# Tools

> Tools Haytham A. Salama recommends for AI, development, design, writing, productivity, media, documents and the browser.

Page: https://haythamasalama.me/tools

## AI assistants

Ask, research and think things through.

- [Claude](https://claude.ai/): Thinking partner for writing, research and code. (Web & app, a favourite)
- [ChatGPT](https://chatgpt.com/): General-purpose assistant for questions and drafts. (Web & app)
- [Gemini](https://gemini.google.com/): Google's assistant, connected to its apps. (Web & app)
- [NotebookLM](https://notebooklm.google.com/): Ask questions about your own documents and notes. (Web)
- [Perplexity](https://www.perplexity.ai/): Answers with the sources linked. (Web & app)

## AI for code

Agents and editors that write code with you.

- [Claude Code](https://www.anthropic.com/claude-code): An agent that reads, edits and ships code in your repo. (CLI & editor, a favourite)
- [Cursor](https://cursor.com/): A code editor built around AI. (Editor)
- [GitHub Copilot](https://github.com/features/copilot): Code suggestions and chat inside your editor. (Editor)
- [v0](https://v0.app/): Describe a UI and get working React and Tailwind. (Web)

## AI for audio & video

Voices and sound for videos and lessons.

- [ElevenLabs](https://elevenlabs.io/): Natural voice-overs for videos and lessons. (Web)

## Web development

Inspect, test and debug websites.

- [Fake Filler](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/fake-filler/bnjjngeaknajbdcgpfkgnonkmififhfo): Fills forms with random data so testing goes faster. (Extension, a favourite)
- [JSON Viewer](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/json-viewer/gbmdgpbipfallnflgajpaliibnhdgobh): Readable, collapsible JSON right in the browser. (Extension, a favourite)
- [Wappalyzer](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/wappalyzer-technology-pro/gppongmhjkpfnbhagpmjfkannfbllamg): Reveals the stack behind any website. (Extension, a favourite)
- [WhatFont](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/whatfont/jabopobgcpjmedljpbcaablpmlmfcogm): Identify the font on any page with one click. (Extension, a favourite)
- [SimilarSites](https://www.similarsites.com/): Find websites similar to one you already like. (Web)

## Code screenshots

Turn code into images worth sharing.

- [Carbon](https://carbon.now.sh/): Beautiful, shareable screenshots of your code. (Web, a favourite)
- [CodeSnap](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=adpyke.codesnap): Code screenshots straight from your editor. (VS Code, a favourite)
- [Ray.so](https://ray.so/): Polished code images with great themes, by Raycast. (Web, a favourite)

## Colours & gradients

Palettes, gradients and colour pickers.

- [Color Hunt](https://colorhunt.co/): Hand-picked colour palettes. (Web, a favourite)
- [ColorPick](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/colorpick-eyedropper/ohcpnigalekghcmgcdcenkpelffpdolg): Pick any colour from a page and keep it. (Extension, a favourite)
- [CoolHue](https://webkul.github.io/coolhue/): Bright gradient swatches by Webkul. (Web)
- [CSS Gradient Generator](https://cssgradient.io/): Build a CSS gradient and copy the code. (Web)
- [Flat UI Colors](https://flatuicolors.com/): Flat colour palettes, ready to copy. (Web)
- [Gradient Generator](https://gradient.shapefactory.co/): Gradients with angle and contrast controls, by Shape Factory. (Web)
- [Pigment](https://pigment.shapefactory.co/): Colour palettes from sliders, by Shape Factory. (Web)
- [uiGradients](https://uigradients.com/): Hand-picked gradients with copyable CSS. (Web)

## Backgrounds & CSS generators

Patterns, waves, shapes and CSS effects.

- [Get Waves](https://getwaves.io/): SVG wave dividers between sections. (Web, a favourite)
- [Pattern Monster](https://pattern.monster): Seamless SVG background patterns. (Web, a favourite)
- [BGJar](https://bgjar.com/): Free SVG backgrounds with a live editor. (Web)
- [Cool Backgrounds](https://coolbackgrounds.io/): Abstract backgrounds you can remix. (Web)
- [Hero Patterns](https://www.heropatterns.com/): Repeatable SVG background patterns. (Web)
- [Neumorphism.io](https://neumorphism.io/#55b9f3): Soft-UI shadows, generated as CSS. (Web)
- [Patterninja](https://patterninja.com/): Seamless patterns from your own shapes. (Web)
- [Patternizer](https://patternizer.com/): Stripe patterns you can tweak and export. (Web)
- [Shape Divider](https://www.shapedivider.app/): SVG dividers between page sections. (Web)
- [Stripes Generator](https://stripesgenerator.com/): Striped backgrounds as CSS or images. (Web)
- [SVG Backgrounds](https://www.svgbackgrounds.com/): Customisable SVG backgrounds for the web. (Web)
- [Trianglify](https://qrohlf.com/trianglify/): Low-poly triangle backgrounds. (Web)

## Icons & emoji

Icon sets and emoji references.

- [Font Awesome](https://fontawesome.com/icons): Thousands of icons and social logos. (Web, a favourite)
- [Heroicons](https://heroicons.com/): Clean, accessible SVG icons from the Tailwind team. (Web, a favourite)
- [Iconfinder](https://www.iconfinder.com/free_icons): A search engine for free and premium icons. (Web, a favourite)
- [Icons8](https://icons8.com/icons): Icons in every style, plus photos and illustrations. (Web, a favourite)
- [Emojipedia](https://emojipedia.org/): Every emoji, its meaning and how it looks everywhere. (Web)
- [Flaticon](https://www.flaticon.com/): Millions of free icons, in every style. (Web)
- [Noun Project](https://thenounproject.com/): Icons for almost any idea, from a global community. (Web)

## Illustrations & animation

Free illustrations and ready-made animations.

