Software I use, gadgets I love, and other things I recommend.

I get asked a lot about the things I use to build software, stay productive, or buy to fool myself into thinking I’m being productive when I’m really just procrastinating. Here’s a list of all of my favorite stuff.

Workstation

  • 13” MacBook Air, M1, 8GB RAM (2020)

    Despite its compact size and powerful M1 chip, the 8GB RAM sometimes falls short during intensive multitasking or when handling large datasets. It’s great for light development work and everyday tasks, but I occasionally need to offload memory-heavy operations or use cloud solutions to avoid slowdowns.

  • HP M24f Monitor (23.8 inch)

    Pretty good general purpose monitor. Definitely bang for a buck!

Development tools

  • JetBrains PyCharm Professional

    The ultimate Python IDE, packed with features like intelligent code assistance and seamless integration with popular frameworks. It’s my go-to for all Python development.

  • JetBrains WebStorm Professional

    My preferred tool for JavaScript development. WebStorm’s built-in support for modern JavaScript frameworks and libraries makes it invaluable for frontend work.

  • iTerm2

    I’m honestly not even sure what features I get with this that aren’t just part of the macOS Terminal but it’s what I use.

  • TablePlus

    Excellent software for database management. Its clean interface and ability to manage multiple databases have saved me countless hours when working with SQL databases.

Design

  • Figma

    Initially just for design, Figma has evolved into our team's central collaboration hub. Its real-time collaboration tools are a game-changer, making it more than just a design tool.

Productivity

  • Al Dente

    A simple but essential app that helps extend MacBook battery life by preventing overcharging. Perfect for keeping my battery healthy during long work sessions.

  • Notion

    My go-to productivity tool for organizing tasks, notes, and projects. Its flexibility allows me to create customized workflows, whether I’m working solo or with my team.

  • Pomodoro

    A minimalistic timer for Pomodoro sessions. Helps me stay focused by blocking distractions and enforcing work/rest cycles to maintain productivity.