DEV Community: Maxym Babenko

Essential macOS Apps for Developers in 2025

Maxym Babenko — Thu, 29 May 2025 07:28:20 +0000

MacOS has always been a solid choice for developers. It combines the stability of Unix underpinnings with elegant design and powerful hardware. But what really supercharges your workflow isn’t just the system itself — it’s the apps you run on it.

In 2025, the developer toolset on macOS is richer than ever. Whether you're coding, testing APIs, writing notes between sprints, or just living in the terminal, there’s an app that can make your day smoother. Here's a curated list of four standout tools every developer should consider.

1. Visual Studio Code

The All-in-One Code Editor for Every Stack

Visual Studio Code (VS Code) has been at the top of every developer’s list for years — and it’s still going strong in 2025. Created by Microsoft, it’s more than a text editor; it’s a full-fledged development environment that’s still lightweight, customizable, and shockingly fast.

VS Code supports pretty much every modern programming language out of the box or through extensions — from JavaScript and Python to Rust and Go. Its built-in Git tools, powerful debugger, and intelligent autocompletion (thanks to IntelliSense) make it ideal whether you’re building websites, automating tasks, or diving into machine learning.

The 2025 updates brought even more polish: security improvements like mandatory extension signature verification, smarter sidebar controls, and deeper workspace customization. It also runs natively on Apple Silicon, which means performance is smooth even on the most intensive projects.

If you want one editor that can handle it all — VS Code still wears the crown.

2. Peeknote

**
Quick Notes and Snippets Without the Noise

Sometimes you don’t need a sprawling knowledge base. You just need a clean space to think, write, and move on. That’s where Peeknote shines.

Peeknote is a minimalist macOS app designed for developers who want to quickly jot down ideas, to-dos, or snippets of code — without getting lost in tabs, folders, or settings. It's built to be fast, native, and pleasant to use. The interface is distraction-free, but smart: it supports syntax highlighting for multiple programming languages, making it great for saving and reusing code fragments.

There are no overwhelming features, no clutter — just a reliable companion always ready to open and capture a thought. And because it’s lightweight, it doesn’t hog your memory or CPU. Keep it open while you code, and you’ll forget it’s even there — until you need it.

For devs who live in ideas and jump between tasks, Peeknote is like a digital sticky note... only better.

3. iTerm2

**
The Terminal, Leveled Up

The default Terminal on macOS is... fine. But developers who spend a lot of time in the command line know there’s a world of difference between fine and fantastic. Enter iTerm2 — the terminal replacement you didn’t know you needed (until you use it).

iTerm2 packs a punch with features like split panes (finally!), session restoration, hotkey windows, extensive customization, and even support for advanced scripting. You can search across terminal output, bookmark sessions, and tweak the visual design down to your liking.

The latest 2025 release, version 3.5.13, brought fixes for annoying bugs and better compatibility with macOS Ventura and Sonoma. Whether you're SSH-ing into servers or running Docker containers locally, iTerm2 helps you do it all faster and more comfortably.

It’s one of those tools that quietly improves your daily routine — and once you switch, there’s no going back.

4. Postman

**
Master Your APIs Without Leaving Your Mac

If you work with APIs — and let’s be honest, who doesn’t in 2025 — Postman remains a must-have. It’s no longer just a tool for testing GET requests; it’s a full API development and collaboration platform.

Postman lets you build, test, document, and monitor APIs in a visual and intuitive way. You can organize endpoints into collections, share them with your team, automate tests, and plug it all into your CI/CD pipeline. The new Spec Hub helps centralize and manage your API specs. And with the Postman CLI, you can now lint, test, and secure APIs directly from the command line.

This year’s updates also improved performance and reliability on macOS — with full support for macOS Catalina and newer. Whether you’re building backend services or just trying to debug a webhook, Postman makes the process easier, faster, and more collaborative.

Final Thoughts
Choosing the right tools makes all the difference in a developer’s day. Some apps help you code better. Others help you think clearer. And a few make the whole experience more enjoyable.

