A public notebook on product engineering, software, and the web.
The defining tools I have carried for years. The rest of the workflow shapes itself around them, and dropping them would mean reworking how I work.
It is the obvious choice for me because I would rather delegate those security details to a company built to handle them, and it is widely supported across the platforms I use.
A password manager I use so I do not have to think too hard about the details of account security myself.
It works out of the box, but the real reason I keep it is that I can always extend it into my own workflows when I need more.
A fast launcher that works immediately, then expands into a deeper workflow layer when I need it.
AI tools help me build deeper automation now, but Keyboard Maestro is still the fastest way to patch the day-to-day user experience of using my Mac.
A dependable macOS automation layer for the small utilities and repetitive flows I keep using.
These tools elevate the experience through specialized roles. Less central, but without them, you can feel the friction.
It opens instantly from anywhere, and AutoPasting by typing "paste" into the note makes it unusually good for combining clipboard content before I decide what should survive.
It is still my best place for lightweight notes that need sync and history, even when they are not polished enough to belong anywhere permanent yet.
It is free and fits my occasional use case well. I still prefer to type most of the time, but jotting down ideas or drafting blog posts is increasingly easier with transcription software like this.
I keep coming back to it because the design has a point of view, and that makes it a better writing environment for me than more flexible alternatives.
Native folder support is the reason I keep it, because it lets me use git for version history and keep full control over my notes.
Calendar account sync matters a lot to me, and Fantastical still has the most intuitive UX and the most refined UI in this category.
It gives me a calm and well-designed place to manage tasks without making the system feel heavier than it needs to be.
It still plays a critical role in my workflow by running scripts through files to convert, optimize, and rename images automatically.
The notch is the reason I would buy Bartender again. Its floating bar keeps hidden menu bar items easy to reach.
It solves the friction of using separate browsers for different kinds of work by letting me route links based on the source app or the web address.
I often work across time zones, so late-night sessions are normal for me, and this app has stayed with me for more than ten years because it keeps that sustainable.
It stays as the simpler free option. If I have enough horizontal space, Hidden Bar is usually enough, and I do not need Bartender's more advanced ways of surfacing hidden items.
The best way I have found to manage default apps on macOS with more control than the system allows.
The import and export support for native app settings is the part I find most useful, because it makes it easier to preserve and move app configuration without custom scripts.
I have looked at alternatives, but CleanShot X is still the most reliable one I use, and the overall experience is hard to replace.
It scored exceptionally well on the privacy benchmarks I used when evaluating VPNs, and WireGuard support matters enough to me that it narrows the field quickly.
It covers a wide range of image editing work for me, especially when I want something fast, capable, and lightweight.