This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by DCT Technology Pvt. Ltd.
If you’re still thinking productivity = writing more code faster… you’re missing the real game.
Senior developers don’t just code more — they think better, automate smarter, debug faster, and collaborate effortlessly. And while Git is essential, it’s just one piece of the toolbox.
Let’s go beyond Git and dive into the secret weapons senior devs swear by (but rarely talk about).
1. Dotfiles: Your Dev Environment, Supercharged
Ever noticed how senior devs set up a new system in minutes and everything just works?
Their secret? Dotfiles.
Think of dotfiles as your personal dev setup — aliases, editor configs, plugins — all version-controlled and portable.
Here’s a popular starter repo you can fork:
Mathias’s dotfiles
Want to try it yourself?
git clone https://github.com/yourname/dotfiles.git
cd dotfiles
./install.sh
Now every new machine feels like home.
2. Tmux: Terminal Multiplexing Like a Pro
If you’re opening 10 terminal tabs to run your servers, editors, logs — stop.
Use tmux to split terminals, switch sessions, and persist workflows even if you disconnect.
Here’s a killer Tmux config to start:
https://github.com/gpakosz/.tmux
Combine it with Vim or Neovim, and you’ll feel like a hacker from the Matrix.
3. Ripgrep + Fzf = Instant Code Search
Forget grep
, or clicking endlessly in VS Code search.
Use ripgrep with fzf for blazing-fast fuzzy search across projects.
Example usage:
rg "TODO" | fzf
Find anything. Anywhere. Instantly.
4. HTTPie: Curl, But Human-Friendly
Curl is powerful, but painful.
HTTPie makes testing APIs delightful.
http POST https://api.example.com/users name='Bhavya' age:=25
Readable. Beautiful. Debuggable.
Want GUI? Try HTTPie for Web & Desktop.
5. Postgres + PgHero: Know Your Queries
Great devs understand performance.
Use PgHero to monitor slow queries, index usage, and DB health without logging in to the DB.
Even better? Deploy it alongside your app with a simple config.
For a deeper dive:
Postgres Indexing Explained
6. Task Runners: Just Automate It
# Taskfile.yml
tasks:
setup:
cmds:
- npm install
- cp .env.example .env
Then just run:
task setup
Works like magic across teams.
7. Package Managers Beyond npm: Brew, ASDF & More
You probably use npm
, but what about:
-
brew
for macOS/Linux dev tools → https://brew.sh -
asdf
for managing multiple versions of Node, Python, etc → https://asdf-vm.com
Run different Node versions per project? ASDF makes it easy:
asdf install nodejs 18.17.0
asdf global nodejs 18.17.0
Boom! Version conflicts solved.
8. 1Password CLI or Doppler: Secrets Management Done Right
Stop pushing .env
files into Git. Please.
Use Doppler or 1Password CLI to manage secrets securely across environments.
Bonus: Rotate secrets and manage team access with zero friction.
9. DevDocs + Dash: Docs That Work Offline & Fast
Reading docs should be lightning-fast.
Fast lookup = fewer tab switches = more flow state.
10. gh CLI: GitHub Power in Your Terminal
Why switch to browser when you can:
gh pr create
gh repo clone
gh issue list
Explore GitHub CLI here.
Speed up reviews, issues, PRs, and release workflows — all without leaving the terminal.
Ready to Go Beyond?
These tools aren’t just “nice to have.” They compound your productivity.
Pick just one or two from above, set them up, and you’ll feel the difference within days.
Which one have you tried before? Or is there a hidden gem you’d recommend that’s not on this list?
Drop it in the comments!
For more dev productivity tips, real-world engineering tools, and tech insights that go beyond the basics —
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This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by DCT Technology Pvt. Ltd.