Web development isn’t just about building pages—it’s about building efficient systems. From pushing code to syncing media and deploying updates, I’ve set up simple automations that save hours each week. In this post, I’ll share how I streamline my workflow using smart tools and custom scripts—so I can spend more time designing and less time dragging files around.
1. Git-Based Theme Deployment
I work on a local version of my WordPress theme and push changes to Git. When I’m ready, a custom terminal command (push-live) bundles everything up and deploys it to my live server via FTP. One line, full update—done.
2. Media Sync with Rsync
No more uploading image folders manually. I use rsync to keep my local /uploads/ folder in sync with the server—fast, reliable, and includes a progress bar so I can track large batches easily.
3. LESS Compilation on Save
All my styles are written in LESS. I use a watch script that compiles and lints everything automatically when I hit save—no need to remember build commands or fix broken styles after the fact.
4. Configurable Project Boilerplate
Every new site I build starts with my own boilerplate: pre-built templates, folder structure, reusable LESS mixins, and functions.php tweaks. This cuts hours off every new job and ensures I start every project with a strong foundation.
5. Focused Local Dev Environment
Using a Raspberry Pi and macOS, I’ve created a lean dev setup with local DNS routing (dev.leefone.com) for real domain previews, plus multi-site support for testing and staging. No third-party subscriptions. No unnecessary plugins.
The goal isn’t to automate everything—it’s to automate the boring parts. If you’re building custom sites or maintaining multiple projects, setting up even one or two of these systems can make a huge difference. Less time on grunt work, more time on great design—that’s the win.