The best tools are the ones you forget about. They do their job quietly, without demanding attention, configuration, or constant decisions.
Over time, I noticed that the tools I rely on most are rarely the ones with the longest feature lists. They’re the ones that stay out of the way and let me focus on the actual problem I’m trying to solve.
When building developer tools , the goal should be to reduce cognitive load - not add to it. Every feature should justify its existence. Every configuration option should solve a real, recurring problem, not a hypothetical edge case.
I’ve built and used tools that tried to be too flexible, too configurable, and too clever. Most of the time, that flexibility turned into friction. Instead of helping, the tool became something I had to manage, learn, and adapt to.
Saying “no” to features is often harder than adding them. But sensible defaults, predictable behavior, and a clear primary use case usually lead to better tools than endless customization.
I prefer tools that work the way I expect them to. Tools that don’t require me to learn their quirks or work around their limitations. If I have to stop and think about the tool itself, something is already wrong.
A good tool should feel boring in the best possible way.
Predictable. Clear. Reliable
If it fades into the background and lets me focus on my work, it’s doing its job.