Usefull Chrome Browser tips
Tags: webdev, javascript, beginners, programming
Published: 2023-09-17 13:43:11

Chrome is a popular web browser among programmers because of its developer-friendly features and extensions. Here are some tips to make the most of Chrome for programming:

## 1. [Developer Tools:](https://amzn.to/467DBGI)

Chrome's built-in Developer Tools are a goldmine for programmers. You can access them by right-clicking on a webpage and selecting "Inspect" or pressing `Ctrl+Shift+I` (or `Cmd+Option+I` on Mac). Some key features include:
   - **Console**: Great for debugging JavaScript code.
   - **Elements**: Inspect and modify HTML and CSS in real time.
   - **Sources**: Debug JavaScript using breakpoints and watch expressions.
   - **Network**: Monitor network activity for debugging API requests.

2. **Extensions**: Chrome has a vast library of extensions tailored for developers. Some popular ones include:
   - **Gitzip**: Quickly download files from GitHub repositories.
   - **JSON Viewer**: Formats JSON responses for easier readability.
   - **ColorZilla**: Helps identify and copy colors from web pages.
   - **Web Developer**: Adds various web development tools to your browser.

3. **Custom Search Engines**: Create custom search engines in Chrome to quickly search programming documentation. For example, you can set up a custom search for MDN Web Docs or Stack Overflow. To add one, go to Chrome's settings, search for "Manage search engines," and click "Add."

4. **Sync Across Devices**: If you use Chrome on multiple devices, make sure to sync your settings, bookmarks, and extensions. This way, you can have a consistent development environment everywhere.

5. **Bookmark Folders**: Organize your bookmarks into folders, categorizing them by programming languages, frameworks, or topics. This makes it easier to find relevant resources quickly.

6. **Tab Management**: When you have numerous tabs open, it can become overwhelming. Consider using extensions like "One Tab" or "The Great Suspender" to save memory and organize your tabs.

7. **Shortcut Keys**: Chrome has several keyboard shortcuts that can improve your productivity:
   - `Ctrl+T` (or `Cmd+T` on Mac) to open a new tab.
   - `Ctrl+Shift+T` (or `Cmd+Shift+T` on Mac) to reopen the last closed tab.
   - `Ctrl+L` (or `Cmd+L` on Mac) to quickly focus the address bar.

8. **Incognito Mode**: Use Incognito Mode (`Ctrl+Shift+N` or `Cmd+Shift+N` on Mac) for testing websites without any cached data or logged-in sessions. It's handy for troubleshooting.

9. **Profiles**: Create multiple user profiles in Chrome for different programming projects or tasks. Each profile can have its own set of extensions, bookmarks, and settings.

10. **Task Manager**: Chrome has its own task manager (Shift+Esc) that can help you identify which tabs or extensions are consuming the most memory or CPU.

11. **Experimental Features**: Chrome often includes experimental features that can enhance your browsing experience. You can access these by typing `chrome://flags/` in the address bar.

12. **Updates**: Ensure Chrome is regularly updated to take advantage of security patches and new features.

13. **Security and Privacy**: Be cautious about extensions and permissions. Only install trusted extensions and regularly review your settings for privacy and security.

14. **URL Schemes**: Chrome supports URL schemes like `chrome://extensions/` or `chrome://settings/`. You can use these to quickly access specific browser settings.

15. **Search Bar Shortcuts**: Use the Omnibox (the address bar) to do quick calculations, and conversions, or look up programming-related information. For example, you can type "10 USD to EUR" or "sqrt(64)" directly into the Omnibox.

By incorporating these tips and tricks, you can maximize your productivity and efficiency as a programmer using the Chrome browser.

## How to reduce storage for Chrome

If you want to reduce the storage used by the Chrome browser on your computer, you can take the following steps:

1. **Clear Browsing Data**:

   - Open Chrome.
   - Click on the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner.
   - Go to "History" and then "History" again.
   - On the left sidebar, click "Clear browsing data."
   - Select a time range for the data you want to delete. If you want to clear everything, select "All time."
   - Check the types of data you want to remove, such as browsing history, cookies, cached images, and files.
   - Click "Clear data."

2. **Manage Extensions**:

   - Some extensions can accumulate data over time. Review your extensions and remove any that you no longer use or that are resource-intensive.
   - Click on the three-dot menu icon, then go to "Extensions."
   - Disable or remove extensions as needed.

3. **Limit Cache Size**:

   - Chrome uses disk caching to speed up browsing. You can limit the cache size to reduce storage usage:
     - Type `chrome://settings` in the address bar and press Enter.
     - Scroll down and click on "Advanced."
     - Under the "Privacy and security" section, click on "Clear browsing data."
     - Check the box for "Cached images and files."
     - Click "Clear data."

