Developer Productivity Hacks Using Browser DevTools

When you think of Developer Tools (DevTools), you probably imagine using them just for debugging JavaScript errors or inspecting HTML elements. But here’s the thing — DevTools are actually packed with hidden features that can supercharge your productivity.

Generated By AI.

Whether you’re building a small side project or maintaining a complex web app, mastering DevTools can save you hours every week. Let’s dive into some underrated productivity hacks you can start using right now.

1. Use the Console Like a Mini IDE

The Console isn’t just for logging — it’s a lightweight coding playground!

You can run snippets of JavaScript directly inside the console. For instance:

document.querySelectorAll('button').forEach(btn => btn.style.background = 'red');

Boom 💥 — all buttons on your page turn red.

But here’s the real magic:

• Use $_ to access the result of the last evaluated expression.
• Use $0, $1, etc., to reference elements you recently inspected in the Elements panel.

Example:
Inspect a <div> element → open Console → type $0.style.backgroundColor = 'green'.
You’ve just updated the element instantly without touching your code.