October 11, 2026
Product managers and designers build a working alpha themselves: engineers are brought in once demand shows
A three-step playbook for large companies: a product manager and a designer build a working alpha by vibecoding, and only once there is demand do they bring in engineers. The example comes from Atlassian's chief product officer, in a 102-second video; the thread was published Oct 10, 2026.
Lenny Rachitsky
@lennysan
A playbook is taking shape for product managers at large companies who try zero-to-one ideas: row, then steer. 1. Row: a PM and a designer vibecode a working alpha 2. Once demand shows, we bring in engineers 3. Steer: step away from the code to align priorities and clear blockers Great story from @Atlassian CPO @TYehoshua 👇
· 37.5K views
The alpha is built by the product manager and designer themselves, so a working version exists before the team does. **Add engineers.** Engineers join once the prototype has shown demand. **Steer.** The product manager steps away from the code and handles priorities and blockers: the helm, not the oar. The thread gives neither a timeline for the alpha nor its cost.
Next, teams that repeat the playbook on their own products will test it.
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