4. **Manage Downloads**:

   - Check your Downloads folder within Chrome for files you no longer need and delete them.
   - You can also set Chrome to ask where to save each file before downloading, which can help you keep track of downloaded files.

5. **Adjust Chrome Settings**:

   - Type `chrome://settings` in the address bar and press Enter.
   - Scroll down and click on "Advanced."
   - Under "Privacy and security," you can:
     - Turn off "Use a prediction service to help complete searches and URLs typed in the address bar" to reduce data usage.
     - Disable "Preload pages for faster browsing and searching" to save storage space.

6. **Uninstall and Reinstall Chrome**:

   - If you've tried the above steps and still find that Chrome is using a significant amount of storage, you can consider uninstalling and then reinstalling Chrome. This will remove all data associated with Chrome, so make sure to back up any essential bookmarks or settings first.

7. **Use Chrome's Cleanup Tool**:

   - Chrome offers a built-in Cleanup Tool to help with unwanted software and optimize your browser. You can access it by typing `chrome://settings/cleanup` in the address bar and pressing Enter.

Remember that while these steps can help reduce storage usage, some storage will always be used by Chrome for essential browser components and settings. Additionally, the amount of storage reduction you can achieve may vary depending on your browsing habits and the amount of data you regularly interact with.

## Some Useful extensions for chrome
Chrome has a vast library of extensions that cater to a wide range of interests and needs. Here are some cool and popular extensions across various categories:

**Productivity and Organization:**

1. **Grammarly**: Helps you write error-free content by checking spelling and grammar as you type.

2. **LastPass**: A password manager that securely stores and auto-fills your passwords.

3. **OneTab**: Reduces tab clutter by converting all your open tabs into a single list for easy access.

4. **Todoist**: A task manager and to-do list organizer to help you stay productive.

5. **Pocket**: Save articles, videos, and web content to read or watch later, even offline.

**Developer and Designer Tools:**

6. **ColorZilla**: Allows you to pick colors from web pages and generate color palettes.

7. **Web Developer**: Adds various web development tools to your browser for debugging and testing.

8. **Octotree**: Enhances GitHub by adding a code tree sidebar to easily navigate repositories.

9. **JSON Formatter**: Formats and highlights JSON for easier reading.

10. **Wappalyzer**: Identifies the technologies used on websites, including CMS, frameworks, and more.

**Privacy and Security:**

11. **uBlock Origin**: A powerful ad blocker that helps speed up browsing and improve security.

12. **HTTPS Everywhere**: Ensures that you connect to websites using secure, encrypted connections whenever possible.

13. **Privacy Badger**: Blocks invisible trackers and protects your privacy while browsing.

14. **Bitwarden**: An open-source password manager and secure vault.

15. **DuckDuckGo Privacy Essentials**: Enhances your privacy by blocking hidden trackers and providing a private search engine.

**Entertainment and Fun:**

16. **Honey**: Automatically finds and applies coupon codes when shopping online.

17. **Reddit Enhancement Suite**: Enhances the Reddit experience with various features and customization options.

18. **The Great Suspender**: Automatically suspends inactive tabs to save memory and CPU.

19. **Dark Reader**: Enables dark mode on websites, reducing eye strain.

20. **Momentum**: A beautiful dashboard with a to-do list, weather, and inspiring quotes.

**News and Reading:**

21. **Feedly Mini**: Quickly add articles to your Feedly feed for later reading.

22. **Mercury Reader**: Removes distractions from web articles, making them easier to read.

23. **Pushbullet**: Allows you to send links, files, and notes between devices seamlessly.

24. **Session Buddy**: Manage your open tabs and sessions, saving and restoring them as needed.

25. **NewsGuard**: Provides credibility ratings and information about news sources.

**Social Media and Communication:**

26. **Grammarly for Chrome**: Check grammar and spelling in your social media posts and emails.

27. **Boomerang for Gmail**: Schedule emails to be sent later and set reminders for follow-ups.

28. **Checker Plus for Gmail**: A powerful Gmail notifier with various features and customization options.

29. **TweetDeck by Twitter**: A powerful Twitter management tool for advanced users.

30. **Enhancer for YouTube**: Enhances your YouTube experience with features like cinema mode, custom themes, and more.

Remember to review the permissions and reviews for any extension you install to ensure it's trustworthy and safe to use. Chrome extensions can significantly enhance your browsing experience and productivity, so feel free to explore the Chrome Web Store to discover even more useful extensions tailored to your needs.