Vasanth Kumar
Full-Stack Engineer & AI Product Builder
4+ years of experience building scalable web applications and AI-powered products. Passionate about end-to-end product development, clean architecture, and solving real-world problems.
/uses
My personal tech setup, tools, and software I use daily for development, design, and productivity. Inspired by uses.tech
What is /uses?
/uses is a standard page format in the developer community to share details about setup, hardware, and software. The concept started with uses.tech and has become a fun way for developers to discover what tools and workflows others prefer.
Hardware
MacBook Pro 16-inch (2024)
Primary development machine with M4 Pro chip and 36GB RAM
Why I use it: High-performance compilation, smooth multitasking with Docker and databases running.
Dell UltraSharp 27" 4K Monitor
External display for dual monitor setup
Why I use it: Extremely sharp for long development sessions. USB-C connectivity.
Magic Keyboard & Magic Mouse
Apple's wireless peripherals
Why I use it: Ergonomic and seamless macOS integration.
Logitech MX Master 3S
Advanced mouse with gesture controls
Why I use it: Better ergonomics and customizable buttons for development.
Software - Development
VS Code
Code editor with extensive extensions ecosystem
Why I use it: Fast, lightweight, and incredibly customizable. JavaScript debugging is seamless.
GitHub Copilot
AI-powered code completion and generation
Why I use it: Dramatically speeds up development. Reduces boilerplate writing.
Terminal (iTerm2)
macOS terminal replacement
Why I use it: Better performance and customization than stock Terminal.
Docker & Docker Desktop
Containerization for local development
Why I use it: Ensures production parity. Run databases, caches, services locally.
Git & GitHub Desktop
Version control and collaboration
Why I use it: Git is non-negotiable. GitHub Desktop for visual branch management.
Software - Design & Productivity
Figma
Web-based design and prototyping tool
Why I use it: Collaborative design with developers. Component systems simplify handoff.
Notion
All-in-one workspace for notes and documentation
Why I use it: Central hub for project specs, decision logs, and knowledge base.
Linear
Modern issue tracking and project management
Why I use it: Fast, keyboard-driven, and GitHub integration is excellent.
Slack
Team communication and notifications
Why I use it: Standard in tech teams. Integrates with development tools.
Raycast
Productivity launcher and command palette for macOS
Why I use it: Faster than Spotlight. Quick access to tools and scripts.
Terminal & Dotfiles
Zsh + Oh My Zsh
Shell with plugin ecosystem
Why I use it: Better autocomplete and syntax highlighting than bash.
Homebrew
Package manager for macOS
Why I use it: Install and manage all development tools effortlessly.
fzf
Fuzzy finder for filesystem and command history
Why I use it: Dramatically speeds up terminal navigation.
bat
Better cat command with syntax highlighting
Why I use it: Colorized code in terminal. Integrates with fzf.
exa
Modern replacement for ls command
Why I use it: Better colors and information in directory listings.
Browser Extensions
Wappalyzer
Identify technologies used on websites
Why I use it: Quickly see tech stack of any site. Great for competitive analysis.
Lighthouse
Google's web performance auditing tool
Why I use it: Built-in performance, accessibility, SEO auditing.
React DevTools
Chrome extension for debugging React apps
Why I use it: Essential for React development. Inspect component trees and state.
ColorPick Eyedropper
Color picker for any element on the page
Why I use it: Quick color sampling without opening DevTools.
Fonts & Typography
Fira Code
Monospace font with ligatures for code
Why I use it: Beautiful ligatures for programming operators. Very readable.
Inter
Font family optimized for computer screens
Why I use it: Used across this website. Excellent for UI text at all sizes.
Space Mono
Fixed-width typeface for headers
Why I use it: Distinctive character. Used for branding on this site.
VS Code Extensions (Top 10)
GitHub Copilot
AI code completion
Why I use it: 10x productivity boost. Worth the subscription.
Prettier
Code formatter for consistency
Why I use it: Remove formatting debates. Format on save.
ESLint
JavaScript/TypeScript linter
Why I use it: Catch errors before runtime. Enforce code standards.
Thunder Client
REST API client (Postman alternative)
Why I use it: Lightweight API testing without leaving VS Code.
Database Client
SQL database explorer and editor
Why I use it: Run queries without switching to separate database tool.
GitLens
Git information inline in editor
Why I use it: Blame info, commit history, branch graphs.
Peacock
Color code your workspace by project
Why I use it: Prevents switching code in wrong project.
TODO Highlight
Highlight TODO and FIXME comments
Why I use it: Never lose track of important code markers.
Better Comments
Color highlight different comment types
Why I use it: Comments are more readable and scannable.
Error Lens
Display errors inline in the editor
Why I use it: See linting errors without hovering.
Subscriptions & Costs
I invest in tools that provide real value:
GitHub Copilot
$10/month
Saves 3+ hours/week
Linear
Free/Team
Project management
Figma
$12/month
Design & collaboration
Raycast Pro
$10/month
Productivity launcher
I don't use subscription software for the sake of it. Each tool must provide ROI in time saved or quality improved.
Development Workflow
Daily Routine
- Check Linear for prioritized tasks
- Code with Copilot assistance in VS Code
- Test locally with Docker running services
- Use Thunder Client for API testing
- Review in Figma when design questions arise
- Commit and push to GitHub
- Monitor Slack for team communication
Code Quality
- Prettier auto-formats on save (no debates)
- ESLint catches errors during development
- TypeScript prevents type errors
- GitHub Copilot suggests better patterns
- Write tests before shipping
Productivity Tips
- Use keyboard shortcuts aggressively
- Raycast for quick app/file access
- fzf for terminal history search
- Turn notifications off during deep work
- Single monitor focus → dual monitor multitasking
Want recommendations?
Check out my /resources page for a curated list of tools, frameworks, and learning resources I recommend.
View Resources/uses FAQ
How often do you update your tools?▼
I review my tooling quarterly. I prefer stability over constantly chasing new tools, but I pay attention to new releases and try them on side projects.
Is your MacBook overkill for development?▼
For my workflow with Docker, multiple browsers, and heavy AI tools, the M4 Pro keeps everything smooth. It's a productivity multiplier.
Why Figma over other design tools?▼
Built-in collaboration, component systems, excellent API for integration, and it's the industry standard. Client files are usually in Figma anyway.
Do you actually use all extensions in VS Code?▼
Yes, but I keep them to the top 10 that provide the most value. I disable extensions I haven't used in a week.
What would you recommend for beginners?▼
Start simple: VS Code, Node.js, Git. Master the fundamentals before adding tools. You don't need all this to write great code.
Hardware lifespan?▼
I upgrade MacBooks every 3-4 years. The M4 Pro should last me 4+ years before needing an upgrade.