Uses / Setup / Daily tools

The current hardware, software, and AI stack behind how I work.

This page is no longer a generic setup list. It reflects the machine I am actually using right now, the apps I keep installed, and the tools that shape the way I build.

Some of these are daily dependencies. Some are experimentation tools. Together they are the real stack behind the work, from Laravel development to writing, browser checks, communication, and deciding when AI should retrieve, generate, or stay out of the way.

Development

Tools I reach for when building

  • Visual Studio Code

    Still the editor I trust most for day-to-day Laravel work.

  • Warp

    My main terminal right now, especially when I want a cleaner command workflow.

  • Herd

    Local Laravel development is much easier when the machine setup stays boring in a good way.

  • TablePlus + Sequel Ace

    Both stay installed. TablePlus for the heavier database work, Sequel Ace when I want something lighter.

  • Tinkerwell

    Still one of the easiest ways to test Laravel ideas quickly without turning everything into a route or command.

  • Postman + GitButler

    API checks and Git workflow cleanup without unnecessary friction.

Browsers

What stays open while I work

  • Arc

    The browser I come back to most often for daily work and focused sessions.

  • Dia

    Part of the current browser rotation, especially while testing newer workflows.

  • Safari

    Still important for native-feeling checks and quick sanity passes on macOS.

  • Google Chrome + Zen

    Chrome for compatibility checks, Zen when I want a quieter browsing environment.

AI + Product Thinking

The software around the engineering and AI work

  • Codex, Cursor, Claude, OpenCode

    Different tools for different moments: implementation, review passes, architecture exploration, and shaping AI-assisted product workflows.

  • Bear + Notion + Notion Calendar

    Where product thinking, feature outlines, prompt notes, and planning live before they become code.

  • MacWhisper + Maccy + Rectangle

    Small utility software that quietly improves voice capture, context reuse, and the overall pace of longer AI-heavy work sessions.

Communication

Apps that stay around because work is collaborative

  • Slack + Discord + Microsoft Teams

    Where most team conversations and async coordination end up happening.

  • WhatsApp + Outlook + Loom

    Client communication, calendar-heavy workflows, and recorded walkthroughs when text is not enough.

  • Figma + Spotify

    One for interface review and collaboration, one for getting through longer build sessions.

Installed on this Mac right now

The full app list I currently keep around.

This is the current software snapshot pulled from the applications installed on this machine. It is more literal than the curated categories above.

  • Arc
  • Bear
  • Claude
  • Codex
  • Cursor
  • Dia
  • Discord
  • Figma
  • GitButler
  • Google Chrome
  • Herd
  • Loom
  • MacWhisper
  • Maccy
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft Teams
  • Notion
  • Notion Calendar
  • Numbers
  • OpenCode
  • Postman
  • Rectangle
  • Safari
  • Sequel Ace
  • Slack
  • Solo
  • Sourcetree
  • Spotify
  • TablePlus
  • Tinkerwell
  • Visual Studio Code
  • Warp
  • WhatsApp
  • Xcode
  • Zed
  • Zen