Productivity

Arc

Modern browser built for designers with visual workspaces, split view, built-in notes, and custom CSS per site

CleanShot X

Mac-native screenshot tool with scrolling capture, annotation, background removal, OCR, and cloud hosting

CloudApp

Screenshot and screen recording tool that automatically uploads and creates shareable links

Craft

Native Mac and iOS note-taking app with elegant design, collaboration features, and powerful organization for design documentation

Dropbox

Cloud storage service for syncing files across devices and sharing large design files with teams

Droplr

Cloud-based screenshot capture and file sharing tool that creates instant shareable links for Mac users

Eagle

Visual asset manager for organizing design inspiration, references, icons, and project files with tagging and smart folders

Ember

Mac app for collecting, organizing, and annotating design inspiration with screenshots and web captures

GitHub

Code hosting and version control platform that designers use for design system repos, portfolio sites, and team collaboration

LICEcap

Lightweight, free screen recorder that captures directly to GIF format for quick demos and tutorials

LittleIpsum

Mac menu bar app that generates lorem ipsum placeholder text instantly with keyboard shortcuts

Loom

Async video messaging tool for recording screen and camera to share design walkthroughs, feedback, and updates

Nova

Native Mac code editor from Panic with integrated file management, Git, terminal, and live preview

Obsidian

Markdown-based note-taking app with bidirectional links and local storage for building a design research archive

Pen and Paper

Analog sketching tools for capturing ideas, wireframing, and design thinking before digital work

Pixa

Mac app for organizing design files, screenshots, and images with tagging and smart folders

Play by Play

Desktop Mac app for browsing Dribbble shots with customizable notifications and activity tracking

Raycast

Modern productivity launcher for Mac with quick file access, clipboard history, and design tool extensions

Reflector

Mac and Windows app for wirelessly mirroring and recording iPhone, iPad, and Android screens via AirPlay and Cast

Skitch

Evernote-owned screenshot tool for quick image annotation with arrows, text, and shapes

Slicy

Mac app that automatically exported Photoshop layer groups as images based on naming conventions

Stark

Accessibility plugin for Figma, Sketch, and Adobe XD that checks color contrast, simulates color blindness, and suggests alt text

Sublime Text

Sophisticated text editor for code, markup, and prose with instant performance and powerful editing features

Vim

Highly configurable modal text editor that lets you edit code without touching the mouse

Work in Progress

24-hour ephemeral content feature on Behance for sharing design work and getting quick feedback

Zight

Screenshot and screen recording tool that automatically uploads and creates shareable links

iA Writer

Minimal writing app focused on Markdown with Focus Mode, cross-platform sync, and clean typography