The Tools Joshua Bliss Uses for Full-Stack Development in 2025

In 2025, the full-stack development landscape is broader and more advanced than ever. From building scalable APIs to creating intuitive frontends, developers have access to hundreds of tools. But when you're a rising developer like Joshua Bliss, picking the right stack isn't about trend-hopping—it's about efficiency, maintainability, and growth.

Based in Phoenix, Arizona, Joshua Bliss is a Junior Software Developer with experience building real-world web applications, including his community-based project, DesertTrails. Working across frontend and backend technologies, he has refined a reliable toolkit that helps him stay productive and deliver consistent, clean code in every project.

Let’s break down the tools and platforms Joshua uses day-to-day in 2025 to stay ahead in full-stack development.

Frontend Tools That Power the User Experience

React.js

React remains Joshua’s go-to frontend framework. Its component-based structure allows him to build reusable UI elements quickly. He appreciates how React makes it easy to break an application into modular views and manage complex state interactions using tools like the Context API and React Query.

“I prefer React because of its balance between simplicity and power. It just works, and it scales,” says Joshua Bliss.

Tailwind CSS

For styling, Joshua uses Tailwind CSS. Unlike traditional CSS frameworks, Tailwind offers utility-first classes that allow for rapid layout and design without writing custom CSS files from scratch. It keeps his codebase cleaner and helps him build responsive interfaces faster.

Vite

Joshua moved from Webpack to Vite in 2024 and hasn't looked back. Vite’s lightning-fast dev server and instant module hot reloading make it perfect for modern React development.

Backend Technologies for Scalable Performance

Node.js + Express

Joshua uses Node.js paired with Express.js to build RESTful APIs. This lightweight, non-blocking environment is ideal for building fast, scalable server-side applications. Express gives him flexibility while keeping the codebase minimal and readable.

MongoDB + Mongoose

For most projects, especially DesertTrails, Joshua prefers using MongoDB as his database solution. Its document-oriented structure works well with JavaScript and allows for easy adjustments in schema design. He pairs it with Mongoose to define models, handle validations, and simplify database queries.

Prisma (for SQL Projects)

Although MongoDB is his go-to, Joshua sometimes works with SQL databases for specific use cases. In those cases, he uses Prisma, an ORM that simplifies database interactions while offering type safety and auto-generated queries.

Version Control, CI/CD, and Collaboration Tools

Git + GitHub

For source control, Joshua uses Git and hosts all his projects on GitHub. Whether it’s solo development or contributing to open-source, he follows Git best practices like branching, atomic commits, and pull request reviews.

“Using Git effectively is just as important as writing clean code,” says Joshua Bliss, who teaches Git fundamentals during mentoring sessions at Desert Code Club.

GitHub Actions

Joshua automates testing and deployments with GitHub Actions. He uses workflows to run unit tests, check code quality, and deploy applications to hosting platforms like Render or Vercel.

Testing and Code Quality Tools

Jest + React Testing Library

To write reliable frontend code, Joshua uses Jest and React Testing Library. These tools help ensure that components render correctly and that user interactions behave as expected.

Prettier + ESLint

Joshua integrates Prettier and ESLint into every project to maintain clean, readable code. These tools enforce consistent formatting and catch errors before runtime.

API and DevOps Tools

Postman

For API development and testing, Joshua uses Postman to simulate requests, test routes, and handle authentication headers. It’s a key part of his workflow when working on backend services.

Docker (Learning Stage)

Joshua has started using Docker for local containerization. While still mastering it, he’s already deploying services in Docker environments for testing and plans to expand his DevOps skillset in 2025.

Design and Productivity Tools

Figma

Even though he’s a developer, Joshua uses Figma to collaborate on UI design. It helps him translate mockups into real code while maintaining design consistency.

Notion

For documentation and personal knowledge management, Notion is Joshua’s choice. He documents processes, bug fixes, and learning goals, keeping his workflow organized and future-ready.

Final Thoughts

The tech world evolves fast, but Joshua Bliss continues to build his stack around reliability, collaboration, and growth. Whether he's debugging a backend route, designing a clean user interface, or mentoring others in web development, his tools reflect a thoughtful, forward-thinking approach.

By combining the best of modern web technologies with strong personal discipline, Joshua has crafted a workflow that supports scalable projects like DesertTrails and keeps him ahead of the curve. As 2025 unfolds, you can bet that Joshua Bliss will continue refining his toolkit—one clean commit at a time.