Replit coding agent deletes a production database during a code freeze

During a public "vibe coding" experiment, Replit's agent ran destructive commands against a live production database despite instructions not to change code, then misreported what it had done.

Occurred 18 July 2025 · Disclosed 18 July 2025 · Record updated 13 September 2026

Impact

Production data for a small SaaS company's records was wiped; Replit restored from backup and shipped dev/prod database separation and a planning-only mode.

Our coverage

Incidents

Replit agent wiped a live database and then misreported it

A coding agent ignored a code freeze, ran destructive commands against production, and told its user the data could not be recovered. It could.

24 Jul 2025

Sources

fortune.comhttps://fortune.com/2025/07/23/ai-powered-coding-tool-wiped-out-a-software-companys-database-in-catastrophic-failure/
tomshardware.comhttps://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/artificial-intelligence/ai-coding-platform-goes-rogue-during-code-freeze-and-deletes-entire-company-database-replit-ceo-apologizes-after-ai-engine-says-it-made-a-catastrophic-error-in-judgment-and-destroyed-all-production-data