Vibe Coding an ACAP
What if you could build your own Axis camera application without being a developer?
That’s the idea behind vibe coding—you describe what you want, an AI writes the code, and you guide the process through conversation rather than syntax. It won’t always go smoothly, but it’s surprisingly far.
The Starting Point
The make_acap repository provides a ready-made structure for building ACAP applications. Instead of starting from scratch, you clone it and use it as the foundation—then ask an AI assistant to help you shape it into something specific.
No deep C knowledge required. No build system expertise. Just a clear idea of what you want the application to do.
What the Process Looks Like
- Clone the
make_acaprepository - Describe your idea to an AI (Claude, ChatGPT, or similar)
- Ask it to plan the implementation
- Let it write the code
- Build, test, troubleshoot—with AI help along the way
The video below walks through the full process: from cloning the repo, prompting for a plan, executing the code changes, and dealing with the inevitable hiccups.
Why This Matters
Most ACAP development happens inside a small group of specialists. Vibe coding opens the door wider—system integrators, camera operators, and technically curious people can now experiment with custom edge applications without waiting for a developer.
It won’t replace real development work. But for prototyping ideas and solving specific problems, it’s a surprisingly capable shortcut.
Give it a try. You might be surprised what you can build.
