Development Environment & Stack

Date: January 2, 2026

Categories: #Guide, #Programming


My development philosophy centers on efficiency and deep integration. I prefer tools that work out of the box and allow me to focus on writing code rather than configuring the editor for hours.

IDEs & Ecosystem

  • JetBrains Ecosystem: My daily drivers (WebStorm, IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm). Ready for heavy development immediately after installation.
  • CI/CD & Task Tracking: I prefer YouTrack and TeamCity for their seamless interconnection. I can handle Jira and GitHub Actions, but I find the Atlassian ecosystem stagnant—it’s a company living off its history rather than modern innovation.
  • Kiro Code: Currently my go-to for AI-assisted workflow. Its Spec-driven mode is superior to Cursor/JetBrains; it enforces discipline by requiring a solid specification before any code generation.
  • Secondary Tools:
    • VS Code: A backup solution. Overrated for heavy lifting, and the lack of native middle-click support is a personal pet peeve.
    • Sublime Text: Always in my heart. A lightning-fast “better Notepad” for quick config edits.

Software & Workflow

  • Browser Extensions: My essential Chrome kit includes React DevTools, WhatFont, and Dimensions for pixel-perfect layouts. Most of my debugging happens in Incognito mode to ensure a clean state.
  • Utilities:
    • ShareX: Absolute lifesaver for quick bug reporting and annotated screenshots.
    • Total Commander Yes, I still use it. I own a lifetime license, and I’m proud of it.
    • WSL2: The only reason I can still tolerate working on Windows, although I am using just basics.
  • Git: I prefer the CLI for speed and basic operations, but I always switch to the JetBrains built-in tools for complex merges or cherry-picking.
  • Time Tracking & DB: I leverage native JetBrains plugins for time tracking and database management directly in the IDE to keep my workflow unified.
  • Graphics: Photopea is my first choice for quick edits. If a task requires more than that, it’s a job for a dedicated designer. I know my way around Photoshop/Illustrator, but I prefer to stay in the dev zone.

Hardware & Ergonomics

  • Peripherals:
    • Mouse: [Logitech MX Master 3S] — Simply perfect. No notes1.
    • Keyboard: [Logitech MX Keys S] — Honestly? A bit overpriced for what it is. I often find myself switching back to my cheaper Delux keyboard, which feels more comfortable for long coding sessions.
  • Display Setup: I use a dual-monitor setup: one 29" high-resolution ultra-wide for work and one standard HD monitor for testing output quality. I’ve tried single large or curved monitors, but this “mismatched” combo works best for my productivity.
  • Furniture: - Standing Desk: A large, height-adjustable desk. It’s a game-changer; being able to switch between sitting and standing is essential.
    • Seating: A standard IKEA chair, but I alternate it with a sitting ball. It might look funny, but it’s remarkably effective for back health.
  • Audio: I use headphones primarily for focus and noise isolation, though I don’t stick to any specific “audiophile” brand.

Greenery & Vibe

I have a thing for plants—lots of them. It’s usually the first “weird” thing my new colleagues notice when I join an office. But trust me: after a few months, they almost always start bringing in their own. Having green life around my workspace is essential for me; it keeps me focused and makes the environment feel more peaceful and grounded. And I am not talking about like three of five of them :-)


  1. The ergonomics are legendary, but the real “killer feature” is the thumb button. I have it mapped to trigger a GPT window that stays on top of everything. It’s the fastest way to ask a question: hit the button, get the answer, hit it again to hide it, and keep coding. No more switching to browser tabs for AI—absolute perfection! ↩︎