Google Chrome is a feature-rich alternative to Safari and Microsoft Edge. Even though most features are consumer-centric, Chrome offers several built-in tools for developers to debug website code. Launch Chrome DevTools to edit a web page and to debug, test, and enhance your web application performance.
Google Chrome DevTools improves a developer’s efficiency and speed. It also gives better control over website code. Make it a practice to run your website through the Chrome DevTools kit before you test it. You can also glance over other websites' source code and gather insights into how they are run. You can activate and use Chrome developer features on Windows, Mac, Linux desktops, andtop Chromebooks.
Why should you enable developer features in Google Chrome
Before we start, let’s go over the top reasons to activate and use developer features in Google Chrome.
How to enable developer mode in Google Chrome
There are several ways to activate developer features in Google Chrome.
Use hotkeys
It’s the easiest way to launch and access developer tools in Google Chrome. If you use Chrome on a Windows 10/11 or Linux desktop, pressCtrl + Shift + Ito activate the developer tools. On a Mac, pressCommand + Option + Isimultaneously to activate the Chrome DevTools menu.
Browser menu
When you are on a web page, right click the page and selectInspectfrom the context menu.
Chrome menu
The Chrome menu is another common way to check and activate developer tools in Google Chrome.
Understand developer options in Google Chrome
The Chrome developer tool panel is divided into several sections. Let’s check them in detail.
Elements panel
When you pressCtrl + Shift + I(Windows) orCommand + Option + I(Mac), the DevTools menu greets you with the Elements panel. You can select any element on the web page and tweak HTML and CSS in real time. Your changes go live immediately on the page. You can also generate new elements on your page. ClickAdd Elementat the top and enter HTML in a dialog box.
Console panel
The console panel serves two purposes. you’re able to run JavaScript code on your page and debug your code. TypeJavaScriptinto the Console and pressEnterto evaluate the code.
Sources panel
Go to the Sources panel to glance over and edit your web page’s JavaScript and CSS code. The panel shows the values of variables and set breakpoints. You can also check several sources for content on a specific website.
Network panel
Do your readers complain about long loading times on your website? The Network panel can come in handy to check what resources are loading and how much time each resource takes to load.
Open the Network panel and refresh the web page to see the resources loading chronologically. you’re able to also check how your web page behaves when a resource doesn’t load. The Network panel also lets you throttle network speeds. Pick one of the presets at the top or create a custom one from Settings.
Performance panel
Performance is another important parameter while debugging your website. Open the Performance tab to start a new recording and learn your Chrome browser usage in detail. When you clickStop, the panel shows performance results and timings of every event.
Memory panel
Google Chrome is infamous for high memory usage on a PC and Mac. You can launch Chrome DevTools and move to the Memory tab to measure your site’s JavaScript memory usage. You can see what resources take up device memory and any memory leaks. You can also take a snapshot of your web page’s memory usage and save a local copy on your computer to refer to and compare later.
Other advanced Chrome developer features include the device mode to simulate your website behavior on different types of Android, iOS, and Windows 11 devices, browser mode to check how your website behaves on other browsers, Application panel to check the resources like files and cookies of your web app, and more.
Google Chrome also offers a settings menu to customize the DevTools menu. You can turn off features, change the theme and keyboard shortcuts, add network throttling presets, and tweak other options.
Optimize and analyze your website
Google Chrome DevTools kit is an excellent add-on for power users during web development. You can spot errors in real time, check your website’s performance, render it on different devices, and glance over minute details on your competitor’s website’s source code.
Along with Chrome’s developer features, explore thetop Chrome extensionsto improve your browser setup. If you are new to Chrome, learn thetop tips and tricksto get the best out of Google’s desktop browser.
