The Tools I Use to Code Every Day (and Why You Might Love Them Too)

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When you’re just starting out in coding, the sheer number of tools and setups people mention can feel overwhelming. VS Code? Git? Terminal? Frameworks? What even is linting?

So today, I’m breaking it down.

Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the tools I personally use to code every day, why I love them, and how they might make your own coding experience easier, smoother, and honestly—more fun.

🧠 1. Visual Studio Code (VS Code)

My main code editor (aka my second home)

Why I use it:
It’s free, lightweight, fast, and customizable. VS Code just gets developers. Whether you’re working with HTML/CSS, JavaScript, PHP, or Flutter—there’s an extension for everything.

My favorite extensions:

  • Prettier – automatic code formatting
  • ESLint – code linting and error catching
  • GitLens – see who changed what in your code
  • Tailwind CSS IntelliSense – autocomplete for Tailwind classes

Bonus: Built-in terminal, Git integration, and themes like Dracula or One Dark Pro make it visually satisfying to work with.

💻 2. Terminal (iTerm2 / Default Mac Terminal)

Where the magic happens under the hood

Even if you’re a beginner, learning basic terminal commands is a game changer. It’s how I:

  • Navigate folders quickly
  • Run local dev servers
  • Use Git
  • Install packages with npm, composer, or flutter

Tip: Start with simple commands like cd, ls, and mkdir, then build up confidence.

🔄 3. Git + GitHub

Your version control safety net

Version control is like a time machine for your code. I use Git to track changes and GitHub to store and share code online.

Every project I build goes into a GitHub repo. It helps me:

  • Track my progress
  • Collaborate with others
  • Showcase my work publicly

Bonus: GitHub is also a free portfolio!

🎨 4. Figma

For UI planning, prototyping, and copying pixel-perfect designs

Whether I’m building a frontend or a full-stack app, I use Figma to:

  • Sketch layouts before coding
  • Export icons and assets
  • Copy exact spacing, fonts, and colors from designs

No design skills? No problem. Start by duplicating free Figma templates and building them with HTML/CSS.

🧰 5. Frameworks and Libraries

My current favorites

Depending on the project, I reach for:

  • React (JS): For building responsive web apps
  • Laravel (PHP): For backend APIs and full-stack apps
  • Flutter (Dart): For cross-platform mobile apps
  • TailwindCSS: For fast, beautiful UI without writing custom CSS

The key is to start with one, learn it well, and slowly add tools to your stack.

✅ 6. Productivity Helpers

A few bonus tools I use regularly:

  • Notion – for notes, planning, and content ideas
  • Raycast or Alfred – supercharge your Mac workflow
  • Postman or Thunder Client – for testing APIs

Final Thoughts

You don’t need all these tools on day one. The goal isn’t to collect tools—it’s to use the ones that help you stay productive and focused.

Start with VS Code and Git. As you build more projects, your toolset will grow naturally.

Want me to create a free “Starter Dev Toolkit Checklist” you can download? Or maybe a YouTube breakdown showing how I use each tool in action?

Let me know—and let’s keep coding!