The stack

What I actually use.

A living list of the AI tools in my stack, sorted by the job they do. For each category: what I use now, what I am testing, and the one I would pick. It changes as the tools do.

Updated 2026-07-21

Everyday assistant

The model I talk to all day, and where most writing starts.

Using now

Claude

Writing, drafting and thinking, all day.

Gemini

Quick, inconsequential emails inside Gmail.

Pick: Claude. The default for anything that matters.

Research & analysis

Deep research, reading and data.

Using now

Claude

Research and analysis, often in Cowork.

Experimenting with

PerplexityFast, sourced answers from the web.

Pick: Claude. Best for reasoning over messy material.

Design & brand

Images, decks and visual identity.

Using now

Claude Design

Corporate and generic design, on brand.

ChatGPT Image

Generative images from a prompt.

Pick: Claude Design. For anything that has to look like a company.

Building & code

Apps, prototypes and internal tools.

Using now

Claude Code

Plain English in, working software out.

Experimenting with

CodexOpenAI's coding agent, under evaluation.

Pick: Claude Code. My daily driver for building.

Meetings & notes

Capture, transcribe and summarise.

Using now

Wispr Flow

Talk instead of type, everywhere.

Notion AI

Notes and knowledge in one place.

Pick: Wispr Flow. Dictation that keeps up with thinking.

Voice & video

Audio and video generation.

Using now

ElevenLabs

Natural voice and narration.

Experimenting with

HiggsfieldVideo generation, under evaluation.

Pick: ElevenLabs. The voice quality is not close.

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