I built two apps with just my voice and a mouse - are IDEs already obsolete?

## Summary
Also: I used Claude Code to vibe code an Apple Watch app in just 12 hours - instead of 2 months Back in the old-school coding days, there existed a development loop that could be described as edit→build→test→debug, and then back to edit. Also: I built an iOS app in just two days with just my voice - and it was electrifying Notice that the vibe coding loop doesn't really have the edit and debug elements. I put in another couple of hours "coding" and still didn't use the Xcode IDE for anything other than sending code to TestFlight , Apple's code-testing gateway. Also: I used Claude Code to vibe code a Mac app in 8 hours, but it was more work than magic Last year, before I started to vibe code big projects in earnest, I thought I'd need an AI-enabled IDE.

## Article Content
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I built two apps with just my voice and a mouse - are IDEs already obsolete?
With one hand holding my dog and no keyboard, I advanced two serious development projects using AI prompting, proving that the traditional coding setup may no longer be required.
Written by
David Gewirtz,
Senior Contributing Editor
Senior Contributing Editor
April 2, 2026 at 6:55 a.m. PT
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ZDNET's key takeaways
AI coding replaces edit and debug with instruct and guide.
Terminal plus AI replaces traditional development environments.
IDEs are reduced to build and deployment tools only.
My little dog Pixel does not like my couch keyboard. It often occupies a space on my lap that my 12-year-old Yorkipoo considers his sovereign territory. In his view, quality cuddling must not be compromised just because I want to
get some writing or coding done
.
That was the case last night, when my very good boy climbed up onto my shoulder, snuggled in, and fell asleep. It was also the moment when I realized
powerful development environments like VS Code and Xcode
are effectively obsolete.
My vibe coding projects
I am working on two
Apple programming projects
, each of which will run on iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches. I'm building a total of eight binaries that will eventually be distributed via the Apple App Store.
Also:
I used Gmail's AI tool to do hours of work for me in 10 minutes - with 3 prompts
One project is a filament management project that helps me keep track of rolls of 3D printer filament. I have 120 spools that live on four storage racks, each with five shelves. The spools are constantly moved between the racks and my eight 3D printers. Five of the printers can use four spools at once, one can use eight spools, and two are limited to one spool each.
The iPhone app uses NFC tags to make it super easy to track the movement of these spools and uses the built-in camera to take images of each spool for reference. The Watch app examines and updates location, while the Mac app provides a desktop view of the filament inventory.
The second project was initially based on the filament management system, but has become so much more. This project manages both physical and digital sewing patterns. Many sewists, like my wife, collect patterns in the hundreds and thousands, and keeping track of them is often quite a challenge.
My code uses NFC tags and photos to manage the physical patterns. The code also adds a ton of device-side AI to parse patterns and discover the name, category, vendor, and other relevant field data. This approach prevents the user from having to type all that information into the program. The sewing app adds a deep set of cataloging tools and features to the more basic functionality of what started as the filament management app.
Also:
I tried a Claude Code rival that's local, open source, and completely free - how it went
The filament app is pretty far along. I've been using it actively for about three months, and I'm about ready to start adding the various in-app purchase features. The sewing patterns app is still in fairly early development. It's taken a lot of time to get the on-device AI to work reliably, given the many variations in pattern and format and how each company does things differently. There are still many user interface elements that need to be designed and wired into all four app platforms.
The new vibe coding loop
Don't ever let anyone tell you that
you can vibe code
just by saying a few words or snapping your fingers. As you can see above, these products are complex, even though the AI does the actual coding.
Also:
I used Claude Code to vibe code an Apple Watch app in just 12 hours - instead of 2 months
Back in the old-school coding days, there existed a development loop that could be described as edit→build→test→debug, and then back to edit.
All interactive development environments (IDEs) are built around this loop. The bulk of the IDE interface is structured around a file tree and editing support tools, from syntax coloring to command completion and to nice vertical markers that point out the beginning and end of loops. The IDE also includes a debugger. You set breakpoints in the editor and cycle through the code line by line, watching the code run step by step.
Vibe coding also has a loop, and it's very similar.
Instead of edit, it's instruct, as in prompt the AI about what you want. Build stays the same. The code has to be turned into a working program. That step is accomplished by interpreting or compiling and then assembling the program.
The test stage also remains the same. But instead of doing the debugging yourself, you have to guide the AI. The AI can find and fix coding errors, but often needs guidance to find where the problem occurred. You can't just say "fix it" and assume the AI can do it. For a fair number of bugs, it needs some experienced guidance.


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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
- Innovation Home Innovation Artificial Intelligence I built two apps with just my voice and a mouse - are IDEs already obsolete?
- I wrote about that move in an article , making serious noises about how choosing the right IDE is important for fully using the AI features.

### Areas for Consideration
- Many sewists, like my wife, collect patterns in the hundreds and thousands, and keeping track of them is often quite a challenge.
- The AI can find and fix coding errors, but often needs guidance to find where the problem occurred.

### Implications
- With one hand holding my dog and no keyboard, I advanced two serious development projects using AI prompting, proving that the traditional coding setup may no longer be required.
- My vibe coding projects I am working on two Apple programming projects , each of which will run on iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches.
- I'm building a total of eight binaries that will eventually be distributed via the Apple App Store.
- Also: I used Claude Code to vibe code an Apple Watch app in just 12 hours - instead of 2 months Back in the old-school coding days, there existed a development loop that could be described as edit→build→test→debug, and then back to edit.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers code, coding, ide topics. Notable strengths include discussion of code. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 1862.