Tools That Actually Improve My Dev Workflow (No Magic, Just Results)
In recent years, we’ve seen a flood of “AI-powered” developer tools promising to change everything.
But in practice, what really makes a difference are tools that solve real problems without breaking your flow.
Here are a few that I actually use — tools that help me ship cleaner code, think more clearly, and stay productive in real-world projects.
1. Cursor (cursor.so)
A VS Code-based editor with deep AI integration and project-aware context.
I use it to:
- Refactor large files confidently
- Generate tests based on actual UseCases
- Ask questions about code without switching focus
2. GitHub Copilot
Great for fast autocompletion.
It helps me:
- Avoid boilerplate
- Generate function scaffolding
- Stay in the flow during repetitive tasks
3. ChatGPT (with custom project prompt)
I run it locally with a custom prompt tuned for my architecture.
It helps with:
- Endpoint specification
- Validation rule generation
- Logging and error messaging suggestions
4. Sweep.dev
An experimental tool for automated pull request creation and review.
Very useful in larger projects where consistency and test coverage matter.
5. n8n + Custom APIs
I use n8n to automate workflows using APIs I build myself.
Examples:
- Bulk data updates
- Internal alerts via Telegram or Slack
- Scheduled report generation
Bonus: My Project – WindSurf
I'm applying all of this in a real-world experiment called WindSurf — an open-source project where the goal is to:
- Combine AI assistance with Clean Architecture
- Apply structured patterns like UseCases, DTOs, and the Result Pattern
- Keep the codebase clean, testable, and well-documented
- Enforce rules through Markdown + Regex + CI pipelines
WindSurf is where I test what it actually means to build with AI — not just prompt it.
Final Thoughts
The goal isn’t to chase the trendiest tools.
It’s to build a workflow that helps you think better, code faster, and deliver with confidence.
No magic.
Just tools that amplify what you already know — and help you go further.
What are the tools that actually make a difference in your dev workflow?
I’m always open to discovering new ones — feel free to share!
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