Uses

This is what I actually use day to day to plan, build, ship, and stay sane while doing it.

Last updated: March 2026

Operating Principles

Boring Is Good

I would rather use dependable tools than chase whatever is trending this month.

Short Loops Win

Small deploys, clear logs, and fast feedback beat big risky releases.

Sustainable Pace

My setup should help me do good work for years, not burn out in one sprint.

Tools and Workflow

AI Assistants

  • Codex + Claude Code

    I use them for scaffolding, repetitive refactors, and first-pass docs so I can spend more time on architecture and edge cases.

Editor and Daily Interface

  • VS Code

    My default editor. I keep it simple and keyboard-first so it stays out of the way.

  • macOS Terminal + zsh

    This is where most of my delivery work happens: git, checks, scripts, and debugging.

Core Stack

  • C# / .NET 9

    My main backend stack for systems where reliability and maintainability matter.

  • React + Next.js

    My go-to for building practical interfaces quickly.

  • Python + Node.js

    Great for automation, integrations, and lightweight services.

  • Go (working knowledge)

    I use it in side projects to keep sharpening API and concurrency fundamentals.

Infrastructure and Delivery

  • AWS

    My main cloud platform for hosting and operations.

  • GitHub Actions

    My baseline for repeatable builds and safe deploy workflows.

  • Ansible + Terraform

    I use both to keep infrastructure changes repeatable and reviewable.

  • Prometheus + Grafana

    Monitoring and alerts so I can catch issues before users do.

Team Delivery Habits

  • Small commits, clean PRs

    I split work into small reviewable changes so teammates can reason quickly.

  • Write docs while building

    I update runbooks in the same sprint, not weeks later.

  • API sanity checks

    I run quick Postman or curl checks before handoff to catch integration issues early.

Desk Setup

  • MacBook Air

    Quiet, portable, and dependable.

  • Minimal physical setup

    A simple desk setup with fewer distractions and longer focus windows.

Life Outside Code

  • Baking

    Weekend baking is my reset ritual. Slower, hands-on work helps clear technical fatigue.

  • Cat breaks

    Short cat breaks between focus blocks help me avoid tunnel vision.

  • Camping and walks

    Time outdoors keeps my pace sustainable and keeps work in perspective.

Off-Screen Co-Workers

Ollie's cat sitting on top
Ollie's second cat on the right
Ollie's third cat on the left

Why cats?

They force micro-breaks that reset my attention between deep work blocks.

It sounds small, but those interruptions lower decision fatigue and improve code review quality over long days.