I love to tinker. Whether it’s with code, gadgets, or my workspace, I’m always looking for ways to optimize and improve. Recently, I’ve made some significant changes to my /uses page, and I’m excited to share the results with you. From software switches to hardware upgrades, there’s a lot to cover. So without further ado, let’s dive into the shiny new setup!

Dev Tools

• Sayonara, Charles! Hello, Proxyman! I was tired of the same old debugging routine with certs and simulators, and Proxyman was plug and play. Even better, it groups requests by app, making it easier to track down issues with disparate API calls.
• I kept coming back to iTerm2 due to random issues. I tried Kitty and Alacritty but settled on Wezterm. It’s fast, customizable, and uses GPU acceleration for rendering. My terminal has never looked better! Even better, I no longer need to use tmux due to it’s use of multiplexing
• Key Codes and Unicycle? Gone. Turns out, I’m not the Mac app developing wizard I thought I was. 🧙‍♂️
• Retired Reveal in favor of the improved Xcode Visual Debugger. It’s like having a magnifying glass for my UI elements, minus the Sherlock Holmes hat.
• I’ve retired Alfred in favor of Raycast. Raycast is like Alfred, but with a different twist.It’s powerful extensions and built in management of them won me over. Plus, it integrates seamlessly with my other tools. Apps like Contexts and Hammerspoon-specific switching are no longer needed, as Raycast handles all my app switching needs.
• I’ve needed more shared notes lately, so I’ve switched to Apple Notes for that. It’s great for collaboration and sharing ideas. For personal notes, I’ve started using Obsidian. It has a huge community, extensive plugins, and a great interface. Plus, it’s perfect for organizing my brain.
• I’ve ditched Deliveries in favor of Parcel. Parcel offers tracking for services I use, keeping me updated on my packages with ease.
• Bartender is out, and Ice is in. Ice is lightweight and integrates perfectly with my setup, keeping my menu bar tidy without any fuss. I wasn’t too comfortable with the ownership change of Bartender, so I decided to switch to Ice.

Browsing in Style

Added Arc as my browser. It’s organized and sleek, allowing me to optimize my browsing experience while using Chrome’s devtools. The downside is that it is a battery hog, but I’m willing to make that trade-off for the features it offers.

Hardware Upgrades

• Swapped my Mac Pro for a 2021 14” MacBook Pro. The M1 Pro is so powerful and efficient, I no longer need a desktop setup.
• I’ve swapped my LG Ultrafine 4K for the Apple Studio Display. The colors are more vibrant, and the resolution is top-notch. Plus, it integrates seamlessly with my MacBook Pro or iPad.
• Upgraded my CalDigit dock from Thunderbolt 3 to 4. Thunderbolt 4 docks allow me to plug my 6k diplay into it without an extra cord or kernel panics.
• During the pandemic, I found myself sitting more than ever. I decided to upgrade my desk to a height-adjustable Autonomous SmartDesk 2. It’s a game-changer for my posture and productivity. I still don’t love it, but it’s better than my old Ikea desk.
• After 8 years (yes, EIGHT), I replaced my Steelcase Leap with the Anthros Chair. The initial days were tough, but now I can’t imagine going back. The Anthros Chair offers superior comfort and support, making long work hours a breeze. Highly recommend the upgrade!
• Mechanical keyboard upgrade: Think 6.5 out, Rama U80A-SEQ2 with U4T switches in. It’s a different form factor, so I have more keys to play with. The U4T switches are tactile and smooth, making typing a joy. I toy around with a Lofree keyboard when I want a change of pace.

Work Section

Remember my work section? Yeah, me neither. Full-time remote life means my office is wherever I want it to be. Today, it’s my couch. Tomorrow? Who knows. The world is my office! In reality though, I find myself working from my home office most days. It’s cozy, comfortable, and 🐶 dog-approved.

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I’ve made a lot of changes to my /uses page, and I’m thrilled with the results. My setup is more efficient and enjoyable than ever. If you’re looking to revamp your own workspace or just curious about what tools I use, I hope this gives you some inspiration. Let me know what you think in the comments below!