Tools I Actually Use

My main coding partner. Handles everything from scaffolding new features to debugging obscure TypeScript errors. The context window is genuinely useful — it can hold an entire codebase in its head while I think out loud.

VS Code but with AI baked in. Tab-complete that actually understands your codebase. I use it alongside Claude Code — Cursor for quick inline edits, Claude Code for bigger architectural work.

My go-to for thinking through problems, writing, and rubber-ducking ideas. Extended thinking mode is where it shines — lets me watch the reasoning unfold before committing to a direction.

Still useful for quick searches and when I want a second opinion. The ecosystem of plugins and GPTs adds versatility, even if I reach for Claude first most days.

Deploy on push, preview URLs for every PR, zero config for Next.js. It just works. The DX is what every platform should aspire to.

Version control, CI/CD, issue tracking — the backbone of everything. Not glamorous, but I'd be lost without it.

Where layouts start before they become code. Even for a developer-designer hybrid, having a visual canvas to explore ideas beats jumping straight into CSS.

Vercel's AI component generator. Great for rapid prototyping — describe what you want, get a starting point, then make it yours. Saves hours on the initial layout.

Project planning, notes, and long-form drafts. The block-based editor makes reorganizing ideas painless. Everything starts here before it becomes a blog post or doc.

Local-first, markdown-native note-taking. I use it for quick captures, daily logs, and building a personal knowledge graph. The plugin ecosystem is wild.