?? 5 Hidden Chrome DevTools Features Every QA/SDET Must Know in 2025!
Hardik Chotaliya
? Expert in Test Automation | Selenium Specialist | CI/CD Integrator | Architect of Scalable Automation Frameworks | Enhancing Quality with 10+ Years of Experience
Are you ready to supercharge your QA and automation testing workflow? Chrome DevTools is an indispensable tool for every QA Engineer and SDET, yet many of its most powerful features often go unnoticed. Here are five hidden gems tailored for testing and debugging that can elevate your productivity and ensure quality in your applications.
1?? Capture Node Screenshot
Forget capturing the entire screen and cropping unnecessary elements! Chrome DevTools lets you capture a screenshot of any specific DOM element.
How to use it:
?? QA Example: Use this feature to capture screenshots of a specific error message or a misaligned UI component and attach it to your bug report for better clarity.
??? Image: Included a GIF highlighting the "Capture Node Screenshot" feature.
2?? Simulate Network Throttling
Testing performance on different network speeds is crucial for delivering a seamless user experience. DevTools allows you to emulate slow network conditions without external tools.
How to use it:
?? QA Example: Validate that a video player gracefully switches to a lower resolution or pauses buffering on slow networks.
??? Image: A GIF showing a page loading with network throttling enabled.
3?? Copy as cURL
Want to replicate an API call in your terminal or Postman? Chrome DevTools lets you copy network requests as cURL commands.
How to use it:
?? QA Example: Quickly debug failing API calls by reproducing them in Postman and comparing the responses.
??? Image: Show the "Copy as cURL" option being used in the Network tab.
4?? Command Menu
The Command Menu is a Swiss Army knife for DevTools power users. It allows you to quickly access hidden features or perform tasks like clearing cookies or switching themes.
How to use it:
? QA Example: Use it to disable cache while testing to ensure fresh content is loaded on every page refresh.
领英推荐
??? Image: Highlight the Command Menu interface with an example query.
5?? CSS Overview Panel
The CSS Overview Panel gives you a detailed summary of the CSS used on your page, including unused styles and colour statistics.
How to use it:
?? QA Example: Use this feature to identify redundant styles in your web app and ensure consistency in colour schemes.
??? Image: Include a GIF of a CSS Overview analysis showing colour statistics.
?? Wrapping Up
Chrome DevTools is more than just an inspection tool—it’s a powerhouse for QA Engineers and Automation Testers. Leveraging these hidden features can streamline your testing efforts, enhance debugging precision, and improve overall application quality.
?? What’s your go-to DevTools feature? Share your tips and tricks in the comments below!
#QA #AutomationTesting #ChromeDevTools #SDET #SoftwareTesting #Testing
?? Connect with Me ??
If you found this blog helpful, feel free to check out more content on my personal blog,
?? Blog: My Blog
?? Portfolio: My Portfolio
?? GitHub: My GitHub Profile
?? LinkedIn: My LinkedIn Profile
Let’s connect and discuss more tools and techniques that can elevate our QA game! ??
?? Blogs Must Read
1?? The Ultimate Toolset for Becoming a Top 1% SDET ??
2?? Commit Like a Pro: Mastering Git Messages for QA Engineers (SDET Edition) ??
I write technical stuffs for humans. Follow me to learn how.
2 个月Thanks for sharing these QA tips Hardik!
Principal SDET @ Brightly (A Siemens co.) | Test Engineering | Engineering leader| Engineering Productivity | 10+ years in driving Quality, automation, and leading teams.
2 个月Learn two new use cases (1 & 5). Thanks for sharing
Creative Problem Solver, Passionate to learn, love to motivate people to achieve their goals
2 个月Any powerful usecase for #1? Looks like multiple steps for something easier Rest all, good points. Thanks for sharing.