6 things I keep open next to my code editor, and they make my workflow productive

Published Sep 11, 2026, 5:30 PM EDT Beginning his professional journey in the tech industry in 2018, Yash spent over three years as a Software Engineer. After that, he shifted his focus to empowering readers through informative and engaging content on his tech blog – DiGiTAL BiRYANi. He has also published tech articles for MakeTechEasier. He loves to explore new tech gadgets and platforms. When he is not writing, you’ll find him exploring food. He is known as Digital Chef Yash among his readers because of his love for Technology and Food. When I sit down to code, my editor takes up most of the screen, but it’s never working alone. Over time, I’ve built a small lineup of apps that I keep open throughout the day. They help me handle the different parts of development without turning my desktop into a sea of browser tabs. I don’t open these apps because they look impressive or promise better productivity. They’re simply tools I’ve found useful enough to keep around every time I code. Notes app is always within reach My ideas need a home too I keep Obsidian open next to my code editor because I’m constantly thinking of things that I don’t want to lose. It might be a quick idea for something I want to build, a solution I want to try later, or a thought that comes to me while I’m working. I’d rather write it down immediately than trust myself to remember it. Obsidian works well for this because I can keep my notes simple and organized without turning note-taking into another complicated task. I have separate notes for different ideas, and I can quickly jump between them when I need to. It has become the place where I put thoughts that are useful but don’t belong in my code or editor. Task manager keeps my day on track My day stays on the rails Asana stays open because my workday includes more than the code I’m currently writing. I use it to keep track of what I need to finish, what I’m waiting on, and what I want to tackle next. Having that list visible helps me stay focused without trying to remember every small responsibility in my head. I like being able to break larger pieces of work into smaller tasks and mark them off as I go. It gives me a clear sense of progress, especially on days when I’m working on several things at once. I also use due dates when something needs to be finished by a specific time. For me, Asana is simply a reliable place to see what needs my attention. PDF reader handles the documents I actually need For those PDFs I keep checking SumatraPDF stays open because I regularly need to check PDFs while I’m working. These can be manuals, guides, specifications, or other reference documents. I keep it beside my code editor so I can quickly switch to a document when I need to verify something. I often use it to search through longer documents, jump between pages, and keep a reference open while I continue working. It also supports several common document formats, which means I don’t need a separate app for every file I come across. I don’t use my PDF reader constantly, but I like having it ready when I need it. It saves me from interrupting my workflow just to open and check a document. Git Bash is a must-have My everyday gateway to Git Git Bash is one of the first apps I open when I start working. I use it for the Git commands I need throughout the day, especially when I’m checking branches, committing changes, or moving between different parts of a project. I also rely on it for everyday command-line work. Running scripts, navigating folders, creating files, and handling small development tasks feels natural from the terminal. Since Git Bash gives me a familiar Unix-style command line on Windows, I don’t have to change the way I work just because I’m using a Windows machine. I usually keep Git Bash positioned next to my code editor. That makes it easy to run a command, check the result, and immediately return to my code without disrupting my workflow. API Client lets me test my code The fastest way to test endpoints Bruno stays open whenever I’m working on anything that involves APIs. I use it to send requests and see exactly what the server sends back. This is useful when I’m building or changing an endpoint and want to check its behavior before connecting it to the rest of the application. I can quickly switch between different requests, change parameters, add headers, and inspect the response. I also like being able to keep my API requests organized by project, so I can return to them without setting everything up again. Having Bruno beside my code editor makes testing feel like a natural part of development. I can make a change, send a request, look at the response, and continue working. It gives me a quick way to see whether my backend is behaving as expected. Figma is a true companion of any developer My visual guide while I build Figma stays open because I often need to see the design while I’m writing code. Instead of switching back and forth between different windows, I can keep the design visible and use it as a reference while building the interface. I use it to check things like spacing, layout, colors, typography, and how different elements are arranged. Having those details in front of me makes it easier to translate a design into actual code without relying on memory. I also find it useful for understanding the bigger picture of a page. I can look at different screens and see how the interface is supposed to work together. For me, Figma bridges the gap between design and development. It gives me a clear visual reference while I’m turning an idea into a working interface. My editor has plenty of company I used to think I needed a browser open beside my editor for almost everything. Now, I’ve realized that a good coding setup is more about having the right tools within reach. Each app on my desktop has a clear purpose, and together they make my workday feel more organized. I don’t need dozens of tabs competing for my attention. Sometimes, keeping the browser out of the way is exactly what helps me stay focused on the work in front of me.