The GenX Guide to Modern Development Tools

Published: July 9, 2025

I learned to code when “deployment” meant uploading files with FileZilla and hoping nothing broke. Version control was saving files with names like “index_FINAL_v2_ACTUALFINAL.html.” The cutting-edge development environment was Dreamweaver, and if you were really fancy, maybe some Photoshop slicing.

Fast forward to 2025, and my development workflow includes tools that would have seemed like science fiction in 2005. As someone who’s been coding for over 20 years and has watched the industry evolve from dial-up to AI assistants, let me share what’s actually worth learning—and what’s just shiny object syndrome.

Version Control: From Chaos to Sanity

Let’s start with the obvious one: if you’re not using Git, you’re living dangerously. I resisted version control for embarrassingly long, thinking it was overkill for “simple” websites. Then I accidentally deleted a client’s entire site two days before launch. Never again.

Git seemed intimidating at first, but you really only need to know a handful of commands for 90% of daily work: `git add`, `git commit`, `git push`, `git pull`, and `git status`. Everything else you can Google when you need it.

GitHub Desktop makes it even easier if command line feels uncomfortable. There’s no shame in using a GUI—shipping working code matters more than looking cool in Terminal.

Local Development: DDEV Changed My Life

Remember MAMP and XAMPP? They worked, but they were like using duct tape to fix a leaky pipe. DDEV is what local development should have been all along.

With DDEV, I can spin up a complete WordPress environment in under 30 seconds. Different PHP versions, database engines, SSL certificates—all handled automatically. No more “works on my machine” problems because the local environment matches production exactly.

The best part? `ddev wp` gives you WP-CLI access instantly. Need to import content, update plugins, or run database operations? It’s all there without installing anything globally on your system.

Code Editors: VS Code Won the War

I used Sublime Text for years and loved it. But VS Code’s ecosystem of extensions and built-in terminal finally converted me. The WordPress extension adds proper PHP IntelliSense, the GitLens extension makes version control visual, and the integrated terminal means one less window to manage.

The real game-changer is Extensions Sync. I can set up VS Code exactly how I like it, sync the configuration to my Microsoft account, and have the same environment on any machine instantly. No more rebuilding my development environment from scratch.

CSS: Tailwind Made Me Productive Again

I spent years writing custom CSS, organizing stylesheets, and maintaining naming conventions. Tailwind felt wrong at first—utility classes everywhere, markup that looked cluttered. But the productivity gains are undeniable.

Instead of context-switching between HTML and CSS files, I style components inline with utility classes. Instead of maintaining a complex stylesheet, I compose designs from consistent building blocks. Instead of fighting specificity wars, I write styles that work predictably.

Yes, the HTML looks messier. But the development experience is faster, the output is more consistent, and maintenance is actually manageable. Sometimes pragmatic beats pure.

Build Tools: Vite Over Webpack

Webpack configuration files used to give me nightmares. Pages of configuration for basic asset compilation, cryptic error messages, and build times that encouraged long coffee breaks.

Vite changed the game with near-instant dev server startup and hot module replacement that actually works. For WordPress development, I use it to compile Sass, process Tailwind CSS, and handle JavaScript modules. The configuration file is usually under 20 lines.

The difference in development experience is night and day. Change a style, see the result instantly. Modify JavaScript, watch it update in real-time. It’s how build tools should work.

Database Management: TablePlus for the Win

phpMyAdmin works, but it feels like using a flip phone in 2025. TablePlus gives you a clean, fast interface for database work with features that actually help productivity.

Query history, intelligent autocomplete, data editing that doesn’t make you want to cry—all the things you wished phpMyAdmin had. The SSH tunnel support means I can connect to any server securely without exposing database ports.

Deployment: WP Engine + Git Integration

FTP deployment belongs in a museum next to floppy disks and dial-up modems. Modern WordPress hosting providers like WP Engine offer Git-based deployment that’s actually reliable.

Push to a branch, automatic deployment to staging. Merge to main, automatic deployment to production. Rollbacks are one click. Database sync between environments is built-in. It’s professional-grade workflow without enterprise complexity.

AI Assistants: The Real Game Changer

Claude and ChatGPT aren’t just hype—they’ve fundamentally changed how I approach problem-solving. Instead of spending 20 minutes on Stack Overflow hunting for the right approach, I can describe what I need and get working code in seconds.

They’re particularly valuable for WordPress development because they understand the ecosystem. Ask for a custom post type, and you get properly structured code with hooks and sanitization. Need to debug a complex query? Paste the code and get specific suggestions.

The key is treating them as very smart junior developers, not infallible oracles. They’ll give you great starting points and catch obvious mistakes, but you still need to understand what they’re suggesting.

What I’m Still Skeptical About

**Serverless everything:** For most WordPress projects, traditional hosting is still more predictable and cost-effective. Serverless shines for specific use cases, but it’s not a universal solution.

**Micro-frontends:** Sounds great in theory, but the complexity overhead usually isn’t worth it for typical business websites.

**No-code platforms:** Useful for prototyping, but the lock-in and scaling limitations make them risky for serious projects.

The Tools That Actually Matter

After 20+ years in this industry, here’s what I’d recommend focusing on:

1. **Git** – Version control isn’t optional anymore
2. **DDEV** – Local development that actually works
3. **VS Code** – The ecosystem of extensions is unmatched
4. **Tailwind CSS** – Utility-first CSS that scales
5. **Vite** – Build tools that don’t slow you down
6. **AI assistants** – Your new pair programming buddy

Everything else is nice-to-have or project-specific. Master these six tools, and you’ll be more productive than 90% of developers still fighting with outdated workflows.

Embracing Change (Selectively)

The hardest part of being a GenX developer isn’t learning new tools—it’s knowing which new tools are worth learning. The industry moves fast, and not every shiny new framework or tool is an improvement.

My filter is simple: does this tool solve a real problem I have, or does it just feel new and exciting? The tools I’ve listed above all solve real problems. They make me more productive, reduce frustration, and help me ship better code faster.

That’s the GenX approach to modern development: skeptical but not stubborn, practical but not outdated. We’ve seen enough trends come and go to spot the difference between genuine improvements and marketing hype.

Now excuse me while I go update my LinkedIn profile to remove “Dreamweaver” from my skills list. Some things are better left in the past.