- [LottieFiles](https://lottiefiles.com/): Lightweight animations, ready to drop in. (Web, a favourite)
- [unDraw](https://undraw.co/illustrations): Open-source illustrations in your own colour. (Web, a favourite)
- [Humaaans](https://www.humaaans.com/): Mix-and-match illustrations of people. (Web)
- [Lukasz Adam Illustrations](https://lukaszadam.com/illustrations): Free vector illustrations and icons. (Web)
- [Open Peeps](https://www.openpeeps.com/): Hand-drawn people you can combine. (Web)
- [Storyset](https://storyset.com/): Editable illustrations you can also animate. (Web)

## UI inspiration

Real interfaces to learn patterns from.

- [Mobbin](https://mobbin.com/browse/): Real app screens and flows to learn patterns from. (Web, a favourite)

## Writing & grammar

Clearer, correct English as you type.

- [Grammarly](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/grammarly-grammar-checker/kbfnbcaeplbcioakkpcpgfkobkghlhen): Grammar and clarity checks as you type. (Extension, a favourite)
- [LanguageTool](https://languagetool.org/): Grammar and style checks in many languages. (Web, a favourite)
- [QuillBot](https://quillbot.com/grammar-check): Paraphrasing and grammar checks. (Web)

## Translation & pronunciation

Translate words and hear them said.

- [Reverso](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/reverso-%E2%80%93-translation-dic/onhiacboedfinnofagfgoaanfedhmfab): Translations, synonyms and definitions in context. (Extension, a favourite)
- [YouGlish](https://youglish.com/pronounce/data/english): Hear how native speakers say a word, in context. (Web, a favourite)
- [Google Translate](https://translate.google.com/): Translate the selected text on any page. (Extension)

## Notes & time tracking

Plan work and see where the time goes.

- [Notion](https://www.notion.so/): Notes, tasks and docs in one workspace. (App, a favourite)
- [Toggl Track](https://track.toggl.com/timer): Time tracking that stays out of the way. (App, a favourite)

## Typing practice

Type faster and more accurately.

- [Keybr](https://www.keybr.com/): Adaptive lessons for learning to touch-type. (Web, a favourite)
- [Monkeytype](https://monkeytype.com/): A typing test that actually makes you faster. (Web, a favourite)

## Desktop utilities

Small upgrades for your computer.

- [PowerToys](https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys): Power-user utilities for Windows. (Windows app, a favourite)

## Images & screenshots

Capture, compress and polish images.

- [EasyShoot](https://github.com/Haythamasalama/easyshoot): Screenshots with arrows, steps and a clean frame, in seconds. (App, a favourite)
- [GoFullPage](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/gofullpage-full-page-scre/fdpohaocaechififmbbbbbknoalclacl): Full-page screenshots in one click. (Extension, a favourite)
- [TinyPNG](https://tinypng.com/): Smaller PNG and JPEG files, same quality. (Web, a favourite)
- [Duotone](https://duotone.shapefactory.co/): Two-colour photo effects, by Shape Factory. (Web)
- [Lightshot](https://prnt.sc/): Grab part of the screen and share a link. (App)
- [Pika](https://pika.style/): Polished screenshots and device mockups in the browser. (Web)

## Video & YouTube

Watch faster and grow a YouTube channel.

- [Video Speed Controller](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/video-speed-controller/nffaoalbilbmmfgbnbgppjihopabppdk): Speed up any HTML5 video with shortcuts. (Extension)
- [vidIQ](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/vidiq-vision-for-youtube/pachckjkecffpdphbpmfolblodfkgbhl): Analytics and ideas to grow a YouTube channel. (Extension)

## PDF tools

Merge, split, compress and edit PDFs.

- [iLovePDF](https://www.ilovepdf.com/): Merge, split and compress PDFs. (Web, a favourite)
- [Smallpdf](https://smallpdf.com/): Compress, convert and edit PDFs in the browser. (Web, a favourite)
- [PDF24 Tools](https://tools.pdf24.org/): Free PDF tools with no limits or sign-up. (Web)

## QR codes

QR codes with your colours and logo.

- [QRCode Monkey](https://www.qrcode-monkey.com/): Custom QR codes with your colours and logo. (Web, a favourite)

## Presentations

Slide templates for talks and lessons.

- [Slidesgo](https://slidesgo.com/): Free slide templates for Google Slides and PowerPoint. (Web)

## Privacy & ad blocking

Fewer ads and trackers while you browse.

- [AdBlock](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/adblock-%E2%80%94-best-ad-blocker/gighmmpiobklfepjocnamgkkbiglidom): Blocks ads and pop-ups on the sites you visit. (Extension)
- [DuckDuckGo Search & Tracker Protection](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/duckduckgo-search-tracker/bkdgflcldnnnapblkhphbgpggdiikppg): Private search plus tracker and cookie blocking. (Extension)

## Dark mode

Dark themes for sites that lack one.

- [Dark Reader](https://darkreader.org/): A dark theme for every website, open source. (Extension)

## Shopping

Price history before you buy.

- [Keepa](https://keepa.com/): Amazon price history and drop alerts. (Extension)