20 Browser Extensions For Web Design & Development

Introduction

This tutorial provides a comprehensive overview of 20 essential browser extensions for web design and development, as highlighted in the video by Traversy Media. These tools enhance productivity, streamline design processes, and improve testing and debugging. Whether you're a seasoned developer or just starting, these extensions can significantly boost your workflow.

Step 1: Install ColorZilla

• Purpose: A color picker and gradient generator for web designers.
• How to Use:
  • After installation, click the ColorZilla icon in your browser.
  • Use the eyedropper tool to select any color from the webpage.
  • Generate gradients and copy color codes in various formats (hex, rgba, etc.).

Step 2: Use WhatFont

• Purpose: Quickly identify fonts used on a webpage.
• How to Use:
  • Activate the extension by clicking the WhatFont icon.
  • Hover over text to see the font name, size, and line height.
  • Click on the text for more detailed information.

Step 3: Analyze with Wappalyzer

• Purpose: Identify technologies used on websites.
• How to Use:
  • Click the Wappalyzer icon to see a list of detected technologies.
  • Learn about the frameworks, libraries, and content management systems in use.

Step 4: Utilize Web Developer

• Purpose: Access a suite of web development tools.
• How to Use:
  • Open the extension to find tools for CSS, forms, images, and more.
  • Use the "Disable" options to troubleshoot layout issues.

Step 5: Enable Dark Reader

• Purpose: Apply a dark theme to websites for better readability.
• How to Use:
  • Click the Dark Reader icon to toggle dark mode on and off.
  • Adjust brightness, contrast, and sepia settings as needed.

Step 6: Format JSON with JSON Formatter

• Purpose: View and analyze JSON data in a readable format.
• How to Use:
  • Paste your JSON data into the formatter for easy viewing.
  • The extension beautifies the JSON structure for better clarity.

Step 7: Manage Sessions with Session Buddy

• Purpose: Save and restore browser sessions easily.
• How to Use:
  • Click the Session Buddy icon to save open tabs.
  • Restore sessions later to resume your work seamlessly.

Step 8: Use Fake Filler

• Purpose: Fill forms with placeholder data for testing.
• How to Use:
  • Activate the extension to input random data into form fields.
  • Customize the types of data filled (names, emails, etc.).

Step 9: View Source Quickly with Quick Source Viewer

• Purpose: Access the source code of web pages effortlessly.
• How to Use:
  • Click the extension to open the source code in a new tab.
  • Navigate through the code for easy inspection.

Step 10: Inspect CSS with CSS Viewer

• Purpose: View CSS properties of elements on a page.
• How to Use:
  • Activate the extension and hover over elements to see their CSS styles.
  • Copy styles for use in your projects.

Step 11: Switch User Agent with User Agent Switcher

• Purpose: Test how websites behave on different devices.
• How to Use:
  • Select a device profile from the dropdown menu.
  • Refresh the page to see the site as if viewed on that device.

Step 12: Design with Visbug

• Purpose: Edit web pages visually without code.
• How to Use:
  • Activate Visbug to click and directly edit text, images, and styles on the page.
  • Use the toolbar for adjustments like spacing, alignment, and color.

Step 13: Stay Updated with Daily.Dev

• Purpose: Access a curated feed of development news.
• How to Use:
  • Use the extension to browse articles and topics relevant to web development.
  • Customize your feed preferences to stay informed.

Step 14: Debug with LT Debug

• Purpose: Debug JavaScript and inspect local storage.
• How to Use:
  • Open the extension to view console logs and local storage entries.
  • Identify issues quickly with a user-friendly interface.

Step 15: Check Links with Check My Links

• Purpose: Validate links on web pages.
• How to Use:
  • Run the extension to scan a webpage for broken links.
  • Review the results to ensure all links are functioning.

Step 16: Follow a Web Developer Checklist

• Purpose: Ensure your web development process is thorough.
• How to Use:
  • Access the checklist to review best practices and essential steps.
  • Use it as a guide during your development projects.

Step 17: Organize Tasks with Click Up

• Purpose: Manage projects and tasks efficiently.
• How to Use:
  • Utilize Click Up to create tasks, set deadlines, and track progress.
  • Integrate with other tools for a streamlined workflow.

Step 18: Optimize with Checkbot

• Purpose: Analyze SEO and performance of your website.
• How to Use:
  • Run the extension to identify issues and receive recommendations.
  • Follow the tips to improve your site’s efficiency.

Step 19: Use IE Tab

• Purpose: View websites as they appear in Internet Explorer.
• How to Use:
  • Open the extension and enter the URL to test compatibility.
  • Identify issues specific to IE for improved cross-browser support.

Step 20: Generate Placeholder Text with Lorem Ipsum Generator

• Purpose: Create dummy text for design mockups.
• How to Use:
  • Activate the generator to produce placeholder text quickly.
  • Customize the amount of text needed for your design.

Conclusion

These 20 browser extensions can greatly enhance your web design and development experience. By integrating these tools into your workflow, you can improve productivity, streamline testing, and ensure better design outcomes. Explore each extension to discover how they fit into your projects, and don’t hesitate to share your findings with others in the development community.