My Tech Toolbox: Apps, Gear & Digital Companions
Hey there! You know how developers are - we love our tools almost as much as we love debugging other people's code (just kidding... maybe). People often ask what I use to build software, stay productive, or convince my IDE I'm not just staring at it hoping the bugs will fix themselves. So here's a complete list of my favorite gear - no stack overflow required! š
Workstation
14ā MacBook Pro, M3 Pro, 18GB RAM (2023) - My current beast for crushing code
Coming from an Intel-based 16ā MacBook Pro, this M3 Pro is a game-changer. The most impressive part? Zero fan noise even when running multiple Docker containers, heavy IDEs, and compiling large projects simultaneously. Perfect for those intense debugging sessions and running resource-heavy development environments without breaking a sweat.
Apple Pro Display XDR
For those marathon coding sessions, this 32ā 6K display is a game-changer. The exceptional color accuracy and brightness make UI design a breeze, while the massive screen real estate lets me comfortably run multiple IDEs, terminals, and documentation side by side. Perfect for those complex microservices architectures where you need to see everything at once.
Apple Magic Keyboard & Magic Mouse
As a developer who spends countless hours typing code, I swear by the Magic Keyboard's reliability and tactile feedback. The Magic Mouse's gesture support is perfect for navigating through massive codebases and switching between virtual desktops. I keep backups of both because finding the perfect dev setup is like finding a good regex - once you have it, you never want to let it go.
Herman Miller Aeron Chair
Because debugging code for 12 hours straight requires a chair that understands developers. With its perfect lumbar support and adjustable everything, it's like having a dedicated ergonomics microservice for your back. Worth every penny of my Stack Overflow reputation (if I could trade that for money).
Development tools
PHPStorm 2024.3
As a developer focused on web and Laravel development, PHPStorm by JetBrains is my go-to IDE. Itās packed with intelligent features like advanced PHP refactoring, seamless Laravel integration, built-in terminal, database tools, and Git integration. The smart code completion and debugging capabilities make it an indispensable tool for professional PHP development.
Warp - The AI-Powered Terminal
As a developer, I love how Warp reimagines the terminal experience with built-in AI assistance, team knowledge sharing, and smart workflows. Its modern features like real-time command suggestions, shareable workflows, and integrated AI help boost my productivity while keeping that classic terminal feel we all know and love.
TablePlus
A developerās best friend for database management! This GUI powerhouse handles everything from PostgreSQL to Redis with style. The clean interface and powerful features like query building, data export, and SSH tunneling make it my go-to tool. Plus, the multi-tab support is perfect for juggling different database connections during microservices development.
Design
Figma
As a developer who appreciates clean interfaces and efficient workflows, Figma has become an essential tool in my stack. While I initially used it just for reviewing UI designs, its real power lies in its collaborative features. We use it for everything from wireframing APIs to diagramming system architectures. The ability to create interactive components and share prototypes has made it invaluable for bridging the gap between design and development teams.
Productivity
Alfred - The Developer's Command Center
While there are newer launchers out there, Alfred remains the gold standard for developer productivity. With its powerful workflows, clipboard history, and lightning-fast file navigation, itās like having a command-line interface for your entire system. Perfect for running scripts, managing development tools, and automating repetitive tasks.
Notion - My Digital Brain
As a developer, Iām absolutely in love with Notion! Itās not just another note-taking app - itās my complete workspace operating system. I use it for everything from documenting API specifications and tracking bug reports to managing my personal projects and creating technical documentation.
SavvyCal - The Developer's Time Guardian
My secret weapon for protecting coding time. It intelligently manages meeting scheduling while preserving those crucial blocks for deep coding sessions. Perfect for maintaining that "in the zone" state when tackling complex algorithms or debugging sessions.
Focus - The Digital Rubber Duck
When diving deep into complex algorithms or debugging sessions, this tool acts as my digital accountability partner. It blocks distracting websites and social media, helping maintain that precious flow state where the best code is written.