AI app rescue
Fix and secure vibe-coded apps
Built an app with an AI coding tool and now it's buggy, insecure or breaks every time you add a feature? We audit the code, fix the dangerous problems first, then stabilise and refactor it so it can go live and keep growing. Based in Wakefield, working with founders across the UK.
What a vibe-coded app is, and why it breaks
"Vibe coding" means building software by describing what you want to an AI tool and accepting the code it writes, often without reading it. Tools such as Lovable, which generates a full web app from chat prompts, make it possible to get from idea to working demo remarkably quickly.
The trouble starts when the demo becomes a real product. Each prompt solves the immediate problem, but nobody is designing the whole. Logic gets duplicated, security is assumed rather than checked, and every fix risks breaking something else.
Signs your app needs rescuing
- Bugs that come back however you prompt the tool
- Broken sign-in, weak authentication or exposed API keys
- Something breaks every time you add a feature
- No real backend, or a database you cannot trust
- You are about to take payments or personal data and are not sure it is safe
- The AI tool has hit its limits and nobody can work on the code by hand
AI coding tools we work with
- Lovable
- Cursor
- Bolt.new
- v0
- Replit
- Windsurf
- Base44
- ChatGPT and Claude
What we look for in an audit
These problems are typical of AI-generated code. The audit checks for each and ranks what we find by risk, so the most dangerous issues are fixed first.
Security
Secret keys in front-end code, database tables without access rules (for example missing row-level security in Supabase), permission checks that only run in the browser, and unvalidated input.Data and backend
How data is stored and related, whether it is backed up, and whether the backend can support real users, payments and multiple accounts.Code structure
Duplicated logic, unused code, tangled components and missing error handling that make every change risky.Deployment and operations
How the app is hosted and released, whether there are separate test and live environments, and whether you would know if it went down.
How we rescue your app
1. Audit
We review the code, security, data and hosting, and give you a written, prioritised list of what needs fixing and a quote for the work.2. Stabilise and secure
We close security holes, repair authentication and fix the bugs that stop the app working reliably.3. Refactor and test
We restructure the code so features are not tangled together, and add tests around the parts that matter most.4. Deploy and hand over
We put the app live properly, on your own domain if needed, and hand over a documented codebase you own.
What's included
Typically included
- A code and security audit with a prioritised report
- Fixing bugs, errors and broken sign-in
- Removing exposed keys and moving secrets to safe storage
- Database and backend repairs, or a rebuild where needed
- Refactoring and tests for the most important features
- Production deployment, documentation and handover
Not included
- Hosting, database and AI tool subscription fees
- New features beyond the agreed scope, which are quoted separately
- Formal penetration testing or security certification by an accredited third party
- Ongoing development after handover, unless a support arrangement is agreed
Cost and timescales
The cost depends on how much of the code can be kept, how serious the security and stability problems are, and whether the backend needs rebuilding. Our cost to fix an AI-built app guide sets out typical UK ranges for an audit, stabilisation work and a rebuild.
Timescales typically depend on the size of the app and what the audit finds. Fixing critical security problems comes first, so the riskiest issues are dealt with early.
Frequently asked questions
Can you fix an app built with Lovable, Bolt, Cursor or Replit?
Yes. We work with apps built using AI coding tools such as Lovable, Bolt.new, Cursor, v0, Replit, Windsurf, Base44 and code written with ChatGPT or Claude. We review the existing code, fix the bugs and security issues, and get it working reliably.
My vibe-coded app keeps breaking when I add new features. Can you help?
Yes. AI-generated apps often work as a quick demo but become fragile as you build on them, because the same logic is repeated in several places and nothing tests that changes do not break existing features. We restructure the code and add tests so it can take new features without falling over.
Is my AI-built app secure?
It may not be. Common problems include API keys exposed in the browser, database tables anyone can read or write, permission checks that only happen in the front end, and no limits on sign-ups or requests. A security review is the first part of every audit, and the most serious issues are fixed first.
Should I fix my app or start again?
Fixing is usually cheaper, because working parts of the app are kept and improved. Starting again makes sense when the structure cannot support what you need, for example multiple customer accounts or payments, and patching it would cost more than a clean build. The audit tells you which situation you are in.
How much does it cost to fix an AI-coded app?
It depends on the state of the code and what you need it to do. The first piece of work is normally a code and security audit, which gives you a clear quote for anything larger. Our cost guide sets out typical ranges for an audit, stabilisation and a rebuild.
Will I own the code after you fix it?
Yes. You get full ownership of a clean, documented codebase that you or any developer can maintain and grow. No lock-in.
Related services and guides
Services that often go with this one
- MVP Development
A first version of a new product, scoped to the smallest set of features that lets real users test the idea.
- SaaS Development
Subscription software built to run as a business: user accounts, roles, billing, admin tools and integrations.
- AI Consultancy & Integration
Find the processes where AI is useful, then integrate it into the tools your team already uses.
Costs, comparisons and examples
- How much does it cost to fix an AI-built app?
Typical ranges for an audit, stabilisation work and a rebuild.
- Lovable vs custom development
What Lovable is good for, and when a prototype needs moving to custom code.
- AI app builders vs custom development
Lovable, Bolt, Cursor, Replit and v0 compared with a custom build.
The Lilybank Agency is based in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, and works with businesses across the UK. See all our services, browse the portfolio, read our case studies or see the areas we serve.
Talk to us about your project
Tell us what you need and what you already have. We will get back to you within one working day to talk through scope, timings and budget.