What is a Vibe Coder?

A Vibe Coder is a developer who combines deep technical expertise with modern AI-assisted coding techniques to build web applications faster, with more flexibility, and at higher quality than traditional development approaches. Byron Johnson coined this term to describe his unique approach of matching a client's vision (their 'vibe') with rapid, AI-powered execution.

How much does it cost to hire a Vibe Coder?

Byron Johnson charges $60 per hour with a full quote provided upfront. You get direct access to a senior developer with 15+ years of experience, full code ownership, and no hidden fees or complicated retainers.

What technologies does Byron Johnson specialize in?

Byron specializes in JavaScript, React, Next.js, modern CSS, single page applications (SPAs), and full-stack web development. He leverages AI-assisted coding tools to deliver projects faster while maintaining senior-level code quality.

Can you rescue a stalled or abandoned web project?

Yes. Project rescue is one of Byron's core services. He specializes in parachuting into messy codebases, making sense of the chaos, and delivering working solutions - whether you were ghosted by your last developer or your project simply stalled.

How fast can you build an MVP?

Using vibe coding techniques and AI-assisted development, Byron can take your idea from concept to working MVP in days, not weeks or months. This rapid prototyping approach gets your product into users' hands faster than traditional development.

What types of projects does Byron work on?

Byron works on custom web applications, marketing and landing pages, single-page applications (SPAs), e-commerce frontends, SaaS dashboards, and API-driven interfaces. He specializes in React and Next.js projects but can work with any modern JavaScript-based codebase.

Do I get full ownership of the code?

Yes, absolutely. Full code ownership is included in every engagement. Byron does not retain any rights to your code, design, or intellectual property. Everything built for you is yours to keep, deploy, and modify however you choose.

How does vibe coding differ from traditional freelancing?

Traditional freelancers estimate hours, bill slowly, and often miss the intent behind a project. Vibe coding means Byron uses AI-assisted tools to move dramatically faster, iterates in close collaboration with you, and treats your project like a co-founder — not just a client ticket. The result is faster delivery, lower total cost, and a product that actually matches your vision.

What does the project process look like?

The process starts with a discovery conversation to understand your goals, then Byron provides a full upfront quote. Once agreed, he builds iteratively with regular check-ins, shares progress via live previews, and hands off the completed project with documentation. There are no surprises on scope or billing.

Can you work with my existing codebase?

Yes. Byron specializes in jumping into existing codebases, including messy or undocumented ones. Whether you need to add features, refactor, improve performance, or rescue a stalled project, he can audit the existing code, identify issues, and move forward efficiently.

How to Take Over an Abandoned Codebase: A Founder's Step-by-Step Guide

TL;DR

To take over an abandoned codebase: (1) secure repo, hosting, and API credentials immediately; (2) document what was promised vs. built; (3) hire a rescue developer for a 2–4 hour audit before writing new code; (4) get a fixed rescue quote based on findings. Byron Johnson specializes in codebase takeover at yourvibeshift.com/services/project-rescue — $60/hr.

When You Need to Take Over a Codebase

You're in takeover territory if any of these apply:

Your developer stopped responding mid-sprint
The repo exists but nobody can explain the architecture
You're locked out of Vercel, AWS, or Stripe dashboards
A new developer quoted $20K+ just to "understand what exists"
The app "works on their machine" but production is broken

Taking over isn't starting over — it's assessing what's salvageable and finishing from a known baseline.

Step 1: Secure Every Asset (Day 1)

Before auditing code, own the infrastructure:

Asset	Where to find it	Action
Git repository	GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket	Transfer ownership or add yourself as admin
Hosting	Vercel, Netlify, AWS, Railway	Get login or transfer project
Domain & DNS	Namecheap, Cloudflare, GoDaddy	Verify registrar access
Database	Supabase, PlanetScale, MongoDB Atlas	Export backup if possible
Auth	Clerk, Auth0, Firebase	Admin access + API keys
Payments	Stripe, Paddle	Dashboard access
Email	SendGrid, Resend, Postmark	API keys
Design files	Figma, Drive	Download all exports

Save everything in a password manager. If the developer still has access, revoke it after you confirm backups.

Step 2: Document What Exists vs. What Was Promised

Create a simple spreadsheet:

Promised features (from contract, SOW, or email)
Built features (what actually works in staging/production)
Broken or incomplete (started but non-functional)
Unknown (can't test without credentials)

Include screenshots, Slack/email history, and the last commit date. This becomes the rescue developer's brief.

Step 3: Get a Codebase Audit (Before Any New Code)

The biggest mistake founders make: hiring someone to "just finish it" without an audit. You need a senior developer to answer:

Is the stack modern and maintainable? (React/Next.js vs. abandoned framework)
Is there a test suite? (usually no — affects timeline)
Are dependencies current or dangerously outdated?
Is there a clear deployment path?
What's the realistic path to "done"? (fix vs. partial rewrite)

A focused 2–4 hour audit at $60/hr ($120–$240) saves thousands in blind rebuilds.

Step 4: Decide — Rescue, Refactor, or Rebuild

Situation	Recommendation
Modern stack, clear structure, 60–80% complete	Rescue — finish remaining features
Messy but functional core	Refactor + rescue — stabilize then extend
Wrong stack, no docs, <40% complete	Partial rebuild — salvage data/auth, rewrite app
WordPress/page-builder mess	Rebuild — rarely worth rescuing

Your audit should produce a written recommendation with a fixed price to reach MVP — not open-ended hourly billing.

Step 5: Hand Off Cleanly to the Rescue Developer

Provide:

Repo access (read + write)
Staging URL and production URL
Audit spreadsheet from Step 2
List of "must ship" vs. "nice to have"
Budget range and deadline

A good rescue developer will propose milestones: audit → fix blockers → core features → deploy → documentation.

Red Flags in an Abandoned Codebase

Walk away from rescue (or price accordingly) if you see:

Hardcoded API keys in the repo (security debt)
No README, no env example, no deployment docs
node_modules committed or .env in git history
Multiple conflicting frameworks in one project
Database schema with no migrations

These aren't dealbreakers — but they add time and cost. An honest audit surfaces them upfront.

What Takeover Typically Costs

Scope	Timeline	Cost at $60/hr
Audit only	2–4 hours	$120–$240
Rescue (60% complete app)	1–3 weeks	$2,400–$7,200
Partial rebuild	2–4 weeks	$4,800–$9,600
Full rebuild	3–6 weeks	$7,200–$14,400+

Fixed quotes beat hourly for rescue work — you need certainty after already being burned once.

Hire a Rescue Developer

Byron Johnson takes over abandoned React and Next.js codebases regularly — audit first, fixed quote second, full code ownership included.

Project Rescue services → · Start a project →

Ready to work together?

Whether you need a new build, project rescue, or performance optimization — let's talk about your project.