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M. Akbar Nugroho
M. Akbar Nugroho

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✨ 5 useful productivity apps for every developer!

Introduction

When we're working on a project, it's not only about writing and compiling code. You may take a note, schedule your meeting, or even make illustration for your technical documentation.

Hopefully, theres a tons of software which can help you to achieve those purpose and today I'll share you my 5 most productivity apps I use!

BTW, this is my personal recommendation. If you have valuable preference, don't hesitate to share with me! 😉

Notion

Notion thumbnail

Alright! Please welcome, our first place. Notion!

Who don't know about Notion? All-in-one, feature rich note taking apps where you can do almost all note taking activity. From making simple note even more advanced one.

Notion allows you to organise your notes, documentation, timeline or even calendar. A perfect apps for you who wont use many apps to make something. Notion includes it in one place!

🤔: I use Linux, does it support for Linux?

Don't be worry you've covered. Even though Notion doesn't have official apps for Linux, but luckily there unofficial Notion distribution on Snapcraft. So, as long as you have Snap installed then you are ready to install Notion!

Excalidraw

Excalidraw thumbnail

So, you like drawing your idea? Clarify your argument by illustrate it? I think Excalidraw is perfect match for you!

I also use it for my daily, like this post below.

Even better, Excalidraw also has many libraries that you can use for free!

Excalidraw Libraries

A directory of public libraries that you can easily add to Excalidraw.

favicon libraries.excalidraw.com

🤔: I want to use it on my machine

Ofc you can! Excalidraw is open source project hosted on GitHub. You can clone and run it on your local machine or even your own server.

GitHub logo excalidraw / excalidraw

Virtual whiteboard for sketching hand-drawn like diagrams

Excalidraw

An open source virtual hand-drawn style whiteboard.
Collaborative and end-to-end encrypted.


Excalidraw is released under the MIT license. npm downloads/month PRs welcome! Chat on Discord Follow Excalidraw on Twitter

Product showcase

Create beautiful hand-drawn like diagrams, wireframes, or whatever you like.

Features

The Excalidraw editor (npm package) supports:

  • 💯 Free & open-source.
  • 🎨 Infinite, canvas-based whiteboard.
  • ✍️ Hand-drawn like style.
  • 🌓 Dark mode.
  • 🏗️ Customizable.
  • 📷 Image support.
  • 😀 Shape libraries support.
  • 👅 Localization (i18n) support.
  • 🖼️ Export to PNG, SVG & clipboard.
  • 💾 Open format - export drawings as an .excalidraw json file.
  • ⚒️ Wide range of tools - rectangle, circle, diamond, arrow, line, free-draw, eraser...
  • ➡️ Arrow-binding & labeled arrows.
  • 🔙 Undo / Redo.
  • 🔍 Zoom and panning support.

Excalidraw.com

The app hosted at excalidraw.com is a minimal showcase of what you can build with Excalidraw. Its source code is part of this repository as well, and the app features:

  • 📡 PWA support (works offline).
  • 🤼 Real-time collaboration.
  • 🔒 End-to-end…




Postman

Postman thumbnail

Postman is not only about HTTP Agent. It's more than that! Postman is collaboration platform that bridge back-end, front-end, and QA in one place.

It makes easy to document your APIs endpoint and share it to everyone. Postman also gives you ability to make API mock and much more. And the latest version of Postman is also supports gRPC 😍.

So, when your front-end or QA ask you about APIs endpoint. Don't be afraid. Just send them the Postman Collection and you can continue your work 😁.

Sublime Merge

Sublime Merge thumbnail

My very loved Git GUI apps! Simple, lightweight, and very fast! No more working with CLI 😁

Sublime Merge offers you to use Git in a simple way. From commit, manage your branch, even cherry picking!

It's so powerful to work with Git, but very light. A perfect match for you who want minimalist, on point, and powerful Git GUI.

Habitica

Habitica thumbnail

Let's be honest, working is one of most boring activity we like (because it generates money for use hohoho). But, how about to gamify it? I think it's more fun, tho? If so, Habitica is the right choice!

Habitica let's you gamify your life like RPG game. You doing something, getting points, and receive reward!

It's better than doing something, finish it, and go to sleep right? 😁

Summary

For me, those apps is very useful for my daily use. From taking notes, documenting project, collaboration activity, and even for fun.

I prefer minimal and not bloated apps in my computer which focus to all-in-one features. Because I want to make my self productive and make my work easy.

Sometimes, too much apps could distract and lead you to confusion. Choosing a right apps is tricky because everyone has their preferences. But, if I could, I want to suggest you to choose productivity apps that simple and has features that everyone easy to access.

If you work in personal, all choice is yours! But, if you work on team which requires you to collaborate each other, you can give it a try my list above!

Btw, at the end. Your goals is to make your job done. And all preferences is yours. If you have any suggestion don't hesitate to comment below!

Thanks for coming. See ya!

Top comments (10)

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alexk profile image
Alex Kaul

Thanks for sharing!
Another productivity app: Freeter.
Here is a post on how I boosted my productivity with it: dev.to/alexk/how-i-boosted-my-prod...

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thexdev profile image
M. Akbar Nugroho

That's awesome, Alex! Thanks for the feedback

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sc0v0ne profile image
sc0v0ne

Thanks !!! Very good Habitica

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thexdev profile image
M. Akbar Nugroho

One of my favorite 😍

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martinbaun profile image
Martin Baun • Edited

I was crossing my fingers hoping I'd find goleko on here :)
Fantastic list nonetheless :))

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thexdev profile image
M. Akbar Nugroho • Edited

Thanks for sharing, Martin. I'll visit goleko soon 😉

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martinbaun profile image
Martin Baun

Thank you, friend! :)

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msarapai profile image
Mataio Sarapai Jr.

Such a great resource here. Thanks for sharing!

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dima_goldin_9fde362fd88ff profile image
Dima Goldin

Actually a useful post! Thanks. Didn't know about the notion Linux app and the excalidraw app.

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thexdev profile image
M. Akbar Nugroho

Your welcome!