What is React DevTools? 10 React DevTools — Extensions

Blog Sea
4 min readOct 6, 2023

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In the fast-paced world of web development, having the right set of tools is crucial to streamline your workflow and boost productivity. When it comes to building web applications with React JS, one indispensable ally is React DevTools.

In this article, we’ll dive into the world of React DevTools, showing you how to install and use them effectively. Additionally, we’ll explore a list of top React JS development tools that you should consider in 2023. Let’s get started!

What is React DevTools?

React DevTools is a browser extension that enhances the React development experience. It allows developers to inspect React component hierarchies, view and modify component props and states, and even time travel through the changes in a React application. With React DevTools, developers gain invaluable insights into their application’s structure and behavior, making debugging and optimization a breeze.

How to Install React DevTools?

Getting React DevTools up and running is a straightforward process. Here’s a step-by-step guide to installing them:

Step 1: Choose Your Browser

React DevTools is available for multiple browsers, including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and others. Start by selecting the browser you prefer.

Step 2: Install the Extension

Navigate to your chosen browser’s extension store (e.g., Chrome Web Store or Firefox Add-ons) and search for “React DevTools.” Click on the extension, then click “Add” or “Install” to add it to your browser.

Step 3: Activate React DevTools

Once the extension is installed, you should see the React DevTools icon in your browser’s toolbar. Click on the icon to activate it.

How to Use React Developer Tools?

Now that you have React DevTools installed, let’s explore how to use them effectively:

Inspecting Components

  1. Open your React application in the browser.
  2. Right-click on an element in your application and select “Inspect” or “Inspect Element.”
  3. Navigate to the “React” or “Components” tab in your browser’s developer tools.

Modifying Props and State

This feature is incredibly useful for testing different scenarios and debugging issues related to props and state.

  1. In the React DevTools panel, select a component you want to inspect.
  2. On the right-hand side, you’ll find tabs for “Props” and “State.” Click on them to view and modify the component’s data.

Time Travel Debugging

One of the most powerful features of React DevTools is time-travel debugging. It allows you to record and replay component state changes, helping you identify the source of bugs or unexpected behavior in your application.

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Top 10 React JS Development Tools List — 2023

In addition to React DevTools, here’s a list of other essential development tools for React JS in 2023:

ESLint is a static code analysis tool that helps you maintain code quality and consistency in your React projects. It can be integrated seamlessly into your code editor.

Prettier is a code format that ensures your code is consistently styled, enhancing readability and collaboration among team members. Learn more

If you’re using Redux for state management in your React applications, Redux DevTools provides invaluable insights into your application’s state changes and actions. Learn more

Webpack is a powerful bundler that helps you manage your project’s assets and dependencies efficiently. It’s a must-have tool for modern React development. Learn more

Jest is a JavaScript testing framework that simplifies unit testing and integration testing of React components. It’s known for its speed and ease of use. Learn more

Storybook is a development environment for designing and testing UI components in isolation. It’s perfect for creating and documenting UI components in your React project. Learn more

Cypress is an end-to-end testing framework that ensures your React application functions correctly from the user’s perspective. Learn more

If your React app uses GraphQL for data fetching, GraphQL Playground provides a user-friendly interface for exploring and testing GraphQL queries and mutations. Learn more

Netlify is a hosting and automation platform that makes deploying React applications a breeze. It offers features like continuous integration and serverless functions. Learn more

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Conclusion

In conclusion, React DevTools are an indispensable asset for React JS developers. They provide deep insights into your application’s components, making development and debugging more efficient.

Additionally, staying updated with the latest React JS development tools, like those mentioned in our list for 2023, can significantly enhance your development workflow and product quality.

Originally published at https://blogsea.net on October 6, 2023.

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