Tech Productivity Issue #370 (Don't Become an Engineering Manager)

Issue #370 (Don't Become an Engineering Manager) 03/16/26

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Last week I shared the popular new AI tool OpenClaw, which has already amassed more than 300,000 stars on GitHub. That's pretty incredible considering the product was only launched in late November!

The consensus seems to be that the tool (which is a cross-platform AI assistant) is somewhat complex to use, and might not be for the general AI user. Nonetheless, if you're interested in some early suggestions on how teams and individuals are using it, you'll want to check out this Hacker News thread.

The current use cases include things like:

Running standups
Checking text messages and automating calendar entries
Scanning and rating apartment listings
Calling you for notifications on a real phone

And that's just a sample.

So if you want to get started using OpenClaw or introducing it to your team, that thread might be a good place to start.

Now on to this week's hand-picked productivity links!

Tools & Apps

Arcmark — An open source, local-first macOS bookmark manager that attaches to any browser window as a sidebar, allowing you to organize bookmarks into multiple workspaces with custom window colors and nested folder hierarchies.

Mini Diarium — An encrypted desktop journal for Mac, Windows, and Linux, that never touches the cloud, uses AES-256-GCM encryption, is offline-only, no telemetry, and doesn't need an account signup.

OmniFile — A fast search tool for Windows or Mac that enables you to find any file across your local drives and cloud storage with a single keyboard shortcut.

Accomplish — An open source AI desktop agent for Mac or Windows that reads your files, creates documents, and automates repetitive knowledge work-using a built-in free model or an external API key.

BugHerd Website Feedback Tool — BugHerd makes it easy for clients to leave website feedback and report bugs. Clients simply point, click, and comment – BugHerd grabs a screenshot, saves technical details, and creates a task for your team to track. sponsor

Invoplex — A platform for professional quotes, invoices, and client management, all in one place, designed for freelancers and small business owners who are tired of scattered spreadsheets, late payments, and bloated admin.

The Bilig — A modern newsletter reading platform that sets your inbox free from clutter and provides a dedicated space for your favourite publishers.

Articles & Resources

Don't Become an Engineering Manager — The author, who is an EM, recommends waiting a few years but the main arguments against this move today are based on moving away from the tech, an overly competitive ladder, an lower pay.

How to Record and Retrieve Anything You’ve Ever Had to Look Up Twice — A two-step process that we can repeat so you can ensure you don't have to retrace your steps (though I would argue this is less valuable advice than it was before the advent of AI).

Master Visual Studio Code — 150+ tips with 450+ screenshots on learning to use and customize VS Code, the world's most popular code editor. Available in EPUB or PDF formats. sponsor

AI Doesn’t Reduce Work – It Intensifies It — "While leaders are focused on promised productivity gains, they may find themselves surprised by the complex reality, and may not see what these gains are costing them until it’s too late."

I'm Addicted To Being Useful — An interesting part of this short piece is the author's comparing himself to a character in a popular Russian short story called The Overcoat.

Just Get a Better Job — While hopping from one job to another might be an option for some in certain circumstances, this is not the case for everyone, thus, trying to find a 'better job' isn't always as easy as it sounds.

How Stress Impacts Your Energy Levels — A comprehensive look at stress that considers a history of understanding stress, how it can impair us, and how to overcome it.

Suggestions?

Have a suggestion for a productivity-related tool, article, or other resource? Send me a direct message via X or chat via Bluesky and I’ll consider including it in a future issue.

Stay productive!

Louis
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