Whether you’re living inside VS Code, managing servers through iTerm2, sketching ideas in Piknote, or wrangling APIs with Postman — each of these apps earns its place on your Mac. They don’t just help you get work done — they help you do your best work.

So if you haven’t tried them yet, maybe it’s time to see what your Mac is truly capable of.

Time in Status for Jira: Best Practices That Actually Work in 2025

Maxym Babenko — Tue, 20 May 2025 07:33:47 +0000

Agile teams often look productive on the surface. Standups are happening, boards are moving, everyone is busy. But then the sprint ends and a large chunk of the work is still not finished.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. You open your Jira board and see issues scattered across “In Progress,” “In Review,” or “Waiting for QA.” It's frustrating, because the team was working. So what happened? Where exactly did the process slow down?

This is where tracking Time in Status can become one of the most useful things your team does.

Why Time in Status Is More Than a Nice-to-Have

At first, measuring how long an issue sits in each status might seem like overkill. But it often reveals things your team didn’t realize were happening.

Instead of relying on memory or assumptions, you get actual data to help you:

Identify where issues are spending too much time
Catch slow or unclear handoffs
Spot hidden bottlenecks

Plan future sprints based on what really happened, not what you expected

Here are a few common patterns teams notice once they start tracking this:

The "In Review" column gets crowded at the end of each week
QA only starts testing in the last days of the sprint
Some tasks stay “In Progress” even though they’re actually blocked and no one notices

Once you can see these patterns, it becomes easier to address them.

What Real Teams Have Discovered

Case 1: Too Much Time Waiting for Review

One team realized that some issues were spending more time in “Ready for Review” than in development. The reason? Developers didn’t want to stop coding to do reviews, so they postponed them. QA ended up getting a flood of issues on Friday.

How they fixed it:

Set up a daily 30-minute “review time”
Encouraged devs to do reviews earlier in the sprint
Balanced the testing load more evenly

✅ Result: Reviews started happening faster. QA got a steadier flow. And the team felt a lot less pressure on Fridays.

Case 2: No One Noticed the Blockers

Another team committed to 10 stories. Only 4 were finished. The others were scattered across statuses like “Blocked,” “Ready for QA,” and “In Progress.”

When they looked at the time data, they saw:

Two tasks had sat in “Blocked” for three days
A few tickets were ready for review, but no one was tagged
Everyone had been focused on their own work and missed what was stuck

What they changed:

Started tagging the next person responsible in comments
Added a short daily sync focused just on blockers

✅ Result: In the next sprint, the average waiting time dropped by nearly half.

Why Manual Tracking Isn’t Worth the Effort

Some teams try to track Time in Status with spreadsheets, filters, or Jira exports. That usually doesn’t work well.

Why? Because it’s:

Easy to forget or update late
Not integrated into the real workflow
Too slow to be useful in real-time

💡 That’s why more teams are turning to tools that track it for them, right inside Jira.

A Simpler Way to See What’s Really Going On

Flow Time Report is a lightweight Jira Cloud app that automatically shows how long an issue spent in each status, who moved it, and when.

Right in the issue panel, your team can see:

Total time in each status
Entry and exit timestamps
Who transitioned the issue
Visual indicators that show whether a task is on track, at risk, or overdue
Export options to CSV, JSON, Markdown, or plain text

No setup. No dashboards. You immediately see how work moves through your Jira workflow.

How Teams Use This in Daily Work

This kind of visibility helps improve more than just reports.

➡️ During Sprint Planning

Look at timing from past sprints to set more realistic expectations for each issue type.

➡️ At Daily Standups

If something has been “In Progress” for more than two days, bring it up. Is it stuck? Does someone need help?

➡️ In Retrospectives

Discuss issues that spent the most time in any single status. Why? And what could make that faster next time?

➡️ For Team Conversations

Use the data to support better conversations about process, collaboration, and ownership.

Not About Micromanagement — It's About Flow
Some people get nervous about tracking things like Time in Status. It might feel like someone is watching over their shoulder.

