Are you tired of the cluttered layout of your development tools? Do you wish there was an easy way to reset it back to its default settings? Look no further! In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the simple steps on how to reset the layout of your Dev Tools, enabling you to reclaim a clean and organized workspace. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or just starting out, this guide will empower you to streamline your workflow and enhance your development experience.
The Dev Tools layout can become disorganized over time, especially if you’ve been using it extensively. Extensions, custom settings, and opened panels can accumulate, making it difficult to navigate and find the tools you need quickly. Resetting the layout allows you to revert to a clean slate, providing a fresh start for your development environment. This can be particularly useful when troubleshooting issues or when you want to restore the default settings for a specific project.
Follow the step-by-step instructions below to reset the layout of your Dev Tools. The process is quick and straightforward, and it will leave you with a renewed and efficient development environment. Once you’ve completed the reset, you can customize the layout to your liking, adding only the tools and panels you need for your specific workflow. By embracing the power of a well-organized Dev Tools layout, you can elevate your development process, increase your productivity, and enjoy a more streamlined coding experience.
Restoring Default DevTools Layout
If you have accidentally messed up the layout of your DevTools, you can easily restore the default layout by following these steps:
- Open the DevTools by pressing Ctrl+Shift+I (Windows/Linux) or Command+Option+I (macOS).
- Click on the Settings icon in the top-right corner of the DevTools.
- Click on Reset settings in the drop-down menu.
This will restore the DevTools to their default layout. You can also customize the layout of the DevTools to your liking by dragging and dropping the different panels.
Customizing the DevTools Layout
You can customize the layout of the DevTools to your liking by dragging and dropping the different panels.
Here is a table of the different panels in the DevTools:
Panel Description Elements Shows the HTML structure of the page. Console Shows the console log and allows you to execute JavaScript code. Sources Shows the source code of the page. Network Shows the network requests and responses. Performance Shows the performance of the page. Memory Shows the memory usage of the page. Application Shows information about the web application. You can drag and drop these panels to rearrange them to your liking. You can also click on the Dock to right or Dock to bottom buttons to dock the panels to the right or bottom of the DevTools window.
You can also change the size of the panels by dragging the borders of the panels.
Once you have customized the layout of the DevTools to your liking, you can save the layout by clicking on the Save layout button in the Settings menu.
Understanding the “Reset” Option
The “Reset” option in Chrome DevTools allows you to restore the layout and settings of the DevTools panel to their default state. This can be useful if you’ve accidentally changed or reset the layout or if you want to start fresh with a clean slate. To reset the DevTools layout, simply click on the three-dot menu icon in the upper-right corner of the DevTools panel and select “Reset”.
Additional Information
| Option | Description |
|—|—|
| Reset Settings | Restores all DevTools settings to their default values. |
| Reset Layout | Restores the DevTools layout to its default state. |
| Reset Both | Restores both the DevTools settings and the layout to their default values. |Resetting via the Command Line
Resetting the DevTools layout via the command line is a convenient option for users who prefer to work from the terminal. To do so, follow these steps:
1. Open the command line interface (CLI)
Launch the command line interface (CLI) on your operating system. For Windows users, this is Command Prompt, while Mac and Linux users can use Terminal.
2. Navigate to the DevTools directory
Use the `cd` command to navigate to the DevTools directory. The default location for DevTools is:
Operating System Default Location Windows %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\[chrome version]\ Mac ~/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome/Default/Extensions/[chrome version]/ Linux ~/.config/google-chrome/default/extensions/[chrome version]/ 3. Reset the DevTools layout
Run the following command to reset the DevTools layout:
“`
mv Default/local-storage/leveldb-chrome.ldb Default/local-storage/leveldb-chrome.ldb.bak; cp Default/local-storage/_def_to_del/leveldb-chrome.ldb Default/local-storage/leveldb-chrome.ldb
“`This command essentially moves the existing `leveldb-chrome.ldb` file to a backup (`leveldb-chrome.ldb.bak`) and copies a new, default `leveldb-chrome.ldb` file from the `_def_to_del` directory. As a result, the DevTools layout will be reset to its default settings.
Using Keyboard Shortcuts for Reset
If you’re more comfortable with keyboard commands, you can use a few shortcuts to reset your DevTools layout. Here’s how:
1. Reset Single Panel
To reset a specific panel, select it from the top-level DevTools window and press **Ctrl** + **0** (**Cmd** + **0** on Mac).
2. Reset All Panels
To reset all panels simultaneously, press **Ctrl** + **Shift** + **0** (**Cmd** + **Shift** + **0** on Mac).
