Chris Daugaard

My Tech Arsenal:
From Code to Creativity

Here's a comprehensive list of my go-to tools for development, design, and productivity. Whether it's crafting code, designing visuals, or managing tasks, these are the tools that power my day-to-day life.

Backend

  • PHP

    14+ years of experience crafting robust server-side solutions. From procedural to OOP, I've seen PHP evolve into a powerful modern language.

  • Laravel

    10+ years mastering the art of elegant PHP. Laravel's expressive syntax and rich ecosystem make building complex applications a joy.

  • MySQL

    Expert in database design, optimization, and complex queries. From schema design to performance tuning, I ensure data flows efficiently.

  • REST APIs

    Designing and implementing scalable RESTful services. From authentication to rate limiting, I build APIs that developers love to use.

  • Queues & Caching

    Optimizing application performance with Redis, job queues, and strategic caching. Making apps blazing fast and scalable.

Frontend

  • React & React Native

    Building interactive UIs and cross-platform mobile apps. From web to iOS and Android with a single codebase.

  • Vue.js

    Creating reactive, component-based interfaces. Vue's simplicity and flexibility make it perfect for rapid prototyping and production apps.

  • Livewire

    Full-stack framework for Laravel that makes building dynamic interfaces simple, without leaving the comfort of PHP.

  • Alpine.js

    The perfect lightweight framework for sprinkling JavaScript behavior directly in markup. Simplicity at its finest.

  • Tailwind CSS

    Utility-first CSS that lets me build beautiful, responsive designs directly in HTML. No more context switching between files.

DevOps

  • Linux (Ubuntu)

    Managing production servers with confidence. From system administration to security hardening, Linux is my second home.

  • Nginx

    High-performance web server configuration and optimization. Load balancing, reverse proxying, and SSL management.

  • AWS

    Leveraging cloud services for scalable infrastructure. EC2, S3, RDS, and more - building resilient cloud architectures.

  • CI/CD Pipelines

    Automating deployments with GitHub Actions and other tools. From commit to production with confidence and speed.

  • Docker

    Containerizing applications for consistent development and deployment. Making "it works on my machine" a thing of the past.

Testing

  • PHPUnit

    Comprehensive unit and feature testing for PHP applications. Ensuring code reliability through automated test suites.

  • Pest PHP

    Elegant testing framework with a beautiful API. Making tests readable, maintainable, and actually enjoyable to write.

  • Test-Driven Development

    Writing tests first to drive better design decisions. Red, green, refactor - building confidence with every commit.

Integrations

  • Stripe

    Implementing secure payment processing and subscription management. From one-time payments to complex billing cycles.

  • Salesforce

    Building custom integrations with Salesforce CRM. Syncing data, automating workflows, and extending functionality.

  • Third-party APIs

    Integrating with countless services - from social media to shipping providers. Making applications talk to the world.

Laravel Ecosystem

  • Laravel Nova

    Beautiful administration panels that users actually enjoy using. Customizable, extensible, and incredibly powerful.

  • Filament

    Modern admin panel framework built on the TALL stack. Rapid development without sacrificing flexibility.

  • Laravel Horizon

    Beautiful dashboard for Redis queue monitoring. Keeping tabs on background jobs has never been easier.

  • Laravel Echo

    Real-time event broadcasting made simple. WebSockets without the complexity.

Development Tools

  • Laravel Herd

    Lightning-fast native Laravel development environment. One-click PHP version switching and site management - development made delightful.

  • Claude Code

    AI-powered coding assistant that understands context and writes production-ready code. My pair programmer that never sleeps.

  • PhpStorm

    The ultimate PHP IDE. Intelligent code completion, refactoring, and debugging make complex projects manageable.

  • VS Code

    Lightweight yet powerful editor for frontend work. Perfect for React, Vue, and everything JavaScript.

  • Tinkerwell

    Interactive PHP and Laravel scratchpad. Test ideas, debug issues, and explore code in real-time.

  • TablePlus

    Native database management that doesn't suck. Fast, intuitive, and works with everything from MySQL to Redis.

  • Expose

    Share local sites instantly with secure tunnels. Perfect for client demos and webhook testing.

  • HELO

    Catch and inspect emails during development. No more accidentally sending test emails to real users.

  • Git & GitHub

    Version control done right. Branching, merging, and collaborating with developers worldwide.

  • Postman

    API development and testing made simple. Building, documenting, and sharing APIs with ease.

Design Tools

  • Illustrator

    For vector graphics and illustrations, Illustrator is my creative companion.

  • Photoshop

    When it comes to image editing and manipulation, Photoshop is unmatched.

  • Indesign

    For layout designs, from brochures to digital publications, Indesign is my choice.

  • Figma

    An essential tool for UI/UX design, prototyping, and collaboration.

Productivity

  • Obsidian

    A markdown-based knowledge base that helps me organize my thoughts and projects.

  • Asana

    For project management, Asana keeps me and my team on track with tasks and deadlines.

  • Spotify and Windows Focus

    The perfect duo for maintaining focus and productivity with the right tunes.

  • Google Gsuite

    An all-in-one suite for email, document creation, and collaboration.

  • ChatGPT Plus

    A recent addition, but invaluable for brainstorming and quickly drafting code or content ideas.

Workstation

  • Dell Precision 7760 Workstation

    A powerhouse that handles all my heavy-duty programming and design tasks.

  • Dell 27 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) USB-C Monitor - S2722QC

    Offers stunning visuals and enhances my multitasking capabilities.

  • Logitech M550 Wireless Mouse w/Silent Clicks

    Comfortable, efficient, and silent - perfect for late night coding sessions and won't wake the spouse with the clicketly click clicks.

Operating System

  • Windows 11

    The latest Windows OS, offering a smooth and modern user experience that complements my development and design workflow.