Hi, I’m Arul Raaj.

I turn complex workflows into simple products, from figuring out what to build to getting it right in code. I care about the small things people feel, even when they don’t notice them.

In my free time, I play piano, sketch, and make illustrations. I also enjoy travelling solo and exploring somewhere new at my own pace.

Off hours

Hardware

  • MacBook Air 13″Light enough to carry everywhere, fast enough for everything.
  • LG 24″ DisplayExtra canvas when the laptop screen isn't enough.
  • Magic KeyboardQuiet keys and no cable across the desk.
  • Magic TrackpadGestures I'd miss more than any mouse.

Design

  • FigmaComponents, tokens, prototypes. Where most work starts.
  • FramerFor building websites, not just prototyping.
  • EagleVisual library for assets, references, and inspiration.
  • Screen StudioScreen recordings that look edited before I edit them.
  • CleanShot XSnappy capture, with OCR and annotation.

Build

  • ClaudeDaily driver for code and most other work.
  • ChatGPTSecond pick, for research and image generation.
  • GhosttyTerminal that gets out of the way.

Everyday

  • NotionDocs, specs, and anything that needs structure.
  • CometBrowser built around search.
  • Polar BrowserFor automating the browser work I do every day.
  • GranolaMeeting notes that write themselves while I listen.
  • ObsidianSecond brain. Linked notes, not folders.
  • Wispr FlowDictation in any app, at 115 WPM.