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 big list of all of my favorite stuff.
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 single time, even under the incredibly heavy loads I put it through with our various build processes.
The only display on the market if you want something HiDPI and bigger than 27". When you spend most of your day looking at a screen, it's worth investing in a good one.
A reliable keyboard with great key travel. The integration with macOS is seamless and the battery life is exceptional.
Something about all the gestures makes me feel like a wizard with special powers. I really like feeling like a wizard with special powers.
I don't care if it's mass-market, VS Code is a great editor. The extension ecosystem is unmatched and the built-in Git integration is fantastic.
A powerful terminal emulator for macOS. Split panes, search, and autocomplete make it indispensable for daily development work.
Great software for working with databases. Has saved me from mass-Loss-ing data more times than I can count.
We started using Figma as just a design tool but now it's become our virtual whiteboard for the entire company. Never would have expected the collaboration features to be the real hook.
It's not the newest kid on the block but it's still the fastest. The productivity gains from using keyboard shortcuts for everything are immense.
Using a daily notes system instead of trying to keep things organized by topics has been super powerful for me. And with Notion's linking features, I can still connect related ideas together.
I can't imagine going back to memorizing passwords or using the same one everywhere. The browser integration and secure sharing features are essential.
