Best Chrome Extensions for Web Developers
Chrome extensions are useful tools for web developers, adding functionality for debugging, design inspection, API testing, performance and accessibility checks. This list sits alongside our general guide to the best Chrome extensions. Select an extension’s name to open its listing in the Chrome Web Store.
Code Inspection and Debugging Extensions
- React Developer Tools: Essential for inspecting React component hierarchies in Chrome DevTools.
- Redux DevTools: Debug your application’s state changes.
- Vue.js devtools: A DevTools extension for debugging Vue.js apps.
CSS and Design Tools
- CSS Peeper: Inspect a website’s styles without digging through code.
- ColorZilla: Provides an eyedropper, color picker and gradient generator.
- WhatFont: Identifies fonts on web pages with ease.
API Testing Extensions
- Postman Interceptor: Captures requests from any website and sends them to the Postman app, which is widely used for API development and testing.
Performance Monitoring Tools
- Lighthouse: Audits performance, accessibility, SEO and more. It is built into Chrome DevTools as the Lighthouse panel (Chrome for Developers), and Google also publishes a Lighthouse extension.
- PageSpeed Insights: A website, not an extension. Enter a URL at pagespeed.web.dev to test that page’s performance.
Accessibility Testing Extensions
- axe DevTools: Automated testing for web accessibility.
- WAVE Evaluation Tool: Evaluates web accessibility within your browser.
Managing Extensions in Chrome
Follow these steps to manage your extensions (Google’s guide):
- Open Chrome and go to
chrome://extensions, or at the top right select More > Extensions > Manage Extensions. - Turn on Developer mode if you need to load an unpacked extension you are building.
- Select Details on an extension to change its site access or allow it in Incognito.
- Use the toggle switch to turn extensions on or off.
Understanding Manifest V3
Manifest V3 is the current Chrome extension platform. According to Chrome for Developers, the key changes are:
- The background page is replaced by a service worker that runs only when needed.
- Extensions can no longer run remotely hosted code. They can only run JavaScript included in their package, which the Chrome Web Store reviews.
- The blocking version of the webRequest API is replaced by the declarativeNetRequest API for many uses.
All remaining Manifest V2 extensions have been removed from the Chrome Web Store (timeline), so every extension you can install there today uses Manifest V3.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I update my Chrome extensions?
Chrome periodically checks for new versions of installed extensions and updates them automatically (Chrome for Developers).
Can I use Chrome extensions on mobile devices?
No. Extensions run in Chrome on a computer, not in Chrome on Android, iPhone or iPad.
What should I do if an extension crashes Chrome?
Turn off the problematic extension in Manage Extensions and report the issue to the developer.
Are all Chrome extensions safe to install?
Not necessarily. Always review permissions and the publisher before installing, and only approve extensions you trust.
How do I uninstall a Chrome extension?
In Manage Extensions, select Remove on the extension you want to uninstall, then confirm.
By understanding and utilizing these Chrome extensions and management tips, web developers can greatly enhance their productivity and workflow.