A former frontend developer shares an existential crisis about their career. They question if they're truly building or just complying with tools like React and TypeScript. The core issue is feeling like a 'toolor'—someone shackled to a single instrument rather than a problem-solver. This personal critique reflects a broader industry tension between specialization and adaptability.

The author argues that real developers must be tool-agnostic, selecting the right instrument for each problem. Yet, the industry often celebrates 'React specialists' or 'Java experts,' a mindset the author compares to calling oneself a 'hammer specialist.' This focus on tool proficiency can limit cognitive flexibility and make skills obsolete as technology evolves.

With AI rapidly mastering tool operation, the author warns that 'exceptional toolors' face obsolescence. AI can generate React code or complete TypeScript definitions faster than any human. The future belongs to those who define problems, architect systems, and evaluate trade-offs. Developers must rise above tools, making instruments subordinate to their strategic vision.