Tools I rely on, gear I enjoy, and things that make the work feel smoother.
People often ask me what I use to build, stay organized, or occasionally convince myself I’m “working” while actually just geeking out over cool tools. So here’s a curated list of my favorite software, gadgets, and go-to resources.
Workstation
14" MacBook Pro, M3 Pro, 18GB RAM (2023)
I upgraded from an older Intel-based model, and the difference is incredible. This machine runs everything I throw at it—builds, containers, and simulations—without breaking a sweat. I haven’t heard the fans come on once.
Development Tools
Visual Studio Code
My go-to editor for almost everything. Lightweight yet powerful, with a rich ecosystem of extensions that cover everything from linting to live collaboration. The built-in terminal is a huge win for my workflow.
IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate
When I need to dig deep into Java projects or perform heavy refactoring, IntelliJ is unbeatable. It’s fast, intelligent, and gets out of the way when I need to focus.
Hyper Terminal
Sleek, customizable, and modern—Hyper gives me a terminal experience that feels like a code editor. I love the UI, and the plugin ecosystem is a bonus.
TablePlus
My preferred GUI for working with databases. It makes it easy to explore schemas, visualize ERDs, and manage different database engines with a clean, unified interface.
Productivity
Reflect
I use a daily notes system, and Reflect makes it seamless. Everything goes into a dated entry, but it’s still easy to retrieve by topic later. It’s been a powerful tool for thinking, planning, and capturing ideas.
Focus
A minimalist app that blocks distractions when it’s time to lock in. One click, and I’m free from the rabbit holes of the internet.