Productivity

My Full Tech Stack as a Developer, Designer, and Maker

·8 min read

Over the years, my tech stack has evolved based on what I actually use to build real things. I don't chase trends or overcomplicate. If a tool gets the job done efficiently, I stick with it.

This is my current, battle-tested stack—optimized for speed, simplicity, and execution.

iOS Development (Primary)

I'm fully focused on Apple platforms, building native apps with Apple's ecosystem—without unnecessary dependencies. Having spent a couple of years in web development and experimenting with cross-platform frameworks, I can confidently say that Apple provides the best developer experience.

  • Language: Swift
  • UI Framework: SwiftUI
  • Data Storage: SwiftData (local), CloudKit (sync)
  • AI Features: Gemini API (via my own Node.js backend)
  • Backend (only if absolutely necessary): Node.js with Express.js

Why This Stack?

  • iOS is my primary expertise → I focus on mastery, not just being "good enough" at multiple things.
  • Swift & SwiftUI → Apple-native tools ensure better performance, smoother animations, and long-term stability.
  • SwiftData & CloudKit → No unnecessary backends unless absolutely needed. Users' data stays local, with optional iCloud sync.
  • No Android, no React Native → Focused execution wins. Instead of splitting focus across platforms, I go all-in on Apple. (Believe me, I tried.)
  • Gemini → I love the context window, it has one of the best pricing on the market, and if you're in the Google for Startups Cloud Program, you get incredibly generous AI credits.

Web Development

I build web projects when needed, but mobile-first.

  • Framework: Next.js (JavaScript, no TypeScript)
  • Styling: Tailwind CSS
  • Hosting: Vercel
  • Backend (only if necessary): Node.js with Express.js
  • Database (if needed): PostgreSQL or MongoDB

Why This Stack?

  • I can use Next.js for full-stack development in most cases → No need for separate frontend and backend frameworks.
  • Next.js is the fastest way to build modern web apps → SSR, SSG, and API routes give flexibility.
  • Tailwind CSS speeds up UI development → No unnecessary CSS files, just fast, maintainable styling.
  • Vercel for hosting → Instant deployments, zero DevOps overhead.
  • No TypeScript → TypeScript slows down solo development. JavaScript is faster for execution.

AI

AI isn't just hype—it's a real tool for making products better. I build AI-powered applications that enhance user experience and productivity.

  • AI Models: Gemini API
  • Custom AI Backend: Node.js with Express.js (centralized for all my AI-powered apps)
  • AI Use Cases:
    • Cloud-based AI → Gemini API for language models, reasoning tasks, and intelligent automation.
    • Hybrid AI approach → Efficiently routing data between the client and my AI backend for speed, privacy, and cost optimization.

Why This Stack?

  • AI should feel invisible but powerful → Users should experience the benefits, not complexity.
  • Cloud-based AI for flexibility → Gemini API allows real-time intelligent responses without needing custom model training.
  • One centralized AI backend → Instead of integrating AI separately into each app, I route AI features through a single backend for efficiency, cost control, and scalability.

Design & UI/UX

A clean, modern UI is non-negotiable. I follow Apple's Human Interface Guidelines to their full potential. A well-designed app isn't just about looking good—it should feel natural and effortless to use.

  • Design Tool: Sketch
  • Font Choices: Nunito & Nunito Sans (social media), System Fonts (apps & websites)
  • Color Palette: Black, White, Gray (Monochrome) + carefully chosen accent colors depending on the app.

Why This Stack?

  • Sketch over Figma → Personal choice. Feels better for iOS development and more native to macOS.
  • System fonts for apps → Better performance, native feel, and no extra load time.
  • Minimal color palette → Consistency across all my products while keeping things clean and professional.

Productivity & Workflow

Tech isn't just about what I build—it's also about how I work.
I keep my workflow lean, simple, and effective. No fluff. No wasted time.

  • Editor: Cursor (AI-assisted coding) and Xcode, of course.
  • Version Control: GitHub
  • Project Management: Apple Notes + Apple Reminders
    (No Notion, no Obsidian, no drowning in "toxic productivity" with a dozen unnecessary tools—just keep it simple.)

Why This Stack?

  • Cursor for AI coding assistance → No explanation needed here. Plus I used GitHub Copilot for a while, but it's not even close to what Cursor has already accomplished.
  • Apple Notes over Notion → Notion is a great tool, but for me, it's too heavy and overcomplicated. I prefer tools that do one thing and do it well. Notes keeps it clean, fast, and stress-free.
  • Apple Reminders for tasks → Simple, native, and does exactly what I need—without adding mental clutter.

Final Thoughts

This stack is built for execution. I don't waste time with tools that slow me down.
Everything I use is optimized for shipping fast, with as little friction as possible.

🚀 This is the stack that helps me build real products—fast.

That being said, this is my personal tech stack—the one I use for my own projects. When working with teams or client projects, I adapt to the best tools for the job, because that's how it's supposed to be. Instead of religiously following a tech stack, I believe in choosing the best technology for each project. The right tool is the one that helps us ship efficiently, scale properly, and maintain sanity.