Tools Are Just Tools... Aren't They?

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The quest for the perfect tool setup seems eternal. Like many of you, I’m constantly tinkering with my software toolkit, convinced that the next app might be the one that revolutionizes my workflow. But as we enter this new era of AI-augmented tools, I’ve been reflecting on our relationship with software and how it’s evolving.

We’re all familiar with the pattern: discover a new tool, get excited about its possibilities, integrate it into our workflow, and then… start looking for something better. Just when you think you’ve found the perfect note-taking app or task manager, someone shares their setup with a compelling alternative.

What drives this perpetual search? Perhaps it’s not just about the tools themselves, but our secret hope that the right combination of software will unlock unprecedented productivity. We’ve all been there – watching those “My Productivity Setup” videos, convinced that this new system will finally be the one.

It’s fascinating how certain tools become almost viral in professional circles. Notion, Figma, VS Code – these aren’t just tools anymore; they’re expected competencies which is seems to me plain wrong. Being proficient in Figma, or Sketch for that matter, doesn’t make you a better designer.

Here’s my current toolkit, though I’m sure it will look different in a few months:

AI tools

  • Claude: Desktop client for Anthropic’s LLM. While capable, it currently lacks feature parity with ChatGPT’s interface.
  • Goose: Promising on-machine AI agent in early development. Shows significant potential despite its nascent state.
  • Sanctum: Privacy-focused, open-source LLM interface. Enables local model running with complete data control.
  • Windsurf AI: Collaborative coding environment with integrated AI capabilities. Truly impressive.

Browsers and web tools

  • Arc: Innovative browser with a minimalist approach. Development has paused as The Browser Company shifts focus.
  • Firefox: Reliable development browser featuring industry-leading inspection tools.
  • Raindrop.io: Comprehensive bookmarks manager with solid cross-platform support and browser integration.
  • Netnewswire: Time-tested, open-source RSS reader. Offers robust functionality without unnecessary complexity. Thank you, Brent Simmons.

Design

  • Adobe Creative Suite: Adobe suite of tools needs no introduction. I use it less and less these days.
  • Color Slurp: Straightforward color picker that delivers exactly what it promises.
  • Eagle: Efficient asset management system. I use it mainly for design inspiration collections.
  • Figma: One of the tools — besides the browser, Obsidian and mail — where I spent most of my working hours.

Development

  • OutSystems Service Studio: Low-code development environment used at FCT for rapid application deployment.
  • Tower: Definitive Git client for macOS. Sets the standard for version control interfaces.
  • VS Code: Versatile code editor with built-in Copilot integration. Maintains the perfect balance between features and performance.
  • Warp: Modern terminal built in Rust. Enhances command-line productivity with AI-assisted features. Replaced the trusty iTerm in my toolkit.

Communication, media and entertainment

  • Calibre: Comprehensive eBook management tool for organizing digital books that I know. Indispensable companion to my Kobo Libra 2.
  • Ivory: Refined Mastodon client with Tapbots’ signature polish.
  • Microsoft Teams: Corporate collaboration platform used within FCT.
  • Spotify: You know Spotify, right? No, seriously. More than once, I’ve tried to change but I have a family plan and… you know.
  • WhatsApp: Because everybody uses it and I’m still quicker on a physical keyboard.
  • Zoom: Standard video conferencing solution.

Productivity

  • Apple Notes: Simple yet powerful note-taking app for capturing ideas across Apple devices.
  • Tick Tick: Current task management choice after evaluating various alternatives including Omnifocus and Things.
  • Obsidian: Markdown-based knowledge management system built on local plain text files.
  • Notion: All-in-one productivity tool that combines note-taking, task management, and database organization in a highly customizable workspace. I use it mainly for small databases.
  • Office Suite: Still use Word and Excel at my work.

Utilities

  • Raycast: Powerful launcher and utility suite. Handles everything from quick calculations to snippet management.
  • Moutain Duck: Efficient cloud storage mounter for macOS Finder. Simple yet effective Google Drive integration.
  • Transmit: Still my favorite sFTP visual client for mac.
  • Hazel: Automated file organization and management for macOS. It keeps my mac tidy!
  • Dropbox: Legacy cloud storage choice. Continued use driven by deep system integration and inertia.
  • Klokki: Lightweight time-tracking solution. Particularly valuable for freelance work management.

We’re at a unique moment in software history. AI isn’t just another feature – it’s fundamentally changing how we interact with our tools. Applications like Windsurf AI and Goose aren’t just doing tasks for us; they’re working alongside us, learning our preferences, and adapting to our needs. This shift raises interesting questions. When your IDE can generate code or your writing assistant can draft entire documents, what does that mean for traditional productivity metrics? Are we moving from tools as implements to tools as collaborators?

#ai #software #toolkit #productivity