Gear & tools
Things I use
Software I use, gadgets I love, and other things I recommend. This is what I use to build software, stay productive, or buy to fool myself into thinking I'm being productive when I'm really just procrastinating.
16 things I use
Peripherals
- 13" MacBook Pro 2019Previous development machine. I was using an Intel-based 13" MacBook Pro prior to this and the difference is night and day. Served well for years before upgrading to the M2 version.Replaced by 14" MacBook Pro M2 Pro
- 14" MacBook Pro M2 ProPrimary laptop for development. High performance with amazing battery life, and an ecosystem that integrates well with other Apple devices.
- Keychron K3Mechanical keyboard with Gateron Brown switches that are comfortable for long coding sessions. Long battery life and bluetooth connectivity make it highly flexible.
- LG 27" MonitorSecondary monitor for an expansive workspace. Ideal for multitasking with multiple panels and terminals simultaneously.
- Neo Melo MouseAffordable slim mouse with dual mode wireless and wired connection. Very helpful when working with multiple screens or operating systems.
DevTools
- Oh My Zsh + GhosttyCombination of Oh My Zsh with Ghostty terminal makes the terminal more informative and productive. Enhanced with plugins like zsh-autosuggestions and fzf.
- OrbStackA better alternative to Docker. Used for running and isolating local development services. Makes it easier to set up consistent environments across various projects.
- Visual Studio CodeI don't care if it's missing all of the fancy IDE features everyone else relies on, Visual Studio Code is still the best text editor ever made.
Productivity
- Edge BrowserModern browser with split-screen functionality. Helps organize different work contexts more efficiently. Yeah I know, I know. It's a Microsoft product.
- NotionSystem for notes, knowledge base, and project management. Helps organize and store references, documentation, and roadmaps.
- ObsidianPersonal knowledge base and note-taking tool. Highly customizable and extensible.
- RaycastSpotlight replacement for macOS with extensions to improve workflow. Accelerates navigation, search, and common operations.
Design
- CanvaTool for quickly creating simple graphics, presentation slides, and other visual content. Very useful for everyday graphic needs.
- FigmaI'm using Figma as just a design tool but now it's become our virtual whiteboard for the entire company. Never would have expected the collaboration features to be the real hook.
- Lucide IconsCollection of open-source icons for use in web and mobile applications. Provides a wide range of icons for various use cases.
Miscellaneous
- TailscaleTailscale is a zero config VPN for building secure networks. I'm using this for connecting all my devices.