Preface
As 2024 comes to an end, with my WeChat content boost coupons about to expire, I’ve decided to summarize the various efficiency tools I frequently use in my daily development work this year. These include both software and hardware, and are shared here for reference.
Paid Subscription Software
Cursor
When it comes to AI programming, Cursor is the first to come to mind (note: “first to come to mind” is an idiom meaning the first to be considered or encountered—author’s note).
In comparisons with Windsurf and GitHub Copilot, its ability to generate new code is roughly on par. However, Cursor’s capability to modify/refactor existing code is a whole dimension ahead of other AI coding assistants. You mostly just need to press the Tab key—it automatically positions the cursor where refactoring/modification is needed. You accept with Tab, and pressing Tab again jumps to the next spot requiring changes. Its Composer/Agent is also a pioneer in AI pair programming, with undeniable prowess.
Notion
The free version meets my needs, while the paid version is more for collaboration, so I won’t be renewing my subscription next year.
The two most important features I look for in note-taking software are “unrestricted import/export” and “cross-platform compatibility.” Notion delivers on both:
- It supports API functionality, so there’s no worry about data being trapped in proprietary formats (looking at you, Evernote and other domestic note-taking apps).
- With its API and the Notion-Flow browser extension, you can write static blogs hosted on GitHub anytime, anywhere.
- Its database module can function as a web database with just a bit of server-side code, as I’ve used on my blog page:
TickTick
I previously bought Things outright, but its integration with calendars was clunky. A friend recommended TickTick.
Its calendar, tasks, and list views are incredibly convenient, and task details support rich text. This is likely why it’s subscription-based rather than a one-time purchase—ongoing server storage costs are involved.
1Password
The undisputed leader in password management software, it liberates you from typing passwords in various scenarios. It supports storing API tokens, credit card info, SSH details, recovery codes, and even WiFi credentials.
Its deep system integration takes “no-password entry” to the next level. On iOS, you’ll need to use the system keyboard to activate it, which is the main reason I avoid third-party keyboards on my phone.
When it comes to security, I trust commercial software more.
YouTube Premium
I count this as an efficiency tool because I primarily use it to learn new things. Searching for unfamiliar topics usually yields relevant content—recently for AI, earlier for Swift, and even relationship advice (though from self-proclaimed experts, so take it with a grain of salt). Of course, there’s also low-quality content, so surf wisely.
As a “perk” of Premium, YouTube Music is included. You can import Apple Music playlists (via third-party services) or upload your own music files. Compared to Apple Music, its advantages include:
- YouTube Music won’t replace your uploaded tracks with online library versions.
- It allows up to 100,000 uploaded songs.
- Even if you cancel YouTube Premium, you retain access to your uploaded music, essentially making it a music cloud drive.
So, embracing frugality, I canceled Apple Music at the end of 2024 and switched to YouTube Premium.
One-Time Purchase Software
PopClip
Enables right-handed, zero-lag searching, translation, and other operations—no left hand or keyboard needed.
My workflow involves selecting text to trigger OpenAI Translator, where I’ve predefined tasks (more on this later).
Alfred 5
Upgraded from the buy-once version 4, mainly for app launching and querying AI via OpenAITranslate. I wrote a custom script for this, activated the same way as above.
BetterMouse
I’ve been using Logitech gaming mice, which come with G HUB software. However, G HUB has numerous issues:
- Only black icons appear in the taskbar, which stand out conspicuously among the white icons.
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The interaction logic is bizarre. To open the software, I need to click the taskbar and then click “Launch G HUB” to start it, whereas most software opens the main window directly upon clicking and displays an interaction menu only when right-clicked. At the very least, provide an optional setting for users to decide the interaction behavior.
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The operation is sluggish. Launching takes half a minute, and occasionally it fails to start, getting stuck on the animation screen.
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The wording is odd. Please tell me, if I want to save my mouse settings onboard, should I click “Enable” for this option now, or leave it as is?
Bettermouse, in addition to allowing custom mouse movement speed, also supports advanced interactions like smooth scrolling and right-click drag-and-slide (e.g., in Figma, scrolling requires holding cmd + left-clicking and moving, whereas Bettermouse lets you drag the page by simply right-clicking).
Magnet
A window management tool I bought many years ago, installed on one Mac after another with my Apple ID. Adjusting window splits with shortcuts is su~per~ con~ve~nient~. There are many similar tools on the market, but this one is more than enough for me. After multiple version iterations, its features have only grown richer, leaving me with zero motivation to switch.
CleanshotX
Major version purchase
The ultimate screenshot/screen recording tool—I even paid for a major version upgrade once. No need for lengthy introductions. My favorite features: one-click copy to clipboard after screenshotting and one-click pin to screen (most frequently used). The use case? When you can’t remember something at a glance (sorry, my brain’s context capacity declines with age) and need to switch back and forth repeatedly, pinning the screenshot eliminates this hassle.