But when used well, this kind of tracking actually gives teams more control. It lets people see how the process works as a system, and where it breaks down.

In one case, a QA team mentioned they were always the last to know when something was ready. After looking at the time data, the devs started tagging them directly in comments. A small change, but it made a big difference.
You Can Try It for Free
Зміст статті
Flow Time Report
Flow Time Report is free for small teams (up to 10 users) and has a 30-day free trial for everyone else.

🔗 Try it on the Atlassian Marketplace

If your team cares about improving how work flows, cutting down stress, and finishing what gets started, this is a good place to begin.

Jira #Agile #Scrum #Kanban #TimeInStatus #WorkflowOptimization #TeamPerformance #ProductivityTools #JiraApps #SoftwareDevelopment #AgileDelivery

Best Risk Management App for Jira (Scrum & Agile teams)

Maxym Babenko — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 09:52:23 +0000

👋 Hey everyone!

I’m excited to share Risk Radar, a powerful Jira Cloud app that helps teams assess and manage risks directly within Jira issues.

🔍 What is Risk Radar?
Risk Radar helps you identify potential risks associated with Jira issues right when they are created or edited. By assessing risks early, you can prioritize issues more effectively, reduce setbacks, and make smarter decisions.

Key Features:
▶️ Instant Risk Check: Evaluate risk levels as you create or update Jira issues.
▶️ Clear Risk Levels: Automatically classify tasks as low, medium, or high risk based on likelihood, impact, and complexity to fix.
▶️ Easy Jira Integration: Works effortlessly within your existing Jira setup—no hassle.

Why Use Risk Radar?
✅ Assess risks early: Evaluate and address risks when creating or editing issues.
✅ Make Smarter Decisions: Prioritize tasks with real-time risk insights.
✅ Enhance Team Collaboration: Improve transparency with clear risk indicators for every issue.

Get Started:

📥 Download: Risk Radar on the Atlassian Marketplace
🎥 Quick demo: Watch the Video
📖 Documentation: Read the Guide

I’d love for you and your team to give Risk Radar a try and share your feedback. Your insights will help me continue to improve and make the tool even more useful!

Issue with Empty Window Appearing on App Launch for macOS App - Help Needed

Maxym Babenko — Sat, 23 Nov 2024 09:03:55 +0000

I've been struggling with a problem for the past couple of weeks, and I can't seem to figure out the cause. I'm developing an app that allows users to easily switch languages on macOS. The app is ready, and I submitted it for review, but the problem is that Apple has been unable to approve it for the past two weeks due to an issue.

Upon launching the app, an empty window/container appears, but I cannot reproduce this issue on my own Macs (M1, M2, M3). On my machines, the app works perfectly and launches without the empty window appearing.

Does anyone know how I can identify and resolve this issue? I’ve attached a screenshot of the empty window that needs to be removed from the code, as well as a snippet of the code that might be responsible for it.

I would greatly appreciate any advice or suggestions on how to fix this, as I’m unable to reproduce the error on my end.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Screenshot:

@main
struct LanguageSwitcherApp: App {

    @NSApplicationDelegateAdaptor(AppDelegate.self) private var appDelegate

    var body: some Scene {
        Settings {
            EmptyView()
        }
        .commands {
            CommandGroup(after: .appInfo) {
                Button("Show Language Switcher") {
                    appDelegate.showLanguageSwitcher()
                }
            }
        }
    }
}

class AppDelegate: NSObject, NSApplicationDelegate {
    private var statusItem: NSStatusItem?
    private var languageSwitcherPanel: LanguageSwitchPanel?

