I'm always on the hunt for utilities that make the daily grind a little smoother. Whether it's fixing a broken line of code, managing a messy clipboard, or just making a presentation look decent, the right tool saves you a headache.
Here is a roundup of 7 tools I've been using lately. Some are classics, and some are new finds that deserve a spot in your dock.
CopyQ
If you are still using the standard system clipboard, you are doing it wrong. We’ve all been there: you copy something, then copy something else, and realize you lost that first link forever.
CopyQ is an advanced clipboard manager that completely fixes this. Unlike basic tools, CopyQ is a beast—it supports searchable history, images, and even allows you to organize your clips into tabs. It’s open-source, scriptable, and works beautifully on Windows, Linux, and macOS. If you are a power user who needs to juggle code snippets and text all day, this is the upgrade you need.
- *Check it out: * https://hluk.github.io/CopyQ
ServBay
I used to hate setting up local dev environments. Dealing with version conflicts and messing with config files is just a drain on time. I recently started using ServBay, and it's been a breath of fresh air for macOS development.
It's an all-in-one local dev manager. You can one-click deploy environments for pretty much anything — Python, Rust, Go, Node.js, and PHP. It also handles your databases (both SQL and NoSQL) and sorts out SSL certificates and local tunneling without the usual command-line wrestling.
But the standout feature for me right now is the local AI deployment. ServBay allows you to spin up a local AI model with a single click. If you are experimenting with LLMs but don't want the hassle of manual setup, this is the way to do it.
- Check it out: https://www.servbay.com
Beyond Compare
Sometimes you just need to know exactly what changed between two files, and staring at code side-by-side isn't enough. Beyond Compare is the industry standard for a reason.
It handles files, directories, and even ZIP archives. The visual interface highlights differences in a way that is easy to scan, whether you are comparing source code, verifying a backup, or syncing folders. It's powerful, reliable, and saves you from making bad merge mistakes.
- Check it out: https://www.scootersoftware.com/
OutSystems
Low-code platforms get a bad rap sometimes, but OutSystems is the real deal for enterprise-grade stuff. If you need to build a complex application fast and don't want to spend months on the boilerplate, this is a solid option.
It lets you build visually but still allows you to inject custom code when you need to break out of the box. It's particularly good if you need to integrate with existing legacy systems but want a modern front end. It speeds up the "boring" parts of development significantly.
- Check it out: https://www.outsystems.com/
Wireshark
This is one of those tools you hope you don't need, but when you do, it saves the day. Wireshark is a network protocol analyzer. In simple terms: it lets you see what is happening on your network at a microscopic level.
If your app is failing to connect to an API, or you are seeing weird latency spikes, Wireshark captures the traffic and lets you inspect the packets. It has a steep learning curve, but for diagnosing network issues, nothing beats it.
- Check it out: https://www.wireshark.org/
Ray.so
We have all seen those beautiful screenshots of code on Twitter or technical blogs—the ones with the nice gradients and drop shadows. Chances are, they were made with Ray.so.
Stop taking jagged screenshots of your IDE. Ray.so lets you paste your code, choose a syntax highlighting theme, pick a background gradient, and export a high-quality image. It's a simple aesthetic tool, but it makes your documentation or social posts look much more professional.
- Check it out: https://ray.so/
Jex.im
This is a fun one. Jex.im (specifically their ASCII art tools) is great for when you need to visualize text or create retro-style animations.
While it's a bit more niche, tools like this are perfect for spicing up a README.md file or adding some flair to a terminal-based project. It's a nice reminder that computing can still be fun and visually creative without needing a heavy graphics engine.
- Check it out: https://jex.im/regulex/
Wrapping Up
Building a reliable software stack is always a work in progress. While you definitely don’t need to install every new app that hits Product Hunt, finding the right utility can make those repetitive, annoying tasks disappear.
These seven have earned their keep on my hard drive lately, whether it’s for heavy lifting like ServBay or just making things look nice with Ray.so. Give a couple of them a spin and see if they fit your style.
If I missed a hidden gem that you swear by, drop a comment below—I’m always looking for something new to test drive.
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