Software I use, gadgets I love, and other things I recommend.
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.
Workstation
16” MacBook Pro, M1 Max, 64GB RAM (2021)
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 launch simulations.
Apple Pro Display XDR (Standard Glass)
The only display on the market if you want something HiDPI and bigger than 27”. When you’re working at planetary scale, every pixel you can get counts.
MX Master 3S for Mac
The MX Master 3S's precision and customizable buttons make it an absolute joy to use. The silent clicks and smooth scrolling are perfect for both work and casual browsing. powers.
Development tools
PhpStorm
A powerful PHP IDE that makes development a breeze with its intelligent code completion, real-time error detection, and seamless debugging capabilities. The refactoring tools and database integration are particularly impressive.
iTerm2
I’m honestly not even sure what features I get with this that aren’t just part of the macOS Terminal but it’s what I use.
TablePlus
Great software for working with databases. Has saved me from building about a thousand admin interfaces for my various projects over the years.
Design
Figma
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.
Productivity
Raycast
A lightning-fast launcher that's become my command center for everything. From launching apps to managing windows, searching files, and running custom scripts - it's transformed how I interact with my Workstation.
Obsidian
Obsidian's daily notes system has revolutionized my note-taking workflow. Instead of rigid topic-based organization, I capture everything in daily notes and use Obsidian's powerful linking and tagging features to maintain discoverability. The graph view and search capabilities make it effortless to find and connect related thoughts across time.
SavvyCal
Great tool for scheduling meetings while protecting my calendar and making sure I still have lots of time for deep work during the week.
Raycast Focus
Simple tool for blocking distracting websites when I need to just do the work and get some momentum going.