Vibe Coding is a creative, prompt-driven approach to software development. It involves direct interaction with an AI to generate code from natural language. This method is fast, intuitive, and highly experimental. Atlassian Forge provides the necessary infrastructure, security, and deployment logic to support such experiments.
While vibe coding offers a tempting quick start, developers often encounter problems when the AI lacks specific Forge knowledge. This interruption in the flow can lead to frustration.
The Vibe Coding Workflow: From Prompt to Deployment
The typical vibe coding process in Forge involves several key steps:
Preparation:
- Install Node.js v18+.
- Set up the Forge CLI (Command Line Interface).
- Prepare your Integrated Development Environment (IDE), such as Cursor, and integrate the MCP server.
Prompting Instructions:
- Instruct the MCP server to create a new Forge app. For example, you might prompt for a new Jira dashboard gadget.
Deployment Steps:
-
forge register– to obtain an app ID. -
npm install– to install all necessary dependencies. -
forge deploy– to push your code into the Atlassian cloud. -
forge install– to install the app into your Jira instance.
Note: {forge install} is only necessary if scopes or permissions have changed in the manifest.yaml file. Minor frontend adjustments only require {forge deploy}.
The 4 Most Common Obstacles When Vibe Coding with Atlassian Forge
In practice, four common hurdles arise when vibe coding with Atlassian Forge. These issues cannot be resolved by generic AI and require specific Forge expertise.
Hurdle 1: The Missing Forge Reconciler (Rendering Logic)
Problem: The AI generates code that fails to render correctly within Forge, often resulting in an empty gadget. This happens because the essential Forge Reconciler, which correctly executes Forge React components, is overlooked or improperly implemented.
Expert Solution: An experienced developer can implement this critical rendering fix quickly. Without this expertise, developers unfamiliar with Forge’s rendering mechanisms can spend hours debugging this issue.
Hurdle 2: Content Security Policy (CSP)
Problem: External fetch calls fail due to Forge’s strict Content Security Policy (CSP). This security measure prevents apps from making unauthorized requests to external domains directly from the client side.
Expert Solution: Implement secure backend functions that retrieve data server-side. Experts understand the architectural patterns necessary to comply with Forge’s security rules, routing external requests through the app’s backend to avoid CSP violations.
Hurdle 3: Outdated Packages and Incorrect Typing
Problem: The AI suggests outdated or inconsistent dependencies, leading to warnings or errors during the build or runtime. Additionally, missing TypeScript typing can cause further workflow problems by reducing code predictability and catching errors during development.
Expert Solution: Regular code reviews by experienced team members are crucial. They can identify and address technical debt caused by inconsistent AI code, ensuring all packages and APIs comply with current Forge standards. This includes updating dependencies and adding correct TypeScript definitions.
Hurdle 4: AI Hallucinations in Critical Areas
Problem: The AI makes incorrect assumptions, generating code that appears correct but contains subtle, critical errors. A specific example is the abbreviation of a correct URL within a backend function, which leads to a 404 error that a vibe coder might not immediately detect.
Expert Solution: Systematic debugging using the Forge logs quickly identifies such subtle but critical errors. Experienced developers know how to interpret these logs to prevent development flow from stopping completely.
The Role in the Development Team
The challenges highlighted make it clear that vibe coding with Forge is not a solo endeavor. At least two roles are advisable for an effective and efficient workflow.
Junior Developer / Vibe Coder
- Learn with AI: Use the generated code to understand how Forge works and experiment rapidly.
- If you get stuck: Consult examples from the official Forge documentation or specifically query the MCP server for available modules and API hooks.
- Be specific: Give the AI clear and precise prompts, ideally with working code examples, as it responds better to detailed instructions.
Senior Developer
- The focus: The senior team member should concentrate on testing, architectural decisions, and security reviews of the AI-generated code.
- Stay realistic: AI saves time in prototyping, but typically does not deliver production-ready code without refinement.
- Fulfill the role efficiently: Focus expertise where it is most needed, such as validating core logic and ensuring security. Outsourcing tasks like time-consuming debugging can be a sensible and efficient approach.
Uninterrupted Vibe Coding: How Seibert Can Help
Vibe coding offers significant time savings in prototyping, but its technical hurdles should not be underestimated. Seibert Solutions brings extensive experience from developing complex Atlassian Forge applications that serve millions of users.
We can help you overcome the technical hurdles and get your code running smoothly.
- Thanks to specialized Forge expertise, we can help you rapidly overcome critical development roadblocks.
- We can provide comprehensive support during debugging and ensure production readiness for AI-generated prototypes.
- We can guide you through the implementation process, from the first prompt to a stable product, free from frustration, delays, or security risks.