The Best Tools I Use Aren't AI Tools

I spend a lot of time in AI tools. It’s part of my job. But the truth is, most of my actual work happens in tools that have nothing to do with AI.

The Boring Stack

Here’s what I use every single day:

VSCode for writing. Google Sheets for tracking. Git for version control. Terminal for everything else.

No AI. No fancy automation. Just basic tools that do one thing well.

When I need to draft something, I open VSCode. When I need to track data, I open Sheets. When something breaks, I check Git.

AI tools are great for specific tasks. Claude helps me think through problems. ChatGPT speeds up research. But they’re supplements, not replacements.

Why Basic Tools Win

They’re fast. They’re reliable. They don’t break when the API goes down.

They don’t require a monthly subscription or a complex setup. They just work.

Most work still needs basic infrastructure. You still need a place to write. You still need a way to organize data. You still need version control.

AI can help with some of those tasks. But it can’t replace the fundamental infrastructure.

The AI Hype Problem

Everyone wants to talk about AI workflows and AI-first companies. But the reality is that most work still happens in text editors and spreadsheets.

If you’re building something, don’t assume AI will solve everything. Start with the basic tools that work. Add AI where it actually helps.

If you’re choosing tools, prioritize reliability over novelty. The boring stack exists for a reason.

The Bottom Line

AI is useful. But it’s not the foundation. The foundation is still text files, spreadsheets, and version control.

Build on that. Everything else is optional.

For more thoughts on building with practical tools, check out my other posts. And if you’re looking for workflow automation that actually works, take a look at Process Street.