In recent years, “vibe coding” has become a popular term among developers. It describes a style of programming where you rely heavily on intuition, rapid prototyping, and quick fixes—often pulling in external libraries for almost every feature. At first, it feels liberating: with a few lines of code, you can spin up an app, add authentication, or integrate fancy UI components. But beneath the surface, vibe coding comes with hidden costs, especially when it comes to external libraries.
Let’s take a closer look at the problems that arise when we lean too hard on them.
1. Dependency Bloat
When coding “by vibe,” it’s easy to add libraries without questioning if you really need them. A project that started simple can balloon into a web of dependencies. This creates:
- Heavier builds that slow down deployment.
- More vulnerabilities since each library brings its own set of security risks.
- Maintenance headaches, as updating one library may break another.
Sometimes you’ll discover you’ve pulled in a massive library just to use a single function—a classic case of over-engineering by dependency.
2. Security Risks and Trust Issues
External libraries are written and maintained by other people. If you haven’t carefully vetted the source, you’re placing blind trust in strangers’ code. This has led to high-profile supply-chain attacks where malicious actors injected harmful code into popular packages.
Vibe coding encourages speed over scrutiny, which means security checks often fall through the cracks. What feels like a shortcut today could open the door to vulnerabilities tomorrow.
3. Version Hell
One of the most frustrating parts of external libraries is dependency conflict. You might pull in Library A that relies on Version 1 of a framework, but Library B needs Version 2. Suddenly, your smooth workflow grinds to a halt as you wrestle with version managers, lock files, and compatibility hacks.
This is especially problematic in projects where vibe coding has stacked dozens of libraries together with little planning. The more dependencies you have, the greater the chance of conflict.
4. Performance Costs
External libraries often prioritize flexibility and general-purpose solutions, which can be slower than a lean, custom-built alternative. Over time, the “quick fix” code stitched together from various packages can lead to performance bottlenecks—particularly in client-facing applications where load times and responsiveness matter.
By relying too much on libraries, you may be trading performance for convenience.
5. Knowledge Gaps
Perhaps the most subtle drawback of vibe coding is how it affects a developer’s growth. When you lean too heavily on external libraries, you skip learning the fundamentals. For example:
- Using a form validation library without ever understanding regex.
- Importing an animation package without learning CSS transitions.
- Relying on an ORM without grasping SQL.
Over time, this can create a fragile skillset where you’re more of an assembler of tools than a problem-solver.
6. Longevity and Maintainability
Not all libraries stand the test of time. Many start strong but fade when maintainers lose interest. If your project is built on a dependency that’s no longer updated—or worse, deprecated—you face the challenge of replacing or maintaining that code yourself.
Vibe coding encourages grabbing what works right now, but doesn’t always consider the long-term sustainability of the stack.
Final Thoughts: Balancing Vibes with Discipline
Vibe coding isn’t inherently bad—it can spark creativity, accelerate prototyping, and keep developers in the flow. But external libraries should be used intentionally, not impulsively.
Before reaching for a package, ask yourself:
- Can I build this functionality in a few lines of code myself?
- Do I understand what this library actually does under the hood?
- Is this dependency trustworthy and actively maintained?
By balancing intuition with discipline, developers can keep the best parts of vibe coding—speed and creativity—while avoiding the traps of dependency bloat and fragility.
Need Development Support?
If vibe coding has shown us anything, it’s that speed without structure can create more problems than it solves. At MediaLocate, we help you keep the creativity while eliminating the chaos—through automation, workflow orchestration, and secure, scalable solutions designed to grow with you. From automated QA testing to custom software development and localization readiness, our technology services ensure your systems stay efficient, resilient, and ready for the future. Let’s turn your ideas into sustainable solutions—reach out today to see how we can support your next project.
