Tools That Power My Day

Introduction

As a developer working on macOS, the right set of tools can make all the difference between a productive day and a frustrating one. Over the years, I’ve curated a toolkit that not only streamlines my workflow but also makes my daily routine genuinely enjoyable. Here’s a look at the essential apps and utilities that power my day.

My Essential Tools

  • PHPStorm – My primary editor. It’s where most of my work happens, from writing code to debugging and everything in between.
  • CleanShot – For capturing and annotating screenshots with ease.
  • Chrome & Arc – My browsers of choice for development and research.
  • Dolphin {anty} – Multiple browsers. (Could be logged in the same app with different users. Handy when I am debugging.).
  • Raycast – The real game-changer. More on this below.
  • Warp – My terminal of choice, especially when I need a modern, fast CLI experience.
  • Screen Studio & Presentify – My secret weapon for making quick explainer videos or PR walkthroughs.
  • OBS – For more advanced screen recording needs.
  • TablePlus – My go-to for browsing and managing MySQL and ClickHouse databases.
  • Tinkerwell – For running PHP code snippets and experimenting quickly.
  • RunJS – A JavaScript playground for quick tests.
  • Raycast Focus – Helps me stay in the zone.
  • Cursor & Claude Code – For AI-powered coding assistance.
  • Docker – Ensures my local environment matches production as closely as possible.
  • Raycast Notes – For jotting down quick ideas.
  • Git Tower – Great for visualizing git history, but I still love the command line for most git operations.
  • Spotify (Instrumentals) – My soundtrack for focus and flow.

Why I Love Raycast

Raycast has completely changed the way I interact with my Mac. With extensions for virtually all my apps and AI available at the press of a button, it’s become the central hub for my workflow. Whether I’m launching apps, searching files, or running custom scripts, Raycast makes everything faster and more intuitive.

Hidden Gem: Presentify

If you ever need to make quick videos for PRs or explainers, Presentify is a gem. It lets me annotate my screen in real-time, making my recordings much clearer and more engaging. It’s one of those tools I wish I’d discovered sooner.

Recent Discoveries I Can’t Live Without

Raycast is the standout here. Since I started using it, my productivity has noticeably improved. It’s not just an app launcher—it’s a workflow enhancer.

GUI vs. Command Line

I use TablePlus for browsing and managing databases—primarily MySQL and ClickHouse. For git, I prefer the command line (like a true cave man), but Git Tower is great for visualizing complex histories. Warp is especially helpful when I get stuck or need a more modern CLI experience.

Raycast Extensions & Custom Scripts

One of my favorite things about Raycast is the ability to create custom scripts. I have a script that prepares my code environment: it checks out the correct branch and does some plumbing based on my JIRA ticket. This automation saves me time and mental energy every day.

Staying Focused

To stay in the zone, I rely on Raycast Focus and instrumental playlists on Spotify. This combo helps me block out distractions and maintain deep focus during coding sessions.

If I Could Only Keep Three Tools

If I had to choose just three tools from my list, they would be:

  1. PHPStorm – It’s my primary editor and the heart of my workflow.
  2. Raycast Focus – It fundamentally improves the way I interact with my Mac and helps me stay productive.
  3. Docker – It ensures my development environment is as close to production as possible, reducing surprises during deployment.

Final Thoughts

The right tools don’t just make you more productive—they make your work more enjoyable. These are the apps and utilities that power my day as a developer on macOS. If you’re looking to optimize your own workflow, I highly recommend giving some of these a try. Who knows, you might discover a new favorite!