Must-Have Chrome Extensions for Web Developers to Boost Productivity and Professionalism (Part 1)
Salman Iyad
As a web developer, finding the right tools can make all the difference in enhancing your workflow and efficiency. With the right extensions, you can streamline your daily tasks, improve your coding accuracy, and save time. Here’s the first part of a list featuring the top 20 Chrome extensions every web developer should install.
1. Web Developer
A comprehensive extension packed with essential tools for any web developer.
When to Use:
To quickly enable or disable JavaScript.
To analyze cookies and images.
To inspect and debug CSS and HTML.
How to Use: After installation, you’ll see a new toolbar in your browser. You can navigate through various tools to enable/disable elements or inspect code easily.
2. WhatFont
An easy tool to identify the fonts used on any website.
When to Use:
To quickly identify the fonts in use on a webpage.
To discover Google Web Fonts.
How to Use: Click the extension icon and hover over any text on a page to reveal the font name, size, and family.
3. ColorZilla
A handy color picker and analyzer for any webpage.
When to Use:
To select colors from a webpage for design purposes.
To analyze and generate color gradients.
How to Use: Use the eyedropper tool to pick any color from a page. The hex code will be automatically copied to your clipboard for use in your design.
4. Page Ruler Redux
An extension to measure page elements with virtual rulers.
When to Use:
To measure the dimensions between elements on a page.
To ensure design consistency across different screen sizes.
How to Use: Click the extension icon, then drag to create a ruler on the page to measure element sizes. Adjust the length and width to fit the areas you want to measure.
5. Wappalyzer
Identify the technologies that power any website.
When to Use:
To discover the frameworks, programming languages, and CMS a site is using.
To analyze competitors’ websites and their tech stack.
How to Use: Visit any site and click on the extension icon to see a full list of technologies used, from programming languages to analytics tools.
6. Lighthouse
A powerful tool by Google to audit website performance, accessibility, and SEO.
When to Use:
To assess website performance in terms of speed and responsiveness.
To improve SEO and accessibility.
How to Use: Open Lighthouse, click “Generate Report,” and it will provide a comprehensive analysis of your site with actionable suggestions.
7. JSONView
Displays JSON data in a readable, organized format.
When to Use:
To view and analyze JSON data easily.
When working with APIs.
How to Use: Open any page that contains raw JSON data, and the extension will automatically format it into a structured, readable format.
8. Responsive Viewer
Simultaneously preview your website’s design across multiple devices.
When to Use:
To test your website’s responsiveness across various devices and screen sizes.
To simulate custom screen sizes for design validation.
How to Use: Open the extension, select the devices and screen resolutions you want to test, and your website will be previewed on all of them simultaneously.
9. Clear Cache
Quickly clear your browser’s cache with one click.
When to Use:
To easily clear cookies and cached files during testing.
To ensure you’re viewing the most up-to-date version of a website.
How to Use: Click the extension icon to instantly clear cache, cookies, and other browsing data without navigating to browser settings.
10. Session Buddy
Manage your browsing sessions by saving and restoring tabs.
When to Use:
To organize multiple projects using saved browsing sessions.
To recover lost tabs or sessions.
How to Use: Save your current session with one click, and easily restore it later with all your tabs intact.
The first 10 extensions are just the beginning of what’s possible when it comes to enhancing your efficiency as a web developer. These tools lay the foundation for a more streamlined, productive workflow, but there’s more to explore. In the next installment, we’ll dive into another set of top-tier Chrome extensions that will further sharpen your skills and boost your development performance. Stay tuned for Part 2, where we continue to elevate your web development game to new heights!
#WebDevelopment
#DeveloperTools
#ChromeExtensions
#ProductivityHacks
#WebDevTools
#CodingLife
#DeveloperEfficiency
#BoostProductivity
#TechStack
#FrontendDeveloper
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Written by
Salman Iyad
Salman Iyad
I'm Salman Iyad, a passionate web developer with extensive experience in building robust applications using Next.js and React.js. My journey in tech is driven by a love for learning and problem-solving. I also have expertise in various technologies, including Node.js, MongoDB, and Tailwind CSS. Feel free to connect with me!