Zapier's development team consists of self-described "hackers" who prioritize using familiar tools that meet their specific needs. They started with Python/Django on the backend and JavaScript/Backbone.js on the front, leveraging their existing knowledge to iterate quickly. The server stack is built around Linode, nginx, Gunicorn, MySQL, Redis, and RabbitMQ, chosen for their ease of use and familiarity. Tools like Coffeescript, SASS, and python-requests have also become essential to their workflow, enabling efficient development and API integration. Zapier's commitment to using high-quality tools has enabled rapid growth and innovation, with the team looking forward to giving back to the community through patches and potential future projects.