My Setup and Tools

Welcome to my personal toolkit! This page details the hardware, software, and tools I rely on daily for development, productivity, and creative work. I’ve carefully curated these recommendations based on years of hands-on experience.

🖥️ Workstation

MacBook Pro 14” (2024)

• Specs: M4 Max, 128GB RAM, 2TB SSD
• Why I love it: The perfect balance of power and portability. The M4 chip handles everything from heavy IDE loads to multiple Docker containers without breaking a sweat. The Liquid Retina XDR display makes coding and design work a joy.
• Best for: Software development, content creation, and professional workflows
• Price: $3,199 (base model)

DROP ALT Mechanical Keyboard

• Current Setup: Gateron Brown switches with PBT keycaps
• Key Features: Hot-swappable switches, per-key RGB, USB-C passthrough
• Why I chose it: The satisfying tactile feedback dramatically improves typing accuracy and comfort during long coding sessions. The compact 65% layout keeps my desk minimal while retaining essential keys.
• Price: $180-230 depending on configuration

Logitech MX Master 3

• Key Features: Ergonomic design, customizable buttons, Darkfield tracking
• Why it’s essential: The thumb rest and ergonomic shape prevent wrist strain during long work sessions. The horizontal scroll wheel is invaluable for timeline editing and spreadsheets.
• Price: $99

📱 Mobile Setup

iPhone 16 Pro

• Storage: 512GB
• Use Cases:
  • Development: Testing mobile-responsive designs
  • Productivity: Quick email triage and calendar management
  • Photography: Capturing reference shots for design work
• Key Apps: Notion Calendar, Superhuman, GitHub Mobile

🛠️ Development Environment

VS Code

• Theme: GitHub Dark
• Essential Extensions:
  • GitLens (Git supercharged)
  • Prettier (Code formatting)
  • ESLint (JavaScript linting)
  • Docker (Container management)
  • REST Client (API testing)

Alacritty Terminal

• Configuration: GPU-accelerated, custom key bindings
• Color Scheme: Dracula
• Shell: Fish with Starship prompt
• Why I switched from iTerm2: Noticeably faster rendering, especially with large log outputs
• dotfiles: Link to my terminal configs

🚀 Productivity Suite

Raycast

• Replaces: Spotlight and Alfred
• Favorite Features:
  • Window management
  • Clipboard history
  • Custom scripts for development workflows
  • Quick calculator and unit conversion
• Must-Have Extensions:
  • DevDocs integration
  • GitHub pull requests
  • Notion quick add

Superhuman

• Email Philosophy: Inbox Zero
• Key Shortcuts:
  • Cmd + K: Command palette
  • Cmd + Shift + U: Mark as unread
  • Cmd + Enter: Send
• Why It’s Worth $30/month: The combination of keyboard shortcuts, AI-powered triage, and instant search saves me 2-3 hours weekly. It’s still incredibly expensive for an email client, but so far the time savings are worth it.

Notion Calendar

• Integration: Syncs with Google Calendar
• Best Features:
  • Meeting templates
  • Automatic time blocking
  • Task integration with Notion workspaces
• How I Use It: Planning sprints, tracking deadlines, and managing meeting notes

💰 Cost Breakdown

Here’s a transparent look at my monthly software costs:

Tool	Monthly Cost
Superhuman	$30
VS Code	Free
Raycast	Free
Total	$30

🔄 Previous Setups

I believe in documenting tool changes to help others make informed decisions:

2024

• Switched from M2 Pro to M4 Pro

2022

• Switched from Intel MacBook to M1 Pro
• Replaced Alfred with Raycast
• Moved from iTerm2 to Alacritty

2021

• Switched from Chrome to Firefox, then back to Chrome
• Replaced Apple Mail with Superhuman
• Upgraded from MX Master 2S to 3

📝 Notes

• All recommendations are based on personal experience
• Prices are accurate as of November 2024
• No affiliate links or sponsored recommendations

Last updated: November 24, 2024