Ask HN: what is a good dev setup with an iPad?

I am using my 10.5 iPad Pro for all personal programming projects. It started off as very frustrating experience especially if you try to do dev locally on iPad.

I started off with the goal of writing code locally, but could not find any editor which was any better than Vi.

Now my workflow is basically ssh-ing into a VPS and using vim. Not exactly local dev. I use Google’s Cloud Console for some dev work. It got excellent ssh client and I can turn off VPS when done and save a few bucks. For my other VPSes, I use blink.sh. This is probably the best ssh client I have used.

Since being forced into shell for dev work, I am learning some new Linux commands like tmux. Of course, this is for web work only. I still have to use MBP for Android dev.

To be honest, there are more issues than pros when using iPad for dev work or as a main machine. Keyboard is finicky, it stops responding or arrow keys will start behaving differently. Files system is weird, I still cannot figure out how to create a new folder on iPad using files app. It is very expensive for being a simple shell client. I miss running local server, workflow is so much easier then.

I came very close to returning it but kept it because I love form factor. I love 4:3 screen. I love removing keyboard and reading books on it. Taking screenshot and then writing on it. And silly but it feels adventurous to use iPad as main machine even if it is just for personal projects.

I blogged about some of my initial experience here: https://amerkhalid.com/ipad-pro-for-programming-fun/

When I want to get out of the office, I've been doing a bit of development in cafés using http://www.blink.sh back to my work computer. It has been a surprisingly good option on the iPad Pro 12" w/ Cellular. For me the setup isn't flexible to use as a full time dev environment.

I'd still wish Apple would build a MacBook replacement w/ a decent screen + cellular!

The keyboard and trackpad on the current MacBooks is terrible compared to the previous generation MBPs and MacBook Airs.

I used the Termius app to ssh into my usual Linux development workstation. It was hard to use, but got the job done.

It was convenient for doing technical support when I got overnight calls from work, but it was still pretty challenging for writing code.

I prefer carrying a laptop instead of using the iPad to develop.

Try this: https://lemire.me/blog/2017/10/03/my-ipad-pro-experiment/

I remember reading a good article outlining this: https://jann.is/ipad-pro-for-programming/

Yes, I do for Python. Side-by-side apps and drag-n-drop make programming and many other tasks possible on iPad.

Bonus: no fan noise, ever.

Apps: Pythonista Working Copy (git client, I use BitBucket) Blink (ssh and a few extras)