Uses
The tools, software, and systems I rely on to learn, build, and publish.
I keep my setup intentionally simple — I care less about using the newest tool than finding software that disappears into the background so I can focus on thinking, building, and writing. These are the tools I use every day, and why I keep coming back to them.
Development
Next.js
The framework behind this site, utilizing App Router, static generation, and Edge Functions. It strikes a good balance between flexibility and convention, so I spend time on product problems instead of tooling.
TypeScript
I like software that fails early. TypeScript catches mistakes before they become bugs and makes revisiting old code far less painful.
Tailwind CSS
I think in layouts more than components. Tailwind keeps styling close to the markup, so I can iterate without constantly switching context.
pnpm
Fast, predictable, efficient. Once I switched from npm, I never had a reason to switch back.
Editor / IDE
Cursor, with AI enabled. I don't use it to generate entire applications; instead, I use it to explore unfamiliar codebases, automate repetitive tasks, and stay in flow while building.
Terminal
Ghostty + zsh. Fast, clean, and out of the way.
Writing & Research
This is where I spend most of my time. The workflow usually looks like:
ChatGPT
The tool I use most for exploring ideas and testing assumptions, helping rough questions become clearer questions.
Gemini Deep Research
When a topic deserves more than a conversation, I use Deep Research to gather sources, compare viewpoints, and build a structured foundation before I start writing.
Claude
My preferred editor for long-form writing. I use it to sharpen structure, pressure-test weak arguments, and make technical ideas easier to follow.
MDX
Everything I write lives in plain Markdown, extended with React components where needed. Files are version-controlled in Git, decoupled from any CMS, ensuring my work outlives any framework.
Notes
Still evolving. I'm experimenting with a lightweight personal knowledge system that prioritizes writing over collecting. The goal isn't to save everything; it is to understand enough to explain it in my own words.
Hosting & Infrastructure
Vercel
Deployments should be boring. Push to Git, wait a few seconds, the site is live.
GitHub
Every article, project, and research report starts here. Version control isn't just for code; it tracks the history of how ideas evolve.
Cloudflare
DNS, caching, and a little extra speed everywhere.
Philosophy
People often ask about tools, but the biggest improvements rarely come from switching software. They come from building better habits. The tools I keep are the ones that help me think more clearly, reduce friction, and let me spend more time solving problems than managing software.
Principles
Boring tools over trendy tools.
I optimize for reliability, not novelty.
Plain text whenever possible.
I want my work to stay portable for years.
Own your data.
I prefer tools that make exporting easy.
Reduce context switching.
Every extra app has to justify its existence.
AI should amplify thinking, not replace it.
I use it to explore ideas, review code, and challenge my own assumptions — not to outsource judgment.