The Most Awesome Tools I Use on My Mac: A Developer’s Guide

As a developer, I’ve come to rely on an assortment of fantastic tools that make my Mac experience productive, enjoyable, and even a little magical. Below, I’ve organized the tools I use into categories that make sense — grouping similar tools together to create a more coherent flow. Whether you’re looking for command line power, productivity enhancements, or just something to make your life easier, there’s something here for everyone.

Command Line & Terminal Tools

Homebrew

Homebrew is the package manager that every Mac user needs. It makes installing, updating, and managing software incredibly simple, all from the command line. Need a specific tool or library? Chances are, you can install it with a quick brew install <package>. Homebrew takes the hassle out of installing developer tools and makes managing dependencies a breeze.

iTerm2

If you’re still using the default Terminal app, iTerm2 is like upgrading from a toy car to a Ferrari. It offers split panes, rich customization, advanced search, and the ability to navigate with hotkeys — features that make working in the command line far more enjoyable. For me, it’s all about speed and the ability to multitask, and iTerm2 does that beautifully.

Oh My Zsh

This is the tool that makes my command line look, feel, and work exactly the way I want it to. Oh My Zsh is a delightful framework for managing Zsh configuration, packed with plugins and themes that make navigating and managing my development environment much smoother. The auto-completions and keyboard shortcuts save me loads of time, and it just makes terminal life a lot more fun.

Productivity Boosters

Raycast

Raycast is my productivity Swiss army knife. Think of it as Spotlight on steroids. I use it to launch apps, run shortcuts, do quick calculations, and more — all without lifting my hands from the keyboard. It integrates with a bunch of other tools, making it a great hub for all my Mac workflows. The extensibility of Raycast is what makes it so powerful; it’s one of those tools that you keep finding new uses for.

Rectangle

Window management can get messy, but Rectangle keeps everything organized. This handy tool lets me snap windows into place using keyboard shortcuts — perfect for when I’m multitasking and need a tidy workspace. It’s lightweight, simple, and keeps my screen clutter under control, which is a huge help when juggling multiple code editors, terminals, and browser windows.

Maccy

Maccy is a clipboard manager, and it’s one of those tools I didn’t know I needed until I tried it. It keeps track of everything I copy, making it easy to find something I copied hours or even days ago. No more copying over something important by mistake — Maccy makes sure everything is saved in one convenient place.

Grammarly

Grammarly is my go-to tool for writing, whether it’s code comments, documentation, or even emails. It catches grammar mistakes, suggests improvements, and generally makes my writing clearer and more professional. It integrates well with browsers and other apps, so it’s always there to lend a hand when I need it. With Grammarly, I can focus on the content without worrying about the nitty-gritty details of grammar and style.

Focus and Comfort

Amphetamine

Sometimes you just don’t want your Mac to sleep or turn off the screen, especially during those long coding sessions or while running a lengthy script. Amphetamine lets me keep my Mac awake with just a click. It’s simple, effective, and a lot easier than digging through system settings to adjust sleep options.

Ice

Ice helps keep my Mac’s fans under control. As someone who pushes their Mac pretty hard, it’s essential to keep an eye on temperatures and fan speeds. Ice does a great job of managing this and helps me make sure my machine is always running smoothly without getting too hot under the collar.

Development Tools

IntelliJ IDEA

Whether I’m using the Ultimate edition or a combination of the Community edition with WebStorm, IntelliJ is my IDE of choice. It’s incredibly powerful, with a wealth of plugins that make my development workflow smooth. The intelligent code completion, debugging tools, and overall user experience are unparalleled for any development.

ChatGPT

Yes, even an AI assistant makes it to my list! Whether I’m stuck on a particular piece of code, need a second opinion on my implementation, or just want to brainstorm a bit, ChatGPT is a great companion to have by my side. It’s like having a very patient programming buddy who’s always ready to help. Also, its desktop map can directly work with files from your IDE.

Security and Convenience

1Password

Passwords are a necessary evil, but 1Password makes managing them easy. It keeps all my credentials, sensitive notes, and even software licenses in one place, securely. It also integrates seamlessly with browsers and apps, making logging in or filling out secure information painless. Security without the hassle — that’s 1Password. This is the only not a free option on this list, but its fully worth the money.

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These tools make my Mac a powerhouse for development, productivity, and just getting things done in general. Each one plays its own role, from managing my terminal environment to keeping me organized and focused. I hope you find something here that can make your workflow a little smoother, too. If there’s a tool you love that I’ve missed, drop a comment — I’m always on the lookout for something new!