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.
Frontend
React
A JavaScript library developed by Facebook for building user interfaces
React Native
A JavaScript framework for building native mobile apps.
Typescript
Provides several advantages in application-building, including the option of simpler React components and better JavaScript XML (JSX) support for static type validation.
Python
An interpreted, high-level, general-purpose programming language.
HTML
The standard markup language for creating web pages and web
CSS
A style sheet language used for describing the presentation of a document written in a markup language like HTML
Redux
A predictable state container for JavaScript apps
SCSS
A style sheet language used for describing the presentation of a document written in a markup language like HTML but in a more powerful way.
Backend
Node
A JavaScript runtime built on Chrome's V8 JavaScript engine.
Express
A minimal and flexible Node.js web application framework that provides a robust set of features for web and mobile applications.
Database
DynamoDB (NoSQL)
A key-value and document database that delivers single-digit millisecond performance at any scale.
Postgres (SQL)
A powerful, open source object-relational database system with over 30 years of active development that has earned it a strong reputation for reliability, feature robustness, and performance.
DevOps
Serverless Framework (FaaS)
A free and open-source web framework written using Node.js. It is designed to build scalable applications, with a focus on serverless, microservices and distributed systems.
Docker
A set of platform as a service (PaaS) products that use OS-level virtualization to deliver software in packages called containers.
Kubernetes
An open-source system for automating deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications.
Other
Git
A distributed version-control system for tracking changes in source code during software development.
Amazon Web Services
A comprehensive, evolving cloud computing platform; it provides a suite of cloud-computing services that make up an on-demand computing platform.
Google Cloud Platform
A suite of cloud computing services that runs on the same infrastructure that Google uses internally for its end-user products, such as Google Search and YouTube.
Netlify
A cloud computing company that offers hosting and serverless backend services for static websites.
Strapi
A free and open-source headless CMS delivering your content anywhere you need.
Auth0
A cloud-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform for authentication and authorization.
Stripe
A suite of payment APIs that powers commerce for online businesses of all sizes, including fraud prevention, and subscription management.
Storybook
An open source tool for developing UI components in isolation.
Jest
A delightful JavaScript Testing Framework with a focus on simplicity.
Testing Library
Simple and complete testing utilities that encourage good testing practices.
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.
IBM Model M SSK Industrial Keyboard
They don’t make keyboards the way they used to. I buy these any time I see them go up for sale and keep them in storage in case I need parts or need to retire my main.
Apple Magic Trackpad
Something about all the gestures makes me feel like a wizard with special powers. I really like feeling like a wizard with special powers.
Herman Miller Aeron Chair
If I’m going to slouch in the worst ergonomic position imaginable all day, I might as well do it in an expensive chair.
Development tools
VS Code
Was using ATOM until it hit the end of support... so this is a good alternative.
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.