I build with a small but powerful stack - simple enough to manage on my own, flexible enough to grow with me. I am definitely a backend developer in my mind. I love to pay attention to frontend but I don't get excited by it or javascript.
BACKEND
Django
My foundation. I use it for everything that needs structure including user accounts, dashboards, ecommerce, and APIs. It handles authentication, routing, and database management so I can focus on the logic that matters.
Frontend
Tailwind CSS (v4)
Fast, visual, and tidy. I like how it keeps me inside my HTML instead of juggling CSS files.
Every project now starts with my brand colour variables and a few custom components I have built along the way. I still appreciate css though for when things need a steady fix.
AI Tools
ChatGPT (GPT-5). For debugging, planning, building and writing.
Claude.ai. For long-form explanations and reflection when I want to understand why something works. Also at the start of a build and for debugging until it puts me in timeout. This will probably be my final month with Claude.
Between the two, I rarely get stuck. They have become part of my workflow - like having mentors who never run out of patience.
Hosting
Hetzner VPS + Hestia Control Panel
Self-managed hosting gives me complete control. I deploy with Git, manage Nginx directly, and track logs through the terminal. It took time to set up and I only managed it thanks to Claude.ai. Now I know exactly how my projects run and that peace of mind is worth it. Plus it has saved me a fortune in monthly managed fees.
Version Control
Git + GitHub
Every important project is versioned, and I keep clean branches for local and production.
I use GitHub mainly for tracking progress - commits have become my way of logging learning moments, not just code.
Database
PostgreSQL
Reliable and well-integrated with Django. I use it for all production projects.
It’s fast, flexible, and lets me test new features without worrying about data loss.
Development Environment
Windows 11 + WSL2 (Ubuntu)
It gives me the best of both worlds - a clean Linux backend for Django, and Windows tools for design, writing, and version control. When I open my terminal, it goes straight to my /dev directory. That small tweak makes me feel like I’m walking into my workspace.
What Matters Most
This setup fits how I work: build small, test often, and keep learning.
I have tried bigger stacks including learning Astro and Next.js for frontend, but this current tech stack keeps me grounded, productive, and calm - exactly where I want to be as a developer still learning every day.
Thanks for sharing:
