Jonathan Contreras homepageJonathan Contreras
HomeAboutProjectsBlogUsesServicesContact

Jonathan Contreras

Full-Stack Developer & CS Student passionate about creating meaningful digital experiences through code.

Quick Links

HomeAboutProjectsBlogUsesServicesContact

Get in Touch

[email protected]

Houston, TX

GitHubLinkedInRSSResume

© 2026 Jonathan Contreras. All rights reserved.

Jonathan Contreras homepageJonathan Contreras
HomeAboutProjectsBlogUsesServicesContact

What I Use

Here's a breakdown of the tools, hardware, and software that help me build things every day. Whether you're curious about my setup or looking for recommendations, this is the stuff that keeps me productive (and sane).

Hardware

MacBook Pro 16-inch

2021 M1 Pro, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD

My daily driver for everything from coding to design work. The screen real estate is perfect for having VS Code and a browser side-by-side, and it handles everything I throw at it—from React dev servers to Spring Boot backends running simultaneously.

Arzopa S1 Table 15.6" FHD Monitor

1920 x 1080, 60Hz LED panel

Game changer for productivity on the go. I can work from coffee shops or campus without sacrificing the dual-monitor setup I'm used to. Fits perfectly in my backpack alongside the MacBook, and the USB-C connection means one cable powers and displays everything.

Keychron K8

Wireless mechanical keyboard

Love the tactile feedback for long coding sessions, and the wireless connectivity keeps my desk clean. The Mac layout makes it feel native to my workflow, and I can easily switch between devices when I need to.

Logitech MX Master 3S for Mac

Wireless productivity mouse

The ergonomics on this thing are unmatched—I can work for hours without any hand fatigue. The horizontal scroll wheel is perfect for navigating wide codebases, and the customizable buttons speed up my workflow significantly.

Audio

Linsoul KZ ZS10 Pro

These IEMs punch way above their price point. The sound isolation is perfect for focusing in noisy environments, and the audio quality makes debugging with console logs way more pleasant than it should be.

Other Gear

  • •iPhone 13 Pro Max - My daily driver for on-the-go development tasks, testing responsive designs, and staying connected
  • •iPad 10th Gen - Great for sketching UI ideas, reviewing PRs on the go, and taking notes during meetings
  • •USB-C hub - For additional ports when I need ethernet or multiple displays

Software & Tools

Code Editor

VS Code

My editor of choice. Clean, fast, and extensible.

Theme: Catppuccin Mocha

The soft, pastel color palette is easy on the eyes during long coding sessions while still providing great syntax highlighting contrast. I'll update this section with my favorite extensions once I audit what I'm actually using daily—trying to be intentional about keeping my setup lean.

Terminal

Zsh

My shell of choice for its customization options and plugin ecosystem.

Theme: Powerlevel10k

The instant prompt and configurable segments make it fast and informative without being overwhelming. Git status, execution time, and directory context all at a glance.

Plugins

git, zsh-autosuggestions, zsh-syntax-highlighting, web-search

Design Tools

Figma

My go-to for UI/UX design and prototyping. The component system and auto-layout make it easy to iterate quickly, and the collaboration features are perfect for getting feedback from teammates.

Hosting & Deployment

Vercel

My go-to for deploying Next.js projects. Push to main and it's live—can't beat that developer experience. The preview deployments for every PR make collaboration seamless.

AI Tools

Claude (Anthropic)

My coding co-pilot and brainstorming partner. Incredible for architectural decisions, code reviews, and working through complex problems. I use it daily for everything from debugging tricky bugs to planning system architecture.

Development Tools

  • Postman

    Essential for API testing and development. The collection runner and environment variables make it easy to test endpoints across different configurations, and the collaboration features are great for team projects.

  • Docker Desktop

    Containerization for consistent development environments. Makes it easy to spin up databases, services, and entire stacks without cluttering my local machine.

Productivity Apps

  • Obsidian

    My second brain for notes, documentation, and knowledge management. The local-first approach and markdown support make it perfect for technical writing and keeping track of learnings.

  • Vivaldi

    My browser of choice. The tab stacking and workspace features keep me organized when I have dozens of docs, Stack Overflow threads, and localhost ports open simultaneously.

  • Spotify

    My go-to for music while coding. Lo-fi beats and focus playlists help me get into the flow state and stay productive during long coding sessions.

Services & Infrastructure

  • Cloudflare

    My domain registrar and DNS provider. Great pricing, fast DNS propagation, and built-in security features like DDoS protection make it an easy choice for managing domains.

  • iCloud

    Seamless cloud storage across all my Apple devices. Perfect for backing up important files and keeping everything in sync between my MacBook, iPad, and iPhone.

Development Stack

I wrote a detailed breakdown of my 2026 tech stack on my blog—covering everything from React 19 and Next.js 16 to backend choices and AI integration tools. Check it out here for the full rundown and why I chose each tool.

Why This Page?

I've always found /uses pages helpful when discovering new tools or seeing how other developers work. If any of this resonates with you or you have suggestions for tools I should check out, reach out or connect with me on GitHub.

Last updated: February 2026