From productivity tools to software essentials (and maybe a few impulse buys that just look productive) - here's everything I actually use and recommend. Consider this my ultimate setup list.
Workstation
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MacBook Pro M4
My development powerhouse that redefined what portable performance means. The M4 chip handles everything I throw at it - from running multiple Docker containers to having VS Code open with fifty tabs while streaming music. But the real game-changer? The battery life that lets me code all day without hunting for outlets like some kind of digital nomad vampire. It's so efficient and quiet that I sometimes forget it's even running - just me, my laptop, and the occasional frustrated sigh.
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Logitech MX Master 3S
The productivity mouse that makes me feel like a wizard navigating through code. The electromagnetic scrolling is so smooth it's almost therapeutic - perfect for scrolling through those never-ending log files. The customizable buttons and gestures have become second nature, and the fact that it lasts forever on a single charge means I'm never caught with a dead mouse mid-debugging session. Plus, switching between devices is seamless when I need to jump between my MacBook and other setups.
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AirPods Max
My noise-canceling cocoon that transforms any environment into a focus zone. When I need to dive deep into complex problem-solving or tune out the world during intense coding sessions, these are my go-to. The spatial audio makes debugging feel cinematic, and the build quality means they're built to survive my habit of unconsciously adjusting them when I'm thinking through a particularly tricky algorithm.
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AirPods Pro 2
My travel companions that make commuting and coffee shop coding sessions actually enjoyable. The seamless switching between devices means I can take a call on my phone and immediately jump back to debugging on my MacBook without missing a beat. They're clutch when I need to step away from my desk but don't want to lose my train of thought.
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Apple Watch Series 10
My productivity wingman that keeps me honest about time management and health. The time blocking features help me stay focused during coding sprints, while gentle reminders to stand and breathe keep me from turning into a desk zombie. It's also my reality check for "just five more minutes" moments that somehow turn into three hours - now I actually notice when that happens! Leaving my phone in another room while staying connected has been a game-changer too.
Development tools
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Visual Studio Code
My coding BFF that practically reads my mind at this point. The integrated terminal is my command hub, Git integration keeps my commits clean, and the extensions? Let's just say I've never met a problem I couldn't solve with "Ctrl+Shift+X". Plus, IntelliSense catches my typos before they become 3 AM debugging sessions!
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Excalidraw
Where my messy thoughts turn into clean diagrams. When words fail, I fire this up and start drawing boxes and arrows until things make sense. It's like having a whiteboard that fits in your pocket - minus the marker stains on your hands!
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Postman
My favorite tool for sweet-talking APIs. Whether I'm testing endpoints or documenting them, Postman's got my back. Collections feature is like having a neat filing cabinet for all my API chaos - except it actually makes sense!
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GitHub Desktop
For when I want to manage my repositories without feeling like I'm decoding the Matrix. Makes branching and merging feel less like surgery and more like playing with Legos. Perfect for those "oh no, what did I just commit?" moments.
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Chrome DevTools
My detective kit for when websites misbehave. The performance tools help me figure out why things are running slower than my morning brain, and the network tab shows me where all those mysterious requests are going. Console.log is still my best friend though!
Design
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Figma
My digital canvas where ideas come to life! It's like Google Docs for design - minus the accidental 3 AM edit notifications. The plugins are like tiny design superheroes - there's one for every "I wish I could..." moment. And yes, I spend way too much time picking between fonts that look exactly the same.
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Adobe Creative Cloud
The grandmother of all design tools that still schools the youngsters. Photoshop for those "can you remove the background?" requests from family, and Illustrator for when I need vectors so clean they make other designers cry. Worth every penny of my ramen noodle budget!
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Coolors
For when my brain says "make it pop" but forgets to specify how. Hit the spacebar until something looks good - it's like Tinder for color palettes! Saved me from countless "is this too blue?" existential crises.
Productivity
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Notion
My life's operating system! It's where my to-do lists breed more to-do lists and where I pretend I'm super organized. Half journal, half project manager, half knowledge base... yes, that's three halves, and somehow Notion makes it work. The perfect place for both my million-dollar ideas and my grocery lists.
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Apple Notes
My lightning-fast capture tool for when inspiration strikes and Notion is being... well, Notion-slow. It's where all my random thoughts land first - from sudden project ideas to "don't forget to buy bread" reminders. The notes widget on my iPhone means I can see my to-dos on the go without opening apps, and everything syncs instantly across devices. Think of it as my inbox before things graduate to Notion's organized chaos. Sometimes the best ideas come when you're not at your desk, and Apple Notes makes sure none of them slip away.
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Undistracted
Because apparently, I can't be trusted with YouTube's suggested videos. Turns social media from an endless rabbit hole into actually useful tools. It's like having a responsible adult standing between me and that "just one more video" spiral. Thanks to this, I occasionally get work done!