace studying app. As an alternative of spending hours researching which Python modules and libraries to make use of, coding the totally different elements, and debugging syntax errors, you merely describe what you need in plain English. Inside minutes, you are tweaking font sizes and discussing person expertise enhancements together with your AI coding associate.
That is “vibe coding” — a collaborative strategy the place pure language directions assist get to practical functions by means of iterative dialog. It isn’t about changing conventional coding expertise, however about accelerating the journey from idea to working prototype.
At this time, I am going to stroll you thru how I constructed a totally practical RSVP (Speedy Serial Visible Presentation) pace studying app in simply quarter-hour utilizing Python.
🔗 Hyperlink to the speed-reading app on GitHub
Going From Concept to Implementation
Say you’ve an thought, and want to vibe-code it. When you already use ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini, you may proceed to make use of the identical. I like to recommend you check out these prompts (or higher variations of the identical) to see what you’re in a position to construct.
Step 1: Describe What You Wish to Construct
You’ll be able to open with a easy request:
“I might prefer to create a command-line pace studying software utilizing Python that implements RSVP (Speedy Serial Visible Presentation) method. The app ought to run on Ubuntu, show phrases sequentially at adjustable speeds, and embody fundamental controls based mostly on keyboard inputs. May you present a clear, well-structured implementation with correct error dealing with?”
No technical specs. No detailed necessities. Only a clear intent. That is the place vibe coding is tremendous cool — you begin with the what, not the how.
This offers us a superb place to begin. From that preliminary immediate, it’s best to get a practical terminal-based pace studying software:
class RSVPReader:
def __init__(self, textual content, wpm=250, chunk_size=1):
self.textual content = textual content
self.wpm = wpm
self.phrases = self._prepare_text()
self.current_index = 0
self.is_paused = False
self.delay = 60.0 / (wpm * chunk_size)
The preliminary implementation contains:
- Textual content processing: Splitting content material into readable chunks
- Velocity management: Configurable words-per-minute
- Interactive controls: Pause, resume, navigate, pace adjustment
- Progress monitoring: Visible suggestions with progress bars
- File assist: Learn from textual content recordsdata or direct enter
For the whole implementation of the category, you may verify the rsvp_reader.py file.
Step 2: Improve Consumer Expertise
When requesting enhancements, we used descriptive, goal-oriented language:
“I might like to reinforce the visible presentation by centering the textual content show within the terminal window and growing the font emphasis for higher readability. May you modify the code to make the most of the terminal’s heart space extra successfully whereas sustaining clear, skilled output?”
This prompted terminal manipulation:
def _get_terminal_size(self):
"""Get terminal dimensions for responsive format"""
attempt:
import shutil
cols, rows = shutil.get_terminal_size()
return cols, rows
besides OSError:
return 80, 24 # Smart fallbacks
Now the speed-reading app nonetheless works. Nonetheless, we are able to add some last enhancements.
Step 3: Refine Consumer Interface Necessities As Wanted
Our last iteration request specifies the necessities clearly:
“I might prefer to refine the interface design with these particular necessities: 1) Show textual content within the heart 40% of the terminal display, 2) Cut back default studying pace for higher comprehension, 3) Create a static management interface that does not refresh, with solely the studying textual content updating dynamically, 4) Keep clear borders across the lively show space. May you implement these adjustments whereas preserving all current performance?”
This resulted within the following terminal management:
def _get_display_area(self):
"""Get the 40% heart rectangle dimensions"""
cols, rows = self._get_terminal_size()
display_width = int(cols * 0.4)
display_height = int(rows * 0.4)
start_col = (cols - display_width) // 2
start_row = (rows - display_height) // 2
return start_col, start_row, display_width, display_height
def _draw_static_interface(self):
"""Draw the static interface"""
# Controls keep fastened, solely phrases change
An Overview of the Technical Specifics
We now have the next within the RSVP pace studying app we’ve constructed.
Threading for Responsive Controls
This methodology captures keyboard enter in real-time with out pausing the primary program by switching the terminal to uncooked mode and utilizing non-blocking I/O polling:
def _get_keyboard_input(self):
"""Non-blocking keyboard enter handler"""
old_settings = termios.tcgetattr(sys.stdin)
attempt:
tty.setraw(sys.stdin.fileno())
whereas self.is_running:
if choose.choose([sys.stdin], [], [], 0.1)[0]:
# Deal with real-time enter with out blocking
Sensible Terminal Positioning
This methodology positions textual content at precise coordinates on the terminal display utilizing ANSI escape sequences, the place the code strikes the cursor to a particular row and column earlier than printing the phrase:
def _display_word(self, phrase):
# Use ANSI escape codes for exact positioning
print(f' 33[{word_row};{word_start_col}H{large_word}')
Adaptive Speed Control
This dynamically adjusts reading speed based on word length, giving users 20% more time for long words (8+ characters) and 20% less time for short words (under 4 characters) to optimize comprehension:
# Longer words get more display time
word_delay = self.delay
if len(current_word) > 8:
word_delay *= 1.2
elif len(current_word) < 4:
word_delay *= 0.8
So yeah, you can run the app, and see for yourself how it works.
First, you can make it executable like so. Make sure you can add the shebang line at the top of the script:
$ chmod +x rsvp_reader.py
You can run it like so:
$ ./rsvp_reader.py sample.txt
You can find more details on the README file.
Conclusion
Our vibe coding session produced:
- A fully functional terminal-based speed reading app in Python
- Support for variable reading speeds (50-1000+ WPM)
- Real-time controls for pause, navigation, and speed adjustment
- Adaptive display that works on any terminal size
- Clean, distraction-free interface focused on the 40% center area
- Smart word timing based on length and complexity
In 15 minutes, we went from a simple idea to a functional application that someone can actually use.
Ready to try vibe coding yourself? Start with a simple idea, describe it in plain English, and see where the conversation takes you. The code will follow.
Bala Priya C is a developer and technical writer from India. She likes working at the intersection of math, programming, data science, and content creation. Her areas of interest and expertise include DevOps, data science, and natural language processing. She enjoys reading, writing, coding, and coffee! Currently, she’s working on learning and sharing her knowledge with the developer community by authoring tutorials, how-to guides, opinion pieces, and more. Bala also creates engaging resource overviews and coding tutorials.
