Tools I actually use to build, create, and stay sharp

Nobody asked, but here’s a quick peek at the stuff I use to build things, stay productive, and occasionally waste time in style. If it’s on this list, it’s earned its spot.

Workstation

  • 14” MacBook Pro (2021, M1, 16GB RAM, 512GB)

    My daily driver. Handles dev, design, and distraction without breaking a sweat.

  • Mac Mini (2020, M1, 16GB RAM, 256GB)

    My home server. Quiet, efficient, and just sits there doing its job.

  • LG UltraWide 34WN80C-B (34”, Curved)

    21:9 QHD IPS gives me space to breathe. I run two of these and never want to go back.

  • Magic Keyboard with Touch ID + Magic Trackpad

    The combo that just works. Not mechanical, but smooth and reliable.

  • Orangebox ARA MBA Chair

    Red fabric, grey frame, black mesh. Surprisingly comfortable and way more stylish than it needs to be.

  • Custom Oak Desk (40x930x2010mm)

    Handmade, heavy, and solid as a rock. Looks good and never wobbles.

Development tools

  • PhpStorm

    My go-to editor. Handles large projects without choking and has all the smart features I actually use.

  • Terminal with custom aliases

    Faster than any UI. I’ve got it wired with aliases to do exactly what I need.

  • TablePlus

    Clean, fast, and way better than building admin UIs for one-off queries.

  • Tower

    Git GUI that doesn’t get in the way. Makes branching and rebasing painless.

  • Postman

    For testing APIs quickly and saving useful calls. Still better than most alternatives.

  • Docker

    Standardized dev environments without the mess. It just works.

Design

  • Figma

    Mostly for basic stuff—mockups, quick visuals. Gets the job done.

Productivity

  • Notion

    Where all my thinking lives. Docs, tasks, notes, and everything in between.

  • Google Calendar

    Boring but essential. Keeps the chaos somewhat structured.

  • Raycast

    Spotlight, but useful. Fast launcher, and command center.

  • Shortcuts & Automations

    Little time-savers that stack up. Makes the whole OS feel tailored.

AI tools

  • ChatGPT (Business)

    Solid all-rounder. I use it for drafts, quick answers, code cleanup, or just pressure-testing ideas.

  • OpenAI API

    Tied into scripts and tools where it actually saves time. Not just playing around.

  • n8n

    Handles a bunch of my day-to-day tasks. Scheduling, automation, API chains—it’s all wired through this.