Here's the honest list of tools, libraries, and frameworks I use to keep this site running. Not because they're trendy—because they solve specific problems I actually have.
Framework
Next.js v16.0.7
Because I'm not writing vanilla React routing in 2024
Animations
GSAP v3.13.0
When CSS animations aren't enough
Framer Motion v12.23.24
React animations that don't make me cry
Locomotive Scroll v5.0.0-beta.21
Smooth scrolling without the jank
Lenis v1.3.15
More smooth scrolling because why not
Content
Hygraph (GraphQL CMS) vLatest
Switched from Sanity for better DX and native GraphQL. The interlinking is chef's kiss
3D / Interactive
Spline v4.1.0
3D stuff without learning Blender (yet)
Design & Animation
Procreate Dreams vLatest
For motion graphics and animations that feel human
Concepts App vLatest
Creating vector naturals—my signature and handwritten elements to inject actual handwriting into the site
Development Tools
Claude Code vLatest
AI-assisted coding that actually understands context. Game changer for workflow
Styling
Tailwind CSS v4
Utility classes over fighting with CSS specificity
Sass v1.94.2
Sometimes you just need that nesting
Styled Components v6.1.19
CSS-in-JS for when Tailwind isn't enough
Language
TypeScript v5
Type safety is self-care
Is this stack overkill for a portfolio site? Maybe. Do I have three different animation libraries? Yes, and I'm not apologizing.
Each tool here exists because at some point I thought "I need this to work" and these were the solutions that made sense. Not because they're what the internet said I should use.
Your stack doesn't need to look like mine. Use what solves your problems.
"The best tool is the one you know how to use."