    func applicationDidFinishLaunching(_ notification: Notification) {

        statusItem = NSStatusBar.system.statusItem(withLength: NSStatusItem.variableLength)
        if let button = statusItem?.button {
            button.image = NSImage(named: "icon_top")
            button.action = #selector(showMenu)
            button.target = self
        }

        showLanguageSwitcher()
    }

    @objc private func showMenu() {

        let menu = NSMenu()

        menu.addItem(NSMenuItem(title: "Close Type Switch", action: #selector(closeApp), keyEquivalent: "q"))

        statusItem?.menu = menu
        statusItem?.button?.performClick(nil)
        statusItem?.menu = nil
    }

    func showLanguageSwitcher() {
        guard languageSwitcherPanel == nil else { return }

        let panel = LanguageSwitchPanel()
        let hostingController = NSHostingController(rootView: LanguageSwitchView())
        panel.contentView = hostingController.view
        panel.makeKeyAndOrderFront(nil)
        NSApp.activate(ignoringOtherApps: true)

        languageSwitcherPanel = panel
    }

    @objc private func closeApp() {
        NSApp.terminate(nil)
    }
}

I tried testing the app on my MacBook models (M1, M2, M3) and all of them functioned as expected, launching the app without any additional windows appearing. I also checked the code for any unintended window launches or containers and could not find any issues.

I expected the app to launch without any extra empty windows or containers, but when Apple tested it, they encountered an issue with an empty window appearing upon launch.

Type Switch: A Convenient Language Switcher for macOS

Maxym Babenko — Mon, 11 Nov 2024 16:51:54 +0000

As a long-time Apple enthusiast who works with English, French, and Polish, I’ve always found macOS's default language-switching tools to be less than ideal for managing multiple languages.

The process feels clunky, and I wanted something more intuitive and efficient. That’s why I decided to create Type Switch — a simple, powerful language-switching tool designed to make multilingual typing effortless.

What is Type Switch?

Type Switch allows users to quickly and easily switch between all languages installed on their system. With a customizable button that can be adjusted for size, color, and opacity, the app is designed to offer a seamless and intuitive experience tailored for multilingual users.

Key Features:

Quick toggling between installed languages.
Customizable button (size, color, opacity).
Optional sound and speech feedback for each language.
Clean, minimal design with a floating switch panel.
Launch at startup for easy access.
Keyboard hotkey [⌃ Ctrl] for quick switching.

Download app: [https://apple.co/3ZmYZXH]

Video: [https://youtu.be/RjXJG9876Zs]

iOS Game “POP FRENZY!” Launches Today!

Maxym Babenko — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 13:18:07 +0000

🎉 Hey everyone! 🎉

I just released my new iOS game, POP FRENZY! It’s a fast-paced game that invites players to engage in the art of popping, inspired by the fascinating physics of particle movement.

Game Features:

Physics-Inspired Gameplay: Interact with elements that reflect the dynamics of particle movement for a distinctive experience.

Fast-Paced Action: Quickly pop matching elements within a time limit, testing your reflexes and quick thinking.

Multiple Game Modes: Enjoy various modes, such as the original mode and "Ghost" mode, each offering different challenges and strategies.

Accessible for All Ages: Easy to pick up, the game provides enjoyment for all skill levels while offering depth for those seeking mastery.

I’d love to hear any comments or feedback! If anyone is interested in downloading it for free, feel free to message me for a promo code!

Download Game: https://apps.apple.com/ua/app/pop-frenzy/id6736933847

Gameplay : https://youtube.com/shorts/RZ_eloa6c_4?si=fDG16KGj0j_4tOBN

Mergeometry! a new iOS game reimagining 2048

Maxym Babenko — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 19:16:37 +0000

Hey everyone!

I just released my puzzle game called Mergeometry, and I’m pretty stoked about it. I wanted to give a fresh take on the classic 2048 game, and I think I’ve done just that with two unique merging modes:

Form Merging Mode: You combine shapes and try to outsmart the game to score points.

Evolution Mode: Here, you merge elements and guide the evolution of life, starting from molecules and going all the way to humans and beyond.

I also added some fun features:

You can customize the grid size and throw in a bomb mode if you’re feeling adventurous.
There are several game modes like Classic, Timed, and Reverse to keep things fresh.

Would love any thoughts or feedback if you decide to give it a go!

Download: https://apps.apple.com/ua/app/mergeometry/id6736862420
Demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvWXsenawP4

I just launched it, so I’m still figuring things out. Would love any thoughts or feedback if you decide to give it a go!