# Session 3: Developer Tooling

\
We spend so much of our time at work. It can be great to take a little time to make our workspace fun.

{% hint style="success" %}
Session goal: Customize part of your developer tools, such as your IDE, terminal, or keyboard.\
\
Bonus: Share your customization with others by publishing, blogging, or making a how-to video.
{% endhint %}

## IDE UI Customization

#### VS Code

{% embed url="<https://css-tricks.com/creating-a-vs-code-theme>" %}

#### JetBrains / IntelliJ

{% embed url="<https://plugins.jetbrains.com/docs/intellij/themes-intro.html>" %}

#### Atom

{% embed url="<https://flight-manual.atom.io/hacking-atom/sections/creating-a-theme>" %}

#### VIM

{% embed url="<https://phoenixnap.com/kb/vim-color-schemes>" %}

#### Emacs

{% embed url="<https://david.rothlis.net/emacs/customize_colors.html>" %}

## Terminal

Those of us who work in the terminal often have set up a custom file that runs when the terminal instantiates. Bash users may use `.profile` or `.bashrc`.  Zsh users typically use `.zshrc.`Did you know you can also add some creative customizations to your terminal?

### Check out these links for some inspiration:&#x20;

{% embed url="<https://twitter.com/sallylait/status/1499685147700043776?s=20&t=SRzyHv4f6vkeSUYisurUGA>" %}
A cute terminal built with oh-my-zsh
{% endembed %}

{% embed url="<https://github.com/ann-kilzer/annkilzer.zsh-theme>" %}
Ann's oh-my-zsh themes
{% endembed %}

{% embed url="<https://github.com/ohmyzsh/ohmyzsh/wiki/Themes>" %}
Large library of oh-my-zsh themes, good for forking
{% endembed %}

{% embed url="<https://chiamakaikeanyi.dev/how-to-create-a-custom-message-on-your-terminal>" %}

{% embed url="<https://chiamakaikeanyi.dev/how-to-configure-your-macos-terminal-with-zsh-like-a-pro>" %}

### ASCII Art Resources

{% embed url="<http://www.patorjk.com/software/taag#p=display&f=ANSI%20Shadow&t=hello>" %}
Make GIANT ASCII words
{% endembed %}

{% embed url="<https://www.jemoticons.com/en>" %}
Kaomoji: ASCII faces
{% endembed %}

## Keyboard

### Software for Keyboard Remapping

#### OS X

{% embed url="<https://karabiner-elements.pqrs.org>" %}
Mac Keyboard Customization
{% endembed %}

#### Windows

{% embed url="<https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/create-custom-keyboard-layout-windows>" %}
Windows custom layout
{% endembed %}

#### Linux

{% embed url="<https://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/linux-keyboard-custom-remap.html>" %}
Linux remap: may vary based on your distro
{% endembed %}

### Hardware

Mechanical keyboards are growing in popularity due to their customizability and quality. Be warned they are an investment, but if you'd like to learn more, check out the following links. (Links to businesses are provided for educational purposes and are not endorsements)

#### Switches

The mechanical part of the key that controls the raising and lowering is called a "switch." Different switches have different feels. Some are loud and clicky, while others are silent. Some are tactile, others are smooth. The following podcast gives a sense of how various keys perform:

<https://www.zsa.io/tisha-talks-switches/>

#### Mechanical Keyboard stores in Tokyo

{% embed url="<https://shop.yushakobo.jp/en>" %}
Yusakobo in Akihabara has lots of keyboards in various layouts, as well as a board where you can try different switches.
{% endembed %}

{% embed url="<https://www.yodobashi.com/ec/store/en/0018>" %}
The giant Yodobashi Camera in Akibahara has a selection of Mechanical as well as regular keyboards.
{% endembed %}

#### Custom Keys

Some people even make their own special keys using materials like resin. Here's a video of the process!

{% embed url="<https://www.youtube.com/watch?ab_channel=jedrek29t&v=W_13KoGFIvE>" %}

## Creators

### Sailor Mercury

<https://twitter.com/sailorhg>

One of the most prolific creators of kawaii-tech tooling. She creates everything from Keyboard caps to VS Code Themes

[fairyfloss - Visual Studio Marketplace](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=nopjmp.fairyfloss)

[Drop DSA Astrolokeys Keycaps by sailorhg & cassidoo - Base Kit | Mechanical Keyboards | Keycaps | Custom Keycaps](https://drop.com/buy/drop-dsa-astrolokeys-keycaps-by-sailorhg-and-cassidoo?defaultSelectionIds=963789)

### Cassidy Williams

<https://cassidoo.co/>

Partnered with Sailor Mercury on Keycaps, as well as creating a few others:

[Massdrop x Hasbro Scrabble Keyboard](https://www.producthunt.com/posts/massdrop-x-hasbro-scrabble-keyboard)

And the April Fool’s Stack Overflow key:

[Introducing The Key](https://stackoverflow.blog/2021/03/31/the-key-copy-paste/)

### Chiamaka Ikeanyi

Chiamaka wrote some great tutorials on customizing your terminal (see above)

{% embed url="<https://chiamakaikeanyi.dev>" %}

### Mina Markham

She's created Design Systems for US Presidential candidates and is a keynote speaker.

[http://mina.codes/](http://mina.codes/#%F0%9F%92%8B)

{% embed url="<https://github.com/minamarkham/yonce>" %}
What if Beyonce lived in your terminal? :tada:
{% endembed %}


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