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

A list of the tools and gadgets I currently use to build, design and test software + the tools I currently use to stay productive all day + other random stuff that I just really like in my workflow.

Workstation

  • 14” MacBook Pro, M1 Pro, 16GB RAM (2021)

    I was using an Intel-based 16” MacBook Pro prior to this and the difference is night and day. I’ve never heard the fans turn on a a single time, even under the incredibly heavy loads I put it through while working with extensive API calls and while running several virtual machines via Docker.

  • Dell S Series S2421HSX 23.8”

    I use this display vertically all the time while working on large codebases. It’s also great for reading long articles, documentation, and it also helps while writing my articles on Medium.

  • HP 24f Ultraslim Full HD Monitor 23.8”

    This is the main display I use while doing research for my articles, debugging my code, and watching videos on my free time as I use my main MacBook computer for messaging in Slack and other communication apps.

Development tools

  • Visual Studio Code

    I 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. I’ve tried so many tools over the years such as Atom, other JetBrains IDE’s, Sublime Text, and even Vim and Neovim but I always come back to VS Code. It’s just so fast and reliable, and it has loads of extensions, where you can power it up with any feature you want.

  • macOS Terminal

    It is not the most powerful terminal emulator out there, but it has all the features and customizations I need. I use it for everything from running my local development environment to managing my servers. It also looks very nice and clean, which I like a lot.

  • Docker

    As a software engineer, I work with a lot of different projects, which requires the usage of different programming languages, frameworks and tools. And most of the time, it is common that these tools will break other tools in other projects, which is a huge pain. Docker solves this problem by allowing me to create isolated development environments for each project, where I can install any tool I need without having to worry about breaking other projects. I also use it to run my local development environment, which is very convenient.

  • Postman

    I use Postman whenever I need to test a server or an API by sending different kind of web requests, whether it is mine or someone else’s.

Design

  • Excalidraw

    I use Excalidraw for all of my wireframing and prototyping work. It’s easily the best tool I’ve ever used for this purpose. It also has a very easy learning curve and it’s free. Also, it has a great community of users and developers, which is always a plus.

  • Figma

    I use Figma for all of my UI design work. It’s a great tool for designing user interfaces, and it also has a great community of users and developers, which is always a plus.

  • Contrast

    Whenever I need to check the contrast between two colors, I use this tool to see if their contrast ratio is high enough to be accessible for the end user. I also use this tool to find the color I see on the screen.

Productivity

  • Google Calendar

    I rely on Google Calendar as my primary tool to manage and keep track of all my meetings, appointments, events, and tasks. It is an extremely user-friendly and reliable system that effectively gets the job done without any complications. One of the reasons I find Google Calendar so useful is its simplicity; it's straightforward and easy to use, helping me to avoid any scheduling conflicts and ensuring that I'm always well-prepared for the day ahead. In addition to this, I also have a Google Workspace subscription. This service provides a plethora of additional benefits, one of which is the ability to create appointment schedules directly from my calendar. I can easily prepare these schedules and share them with colleagues, clients, or anyone else who may need to book a meeting with me. This feature makes it incredibly easy for others to see my availability and schedule a time that works for both of us, streamlining the entire process and making scheduling meetings a breeze.

  • Google Drive

    Google Drive is an essential tool that keeps both my work and personal life organised. I use it to store all my work-related documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and personal files like photos and videos. It also serves as a central hub for creating and managing project files, brainstorming and drafting Medium blog posts and collaborating with colleagues on shared documents. The ability to access my files from any device, anywhere, is incredibly convenient and significantly boosts my productivity. Additionally, its desktop app allows me to access files offline, which is very convenient in places with bad connections or while travelling. This flexibility allows me to seamlessly transition between my desktop, laptop, and mobile devices, ensuring I can access important documents and information whenever necessary.

  • Loom

    I use Loom to record my screen and share it with other people. It’s a great tool for recording video tutorials and for giving feedback on other people’s work without the need of scheduling and attending a meeting.

Other Stuff

  • Kindle Paperwhite

    Kindle’s Paperwhite edition is one of the best gadgets I’ve ever purchased. I use it to read books, articles, and even my own articles. It’s just so convenient to have all my reading material in one place, and it’s also very easy to carry around while travelling.

  • Sony WH-1000XM5 Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones

    I use these headphones to listen to music, watch videos, and to attend meetings. They are just so comfortable and the sound quality is amazing. I also use them to block out any noise while I’m travelling or working in a noisy environment.