MyThoughts

About

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Hi, I’m Shakeeb

Solution Architect with 16+ years of experience designing and building cloud-native systems. Based in Michigan.

This blog is where I write about the tools, setups, and workflows that help me do better work — from terminal setups and Mac apps to travel and everyday gear.

What I Write About

Mac & Developer Tools — apps, terminal setups, productivity workflows
Gear & Setup — the hardware and peripherals I rely on
Travel — family road trips and places worth exploring

Get in Touch

Have a question or just want to say hi? Find me online or subscribe to the RSS feed to follow along.

App for Mac

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

A Better Way to Work on Mac

Over 16 years of building on macOS, I’ve found a small set of apps that genuinely improve how I work every day. Not every app that promises productivity actually delivers — these ones do.

Productivity

Things 3 — The best task manager on any platform. Clean design, fast keyboard shortcuts, and it never gets in the way. I’ve tried everything else. Nothing comes close.

Desk Setup

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

My Workspace

This is the setup I’ve built over the years for focused, comfortable work as a Solution Architect. I’ll keep it updated as things change.

The Desk

Flexispot Standing Desk Sit-stand desk with a programmable height controller. Standing for a few hours each day has made a noticeable difference in energy levels during long work sessions.

Display

Samsung 27" 4K Monitor A 27" 4K display mounted on an arm to keep the desk surface clear. The extra resolution makes a real difference for reading documentation and working across multiple windows.

Gear

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

What I Use

Hardware and accessories I rely on daily as a Solution Architect. I’ll keep this updated as things change.

Computer

MacBook Pro 14" (M3 Pro) My primary machine. Fast, quiet, and the battery life is exceptional. The M3 Pro chip handles anything I throw at it — local builds, Docker, video calls — without breaking a sweat.

Audio

Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones Best noise-cancelling headphones I’ve owned. Essential for deep work in noisy environments or on calls. The ANC is good enough to make an open office feel like a private room.

Upper Michigan Family Road Trip

Sun, 05 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is one of those hidden gems that feels worlds away from the suburbs. Planning a 3-day family trip (family of 4) from Farmington, MI — can’t wait to explore it.

Best time to go: Mid-July to Mid-August

Day 1 — Drive Up & Waterfalls

Farmington → Munising · ~5 hour drive

7:00 AM — Depart Farmington Hit the road early to make the most of the day. Pack snacks and charge the tablets!

A Smart Terminal

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

For developers who spend countless hours in the terminal, having a powerful and customizable environment is essential. iTerm2 transforms the standard terminal experience with features that boost productivity and make command-line work more enjoyable.

Key Features

iTerm2 offers several advantages over the default macOS Terminal:

Split-pane views for multiple terminal sessions
Robust search functionality
Command history and autocomplete
Custom color schemes and themes
Integrated password manager
SSH connection manager
Customizable keyboard shortcuts

Installation Guide

Prerequisites

First, install Homebrew - The Package Manager for macOS: