~ favorites

a curated list of tools, tech, and sites i keep coming back to, battle-tested and beloved.

js / fullstack tech

Everything I love using in my TypeScript + React stack.

Next.js // React’s power tool - SSR, static, and fullstack in one.
tRPC // End-to-end typesafe APIs. No extra REST, just pure TS goodness.
Tailwind CSS // Utility-first CSS that makes styling fast and consistent.
shadcn/ui // Beautiful UI components with Radix.
Drizzle ORM // Type-safe ORM for people who like explicit and predictable DB access.
Zod // Runtime validation with TypeScript vibes. No guesswork.

Core libraries and tools I rely on for building performant backends, robust CLIs, and reliable tests in Go.

Go-Chi // Minimalist router, no BS. Perfect for clean HTTP APIs.
gorilla/websocket // The go-to WebSocket lib for Go - solid, battle-tested, no surprises.
sqlc // Generate type-safe Go code straight from SQL. No ORM magic, just pure SQL power.
goose // Simple, reliable DB migrations. Keeps your schema in check.
spf13/cobra // A structured framework for CLI applications. Manages commands, flags, and help output efficiently, allowing focus on core logic.
stretchr/testify // A comprehensive testing toolkit. The `require` package ensures immediate failure on assertion errors, promoting test reliability and clarity.

People whose sites shaped how I designed mine.

nexxel.dev // My portfolio’s UI? Yeah, this is basically a love letter - massively inspired, almost copied. No shame.
t3.gg // Theo’s creation - the fullstack starter kit that just clicks. All the good stuff, zero fluff.
lukesmith.xyz // Linux wizardry meets no-nonsense minimalism. The Unix way, done right.
bugswriter.com // Linux deep dives and low-level magic. For those who love the kernel grind.
ironchad.dev // Frontend beast mode - clean code, sharp design, zero fluff.
leerob.io // Next.js and Jamstack wizardry.

Everything I touch when living inside the terminal.

fzf // Fuzzy finder that saves your day.
ripgrep // Fast grep alternative, no compromises.
htop // The ‘top’ command on steroids - process watching made easy and colorful.
lazygit // Git commands with a UI that’s fast, slick, and saves you from the CLI grind.
jq // JSON ninja tool - slice, filter, and transform your data right in the terminal.
curl // Command line swiss army knife for HTTP. Debug APIs like a boss.

My daily drivers. These stay installed. Always.

Neovim // The Vim revival - modern, extensible, and blazing fast editor for pros.
tmux // Terminal multiplexer that lets you juggle sessions like a boss.
foot // Minimal GPU-accelerated terminal - fast, clean, no nonsense.
lf // Terminal file manager with vim bindings. Quick, lightweight, powerful.
yazi // Minimal status bar for i3 and sway. Simple, effective, and configurable.
mpv // Media player for those who want full control without the fluff.
mpd // Music player daemon - play your tunes headlessly, forever.
ncmpcpp // Music player client for mpd with a killer terminal UI.

Codebases that made me go 'damn, this is clean.'

t3-app // Fullstack starter kit done right.
shadcn/ui // Beautiful UI components with Radix.
Astro // Modern static site builder, blazing fast.
webtui/webtui // CSS magic that turns terminal vibes into slick browser UIs. Clean and modular.
AVGVSTVS96/react-shiki // Syntax highlighting done right - React hook powered by Shiki, no fluff.

Stuff that eats my weekend. Worth it.

Red Dead Redemption 2 // Peak immersion. Slow burn cowboy simulator, in the best way.
Elden Ring // Die. Learn. Repeat. Massive open world pain and beauty.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice // No blocking, no hiding - just parry or perish. A rage-inducing masterpiece.
The Last of Us Part I // Post-apocalyptic masterpiece. Hits like a brick to the soul.
The Last of Us Part II Remastered // Gut-punch storytelling meets stealth and survival. Dark, brutal, unforgettable.
Days Gone – Broken Road DLC // Ride, scavenge, survive. Post-apocalyptic biker life with chaos on wheels.
God of War (2018) // dad game? yes. axe recall is pure dopamine. every swing feels heavy and earned.
God of War: Ragnarök // rage, regret, and realm-tearing combat. kratos delivers again, bigger and meaner.
Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection // climbing, chaos, and cinematic chases. drake never misses - this is linear done right.
Clash of Clans // Build, raid, repeat. Pure base-building dopamine with war-ready chaos.