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)

    Previously, I was using an Intel-based 16" MacBook Pro, and the difference now is like night and day. I've never heard the fans turn on a single time, even under the incredibly heavy loads I put it through on a daily basis while developing with Laravel and PHP.

  • LG 40WP95C-W

    An ultrawide monitor is a must for me. I've tried using multiple 4K monitors, but I always end up coming back to an ultrawide. I love the extra screen real estate and the ability to have multiple windows open side-by-side without bezels getting in the way.

  • Logitech MX Master 3S

    Hands down, the MX Master 3S is the best mouse I've ever used. I've tried many other so-called ergonomic mice, but none of them have come close to the comfort and ease of use of the MX Master 3S. It also looks great alongside my keyboard.

  • Logitech MX Mechanical Wireless Keyboard (Mini)

    The MX Mechanical Wireless Keyboard is a high-quality mechanical keyboard without the wires and the price tag of an enthusiast keyboard. I love the feel and sound of the keys, as well as the backlighting. It also looks excellent on my desk, always a bonus.

  • Herman Miller Aeron Chair

    I've had my fair share of cheap and expensive chairs over the years, and this is the only one that has lasted more than a few years without falling apart or causing me back pain after extended periods of sitting and slouching in it like a slob.

  • Oakywood Standing Desk (Walnut)

    I have a standing desk with a beautiful walnut top. I love the look and feel of the wood, and the motor is incredibly quiet. Additionally, I appreciate that it has a memory function, allowing me to switch between my standing and sitting heights.

Development

  • Zed

    I've recently replaced Sublime Text 4 with Zed as my primary code editor. I'm really enjoying the simplicity and speed of the editor, as well as the fact that it's written in Rust. Sublime Text 4 remains my backup editor for when Zed is missing some features.

  • Visual Studio Code

    VS Code is my go-to editor for working on anything that involves JavaScript or TypeScript. I've tried to switch to other editors, but I always end up coming back to VS Code for its tight integration with TypeScript and the extensive ecosystem of plugins.

  • PHPStorm

    PHPStorm is my sledgehammer for legacy PHP codebases. I've yet to find a codebase that it can't handle. It's a powerhouse for refactoring these codebases into something more modern and maintainable without breaking everything.

  • Tinkerwell

    Tinkerwell is treated as my REPL and whiteboard for PHP. I use it to test out ideas and debug code in a way that feels more natural than using a debugger. Additionally, I use it to run ad-hoc database queries and migrations.

  • TablePlus

    TablePlus is a great software for working with databases. It has saved me from many headaches over the years. I've tried numerous other tools, but I always end up coming back to TablePlus for its consistent UI and excellent keyboard shortcuts for everything.

  • Postman

    Postman simplifies the development of APIs and collaboration with others. The ease of sharing requests and collections with others is a huge time saver. I also use it to test out ideas for API designs to see how they would work before I start implementing them.

  • Laravel Herd

    Herd is a blazingly fast, native Laravel and PHP development environment for macOS. It includes everything you need to get started with Laravel development, including PHP and nginx. Once you install Herd, you're ready to start developing with Laravel.

  • DBngin

    DBngin saves me from having to install and configure MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, and Redis on my local machine, and eliminates the need to fight Homebrew on every upgrade. It's a simple, native macOS app that allows me to manage these services.

Productivity

  • Raycast

    Raycast is a productivity tool that allows me to quickly access my most-used apps and actions with a few keystrokes. I use it to open apps swiftly, search my calendar, and run scripts. It's a massive time saver for me. I can't imagine using a Mac without it.

  • CleanShot X

    I use CleanShot X to take screenshots and screen recordings. It's the best tool I've found for this purpose. I love the ability to quickly annotate screenshots, as well as the capability to record my screen and webcam simultaneously, exporting them quickly.