Surge/QuantumultX
Major version purchase
I abandoned ClashX (Little Cat) because its core is no longer updated and joined a 5-person Mac Surge group buy with friends. On my phone, I use QuantumultX.
xPic (Shameless Plug)
This is a personal recommendation—I developed it, haha
At work, I often need to compress and convert images, but online tools either fail to meet expectations, are cumbersome to upload/download, or raise privacy concerns. So, I developed xPic, which supports image/video compression, format conversion, image sequence frame compositing, and video-to-GIF conversion.
Since SVGA is used in my work, I also added convenient SVGA previews. The app still has bugs and is in beta testing.
Free/Open-Source Software
OpenAI Translator
It’s just a translation tool, nothing particularly noteworthy, but it supports PopClip invocation (the principle is sending data to a Unix socket registered by the app with the command: curl -d "$1" --unix-socket /tmp/openai-translator.sock http://openai-translator to trigger it), enabling quick AI queries with PopClip. The same applies to Alfred.
I added a new task:
WeChat Input Method
I don’t use WeChat Input Method on my iPhone—only on my Mac at work/home. The shared word library is excellent. I used Sogou Input before, but whether due to intentional dumbing-down post-Tencent acquisition to push users to switch or other reasons, Sogou often suggests words I’ve never typed instead of the most common ones. For example, when I type zhuomian, the first candidate is “卓面” (Zhuómian) instead of “桌面” (desktop).
Another awkward issue: I admit I’ve typed the character “屄” (bī) during keyboard battles. Somehow, Sogou seemed to pick up on this “preference.” Even after deliberately typing other homophones of “bi” multiple times to push “屄” down the candidate list via “frequency adjustment,” it kept failing. Sometimes it would temporarily move to the second page, only to reappear as the top candidate later (I swear I didn’t type it during that time).
A related problem: no matter when (even right after “training”), if I type vi, the input method might assume I meant bi (since the keys for v and b are adjacent, this logic makes sense). At this point, it ignores my manual candidate adjustments for bi and prioritizes showing “屄,” leading to awkward moments during screen sharing.
The reason I don’t use it on my iPhone is that only the native keyboard supports 1Password autofill/verification code autofill.
OrbStack
A native Docker/Linux/k8s management tool with an elegant interface, user-friendly operation, and low memory usage. The free version is fully functional. It’s leagues ahead of Docker Desktop. Here’s an official comparison:
Immersive Translate
An AI translation plugin that allows full-page translation with hotkeys or hover-to-translate selected content during web browsing. Supports custom API integration and YouTube subtitle translation—far superior to Google’s built-in machine translation.
(PS: Why doesn’t Google prioritize AI-translating all its documentation first instead of sticking with painfully unreadable machine translations despite their advancements in large language models?)
Warp
Killer feature: Edit bash commands like text.
Traditional terminals like iTerm2 impose limitations, such as the inability to use vim shortcuts. Without this feature, I’d never use Warp due to its excessive additions (AI, collaboration tools, etc.) that are unnecessary for me.
Syntax Highlight
Open-source
Press spacebar to preview files with extensive format support—extremely convenient.
MonitorControl
Open-source
As the name suggests, a display brightness control tool with hotkey support—very handy.
Cracked Software
TablePlus
Occasionally used for connecting to server databases (low frequency since I’m not a professional DevOps/backend engineer). Features a sleek interface and simple operation.
Hardware
G309 Mouse
Four-word review: Absolutely love it.
Crisp tactile feedback, dual-mode Bluetooth/wireless (Bluetooth is mediocre), pinpoint wireless accuracy (polling rate), slightly arched back, vertical sides, and included anti-slip grips—everything is perfect.
Note: Previously used asymmetrical mice (G403 and G502 wired, where right-click sits lower). Switching to the symmetrical G309 required adjusting to level-clicking—initially prone to accidental right-clicks until adapting to lifting fingers slightly.
Apple Watch Bands
Purchased from a mysterious Taobao store claiming to sell genuine unpackaged bands at 1/3 to 1/2 retail price. Arrived indistinguishable from OEM. The store also sells loose “99% new” or refurbished items—likely factory overruns/returns. I opted for boxed versions for resale value, but loose bands are highly rated.
AirPods 4 (Noise Cancelling)
Retired AirPods Pro 2 due to discomfort after nearly two years. The noise cancellation on the 4th gen is noticeably weaker but acceptable. Surprised by the lack of stem-slide volume control—otherwise satisfactory.
Xiaomi IH Rice Cooker S1
Replaced an 8-year-old Midea cooker (still functional). Works well, though shocked by its 1.5-hour congee cooking time.
Merida Explorer X Flat-Bar Road Bike
Not strictly electronics, but part of a programmer’s lifestyle. Perfect for my 20-minute daily commute.
Afterword
Share your favorite tools in the comments!
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From the author:
I often wish that when facing some key decisions in life, someone could tell me the best course of action so that I would not waste my precious time. Putting myself in others' shoes, I therefore write blogs often, hoping to record in this tiny corner of the vast Internet the once-in-a-lifetime experiences that matter to me, and to help those who seek help.
