AI TOOLS LIBRARY

The tools I actually use.

A curated stack of AI tools I am actively testing and building with. No affiliate fluff — just what works.

Kimi K2.6

TESTINGRESEARCH & WRITING

The AI research and writing tool I am excitedly testing right now. Exceptional at long-form content and deep research.

Best ForLong-form writing, research synthesis, content drafts
PricingFree tier available; paid plans for heavy use
Try Kimi K2.6 →

Why I Use It

I test every AI writing tool that hits the market. Kimi K2.6 has the best grasp of context for long-form content — it remembers what you told it 10 messages ago, which matters when you are building a 2000-word script.

My Workflow

Drop research notes → ask for outline → refine with follow-ups → export draft

Pros

  • +Excellent context memory
  • +Great for long-form
  • +Clean interface

Cons

  • Still testing reliability
  • Fewer integrations than Claude
📁

Claude Desktop

CORE SYSTEMDEEP WORK

The working setup I use to stop re-explaining context before every deep work session. Brand context, scripts, and research in one place.

Best ForProject-based work, coding, analysis, content planning
PricingFree tier; Pro at $20/month
Try Claude Desktop →

Why I Use It

Claude Projects changed how I work. I set up one project per video series, save all my brand context, system prompts, and research inside it, and never have to re-explain myself. It is the single biggest time-saver in my stack.

My Workflow

Create Project → save system prompt → add research files → iterate inside the project

Pros

  • +Project-based organization
  • +Massive context window
  • +Excellent at following instructions

Cons

  • No native web browsing
  • Can be verbose
🤖

HeyGen

AVATARVIDEO PRODUCTION

How I build AI avatars for content. From a single photo to a speaking, moving avatar that handles video creation.

Best ForAvatar videos, multilingual content, faceless channels
PricingStarts at $24/month
Try HeyGen →

Why I Use It

I wanted to create avatar-based tutorials without the uncanny valley effect. HeyGen has the most natural-looking avatars and the lip-sync is genuinely impressive. I use it for explainer-style videos where showing my face on camera is not the priority.

My Workflow

Upload photo → record voice or use voice clone → generate video → edit in Canva

Pros

  • +Most natural avatars
  • +Great lip-sync
  • +Multilingual support

Cons

  • Monthly cost adds up
  • Some gestures feel robotic
🎧

ElevenLabs

VOICEAUDIO PRODUCTION

The AI voice tool I use to create natural-sounding voiceovers. Clone your voice or design a new one without sounding robotic.

Best ForVoiceovers, voice cloning, multilingual audio
PricingFree tier; Starter at $5/month
Try ElevenLabs →

Why I Use It

The voice cloning quality is the best I have tested. I cloned my own voice and use it for voiceovers when I do not want to record audio manually. It sounds natural enough that viewers do not notice the difference.

My Workflow

Record voice sample → clone voice → paste script → generate audio → drop into editor

Pros

  • +Best-in-class voice cloning
  • +Huge voice library
  • +Affordable starter plan

Cons

  • Accent nuances can slip
  • Long texts need chunking

Make.com

AUTOMATIONWORKFLOW AUTOMATION

Visual automation builder for connecting apps and removing repetitive admin. More flexible than Zapier with a visual canvas.

Best ForConnecting apps, automating repetitive tasks, content pipelines
PricingFree tier; Core at $9/month
Try Make.com →

Why I Use It

I switched from Zapier to Make because the visual builder makes it easier to understand complex workflows at a glance. I automate my content pipeline: new video idea → Notion entry → draft created → thumbnail request sent.

My Workflow

Map workflow visually → connect apps → set triggers → test → activate

Pros

  • +Visual workflow builder
  • +More affordable than Zapier
  • +Huge app library

Cons

  • Steeper learning curve
  • Complex scenarios can break silently
🗂

Notion

GUIDECREATOR FAVORITE

The calm home base for keeping tutorials, content plans, AI workflows, and brand assets organized in one system.

Best ForContent planning, knowledge base, project management
PricingFree for personal use; Plus from $10/month
Try Notion →

Why I Use It

Every creator needs a calm home base. Notion is mine. I track video ideas, script drafts, resource links, and publishing schedules in one place. The AI features inside Notion are getting better too — I use them for quick summaries.

My Workflow

Ideas database → content calendar → scripts → resources library → publish tracker

Pros

  • +Infinitely flexible
  • +Great templates
  • +AI features built-in

Cons

  • Can become a mess without discipline
  • Mobile app is slow
🎨

Canva

VISUALSDESIGN

The design tool behind every thumbnail, social post, and lead magnet on Keys to AI. Design once, reuse the visual language everywhere.

Best ForThumbnails, social posts, lead magnets, quick video edits
PricingFree plan; Pro at $15/month
Try Canva →

Why I Use It

I design once, then reuse the same visual language across everything. Thumbnails, worksheets, social posts — Canva keeps my brand consistent without a designer. I even use it for quick video edits and captions on avatar clips.

My Workflow

Brand kit → template → duplicate for each new video → export

Pros

  • +Fast, reusable templates
  • +Brand kit keeps everything consistent
  • +Handles quick video edits too

Cons

  • Advanced editing is limited
  • Easy to over-design
📊

Airtable

TRACKERCONTENT OPS

The structured tracker for my whole content pipeline — what's filmed, edited, published, and ready to repurpose.

Best ForContent pipelines, structured tracking, publishing databases
PricingFree plan; Team at $20/month
Try Airtable →

Why I Use It

Notion holds my ideas; Airtable keeps me honest. Every video moves through a pipeline — scripted, filmed, edited, published, repurposed — and a structured view shows me exactly what's stuck and what's ready to ship.

My Workflow

New idea record → status field per stage → filtered views → repurpose queue

Pros

  • +Structured views keep the pipeline honest
  • +Powerful filters and automations
  • +Plays well with Make.com

Cons

  • Per-seat pricing adds up on teams
  • Overkill for a simple list