David

My Tools and Setup

4 min read
ProductivityToolsSetup

The right tools can make all the difference in productivity and workflow. Here's a comprehensive look at the hardware and software I use daily to build products, collaborate with teams, and stay organized.

The Setup

MacBook Pro M1 15" Grey

My primary development machine. The M1 chip provides incredible performance for development work, running multiple applications simultaneously, and handling demanding tasks with ease. The 15" screen gives me plenty of real estate for code, documentation, and design work.

Software & Tools

I've carefully curated my software stack over the years to optimize for productivity, development efficiency, and seamless collaboration.

Productivity & Workflow

Alfred - My command center for macOS. Alfred replaces Spotlight and adds powerful workflows, clipboard history, and custom actions that save me hours every week.

Rectangle - Window management made simple. Keyboard shortcuts to snap windows to different positions and sizes, essential for multitasking on a single screen.

Things 3 - My task management system. Beautiful, intuitive, and powerful enough to handle complex projects while staying out of the way for quick captures.

1Password - Security without friction. All my passwords, API keys, and sensitive information securely stored and accessible across devices.

Development

VSCode - My code editor of choice. Extensive extension ecosystem, great Git integration, and excellent TypeScript support make it perfect for modern web development.

Antigravity - AI-powered coding assistant that helps me write better code faster, debug issues, and explore new technologies.

Knowledge & Collaboration

Obsidian - My second brain. Markdown-based note-taking with powerful linking and graph views for building a personal knowledge base.

Google Workspace - Email, calendar, docs, and sheets. The collaboration features are unmatched for team work.

Miro - Digital whiteboarding for brainstorming, planning, and visual collaboration with teams.

Project Management

Linear - Issue tracking and project management that's fast, beautiful, and built for modern software teams.

AI & Automation

Gemini - Google's AI assistant for research, writing assistance, and exploring ideas.

Browsers

Firefox - My primary browser. Privacy-focused, fast, and excellent developer tools.

Entertainment

Spotify - Music for focus, energy, and relaxation. Curated playlists keep me in the zone during deep work sessions.

Why These Tools?

I've chosen each tool intentionally based on:

  • Productivity Impact: Does it save time or improve output quality?
  • User Experience: Is it enjoyable to use daily?
  • Integration: Does it work well with my other tools?
  • Reliability: Can I depend on it for critical work?

The best tool is the one you'll actually use. I regularly evaluate my stack and make changes when something isn't serving me well.

Continuous Evolution

My setup evolves as new tools emerge and my needs change. I'm always experimenting with new productivity apps, development tools, and workflows to find what works best.

What tools do you swear by? I'd love to hear about your setup!