Best tools I use as a web developer

OCTOBER 2025 • 6 MIN READ

Productivity isn't about typing faster; it's about removing friction. Over the last three years, I've refined my development environment to be as invisible as possible, allowing me to focus purely on problem-solving. Here is my current stack.

1. The Editor: VS Code

It's the industry standard for a reason. But unmodified VS Code is just a text editor. It becomes a superpower with the right extensions.

ESLint & Prettier: I don't argue about code style. I let the computer fix it on save.
Tailwind CSS IntelliSense: A must-have. It gives you autocomplete for classes and shows you the actual CSS color when you hover.
GitLens: Shows you who wrote that buggy line of code (usually it was you, two weeks ago).
Import Cost: Shows the size of the package you just imported right in the editor. Keeps me mindful of bundle bloat.

2. The Browser

I develop in Chrome, but I test in everything.

React Developer Tools: Essential for debugging component hierarchies and inspecting props/state.
Lighthouse: I run this obsessively. If a site doesn't score 90+ on performance/SEO, it doesn't ship.
Responsively App: A dedicated browser that shows your site on multiple device sizes (iPhone, iPad, Laptop) side-by-side simultaneously. Great for CSS debugging.

3. Design & 3D

Figma is where everything starts. I don't write a single line of layout code until I've mocked it up in Figma. It saves hours of "pixel-pushing" in CSS.

For 3D work (like my portfolio), use Blender. It has a steep learning curve but is free and incredibly powerful. For simpler web-based 3D scene composition, Spline is a fantastic new tool that runs in the browser.

4. Mental Tools

Tools aren't just software.

Notion: My second brain. Every task, idea, and learning resource goes here.
Linear: For issue tracking. It's much faster and cleaner than Jira.
The 20-minute Rule: If I'm stuck on a bug for 20 minutes, I step away. I go for a walk. The solution usually hits me when I'm not looking at the screen.

Conclusion

The best tool is the one you know how to use. Don't spend weeks configuring your terminal. Pick a set of solid tools, master their shortcuts, and get to work.