Tools & Setup

The AI productivity tools, apps, and systems I use to work, create, and build in public.

This is a living document—I'll update it as my stack evolves. Last updated: January 2026.

AI & Development

What I use it for:

AI-assisted coding, website development, and personal knowledge management

Why I chose it:

Best balance of coding capability and natural language understanding. Can access my local file system, making it perfect for Obsidian integration.

What I use it for:

Primary code editor for all development work

Why I chose it:

Industry standard, excellent extensions, Git integration, and highly customizable.

What I use it for:

Version control and open-source collaboration

Why I chose it:

Industry standard. All my projects live here.

What I use it for:

Hosting and deployment for Next.js sites (including this one)

Why I chose it:

Instant deployments, great developer experience, free tier for personal projects.

What I use it for:

React framework powering this website

Why I chose it:

Server-side rendering, great DX, built-in optimizations.

What I use it for:

Domain registration and DNS management

Why I chose it:

Simple domain management interface.

Personal Knowledge Management

What I use it for:

My second brain. All notes, journal entries, and life documentation live here.

Why I chose it:

Local-first (my data stays with me), markdown-based (AI-friendly), infinitely customizable, integrates with Claude Code.

What I use it for:

Team collaboration, databases, and lightweight project management

Why I chose it:

Best-in-class database features and team sharing. Previously powered this website via Super.so before I migrated to Next.js.

Apple Notes
What I use it for:

Quick capture on the go, ephemeral thoughts that don't need structure

Why I chose it:

Frictionless. Opens instantly, syncs perfectly across Apple devices.

Hardware & Health

MacBook Pro M4 Max
What I use it for:

Primary development machine

Why I chose it:

Powerful performance for development work, excellent battery life, seamless Apple ecosystem integration.

What I use it for:

Spatial computing experiments, productivity workflows, and immersive focus sessions

Why I chose it:

I work on this product, but I also genuinely use it for productivity. Best mixed reality headset available.

What I use it for:

Spatial computing with tight Apple ecosystem integration

Why I chose it:

Seamless integration with my MacBook, iPhone, and other Apple devices. Premium spatial computing experience.

iPhone 15 Pro Max
What I use it for:

Mobile device for communication and quick capture

Why I chose it:

Best camera system, reliable performance, deep integration with my other Apple devices.

AirPods Pro 3
What I use it for:

Wireless earbuds for focus work

Why I chose it:

Excellent noise cancellation, seamless device switching, comfortable for all-day wear.

What I use it for:

Fitness tracking, recovery monitoring, and sleep optimization

Why I chose it:

Comprehensive health data that helps me optimize my daily routines and work performance.

What I use it for:

Temperature-controlled sleep for better rest and recovery

Why I chose it:

Sleep quality directly impacts productivity. The temperature control makes a significant difference.

Content Creation

This Website
What I use it for:

Publishing my blog, portfolio, and experiments

Why I chose it:

Migrated from Notion + Super.so for more control, better performance, and SEO. Built entirely using vibe coding with Claude Code. Tech stack: Next.js 15, TypeScript, Tailwind CSS, deployed on Vercel.

What I use it for:

Email newsletter (The Degenerate)

Why I chose it:

Built-in email infrastructure, reader discovery features, simple to use.

Personal Finance

What I use it for:

Comprehensive personal finance dashboard for budgets, transactions, and investments

Why I chose it:

All-in-one view of my financial life. Clean interface, powerful tracking.

Want to See How I Use These Tools?

I document my experiments with these tools every week in The Degenerate.

You'll get:

  • Setup guides and configuration tips
  • Real workflows and use cases
  • Honest reviews (what works, what doesn't)
  • Early access to templates and starter kits

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