I can’t go without Chests Anywhere and UI Info Suite 2 (download that one from the link on the SMAPI.io mod compatibility page)

Chests Anywhere just because I always forget where I put my things, and forget to bring materials for building upgrades etc. before this mod, I would spend in-game days running back and forth to my house until the shop was closed :,)

UI InfoSuite2 is great because it shows you the range for beehives, sprinklers, and scarecrows. There’s also icons to remind you to check the Travelling Cart, watch tv for a new recipe, and it shows your daily luck as well as a raincloud if it’s going to rain the next day - also icons when you have a building or tool upgrading that you can hover over and it’ll tell you when it’ll be ready (or does the vanilla game do that? It’s been so long). It does even more but I can’t remember all the features.

I use Automate when I’m in the last leg of the game because at that point I have so many materials to process, and it sucks to hang out all day refilling machines or checking crab traps. I don’t use it until I get to the 1.5 content because it’s so OP that it can make early game boring.

There’s also a mod called… Generic Mod Config Menu Or something like that. I highly recommend you download that if you’re using mods because you can change the settings of the mods in-game and have it take effect right away instead of editing the json files.

QoL:

• NPC Map Locations - it shows where each NPC is when you open the map.
• Lookup Anything - it's like having the wiki plus further info inside the game.
• Better Ranching - no failed milk/shear attempts; includes indicator for when the critter can be milked/sheared/petted

Others:

• Canon-Friendly Dialogue Expansion - exactly what it says in the title.
• Automate - machines pull items from and push them into chests. Less small-clicking here and there.
• Bigger Backpack - because three rows of items isn't enough, is it?
• Stardew Valley Expanded - rather deep expansion, with new characters and places and items. For those who got bored with vanilla.
• Wear More Rings - it's a bit cheaty, but it allows you to use way more than just two rings

Some additional things:

• UI Info Suite 2
• Spritemaster
• Public Access TV