Ideal: browser - Terminal - emacs [1] [2]
In virtual desktop 2 is email, virtual desktop 3 is for other stuff.
It does not stay this tidy, but this is the ideal.[3]
Your mileage will vary.
[1] Really, aquamacs.
[2] Yes, emacs has a shell. Several of them. They're just not as good as iTerm2.
[3] As-of right now.