3. Reset to Default Settings
To reset all DevTools settings, including the layout, to their default values, press **Ctrl** + **Shift** + **A** (**Cmd** + **Shift** + **A** on Mac).
4. Advanced Reset via Console
For a more customizable reset, you can use the DevTools Console. Open the Console by pressing **Ctrl** + **Shift** + **J** (**Cmd** + **Option** + **J** on Mac), then run the following command:
Command Description DevTools.reset()Resets all DevTools settings to their default values, including the layout. Alternatively, you can use the following command to reset only the layout:
Command Description DevTools.restoreDefaultDockConfiguration()Restores the default dock layout for all panels. Alternative Reset Methods
1. Using the Command Palette
Open the Command Palette using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+P (macOS), and type “Reset DevTools Layout.” Select the appropriate command and confirm the reset.
2. Using the Gear Icon
Click the gear icon in the upper-right corner of the DevTools panel and select the “Reset DevTools Layout” option from the dropdown menu.
3. Manually Deleting the DevTools Config File
Locate the DevTools config file (typically named “Local Storage” or “DevTools Local Storage”) in your user profile directory. Delete the file to reset the DevTools layout.
4. Using a Browser Extension
Install a browser extension like “DevTools Reset” or “DevTools Layout Manager” to perform the reset operation with additional customization options.
5. Using the DevTools Reset Script
Create a new JavaScript file in your browser’s console (e.g., Ctrl+Shift+J) and paste the following script:
“`js
fetch(‘https://chromedevtools.github.io/devtools-reset-layout/reset-layout.json’)
.then(response => response.json())
.then(json => {
chrome.storage.local.set(json);
window.location.reload();
});
“`Press Enter to execute the script and reload the DevTools panel.
Platform Config File Location Windows %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data macOS ~/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome/Default/Local Storage Customize Toolbar After Reset
Once you’ve reset the DevTools layout, you can customize the toolbar to your liking. Here’s how:
1. Open the Toolbar Customization Menu
Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner of the DevTools toolbar and select Customize Toolbar.
2. Add or Remove Tools
Drag and drop tools from the Available Tools list to the toolbar. To remove a tool, drag it back to the Available Tools list.
3. Reorder Tools
Drag and drop tools within the toolbar to reorder them.
4. Rename Tools
Right-click on a tool and select Rename. Enter a new name for the tool.
5. Group Tools
Drag and drop one tool onto another to create a group. You can then drag and drop tools into and out of the group.
6. Save and Restore Customizations
To save your toolbar customizations, click the Save button in the toolbar customization menu. To restore your customizations, click the Restore button.
Options Description Custom Your saved toolbar customization. Default Restores the default DevTools toolbar layout. Reset to factory defaults Restores the original DevTools toolbar layout. Troubleshooting Reset Issues
Resetting your Dev Tools layout usually brings back everything to its default position, but there are some instances when the procedure may not work as expected. Encountering issues when resetting your Dev Tools layout can be frustrating, but with the right troubleshooting techniques, you can get it back to working order.
1. Check for conflicting extensions
Some browser extensions may interfere with the Dev Tools’ reset function. If you’re unable to reset your layout, try disabling all your extensions and then check if the problem persists.
2. Reset browser to default settings
Sometimes, the issue doesn’t lie with the Dev Tools itself but with the overall browser settings. Resetting your browser to its default settings can resolve this.
3. Clear Dev Tools storage
The Dev Tools has its own storage where it saves preferences and history. Clearing this storage might help fix the reset issue.
4. Inspect Dev Tools settings file
Locate the Dev Tools settings file (usually in the form of a JSON file) and inspect its contents. Check if any of the settings are overriding the default layout.
5. Disable hardware acceleration
Hardware acceleration is a feature that can improve browser performance, but it can also interfere with the Dev Tools layout. Try disabling this feature and see if it solves the problem.
6. Update browser
Make sure that your browser is up-to-date. The latest version may include bug fixes that address issues with resetting the Dev Tools layout.
7. Report the issue
If you’ve tried all the above steps and you’re still experiencing issues, you can report the bug to the Chromium team using their issue tracker. Provide a detailed description of the problem and any relevant information that might help them investigate the issue.
Managing Persistent Changes
When you make changes to the DevTools layout, those changes are typically preserved across browser sessions. However, there are a few ways to reset the layout to its default state.
Resetting the Layout from the Command Menu
To reset the DevTools layout from the command menu, click on the three vertical dots in the upper-right corner of the DevTools window and select “Reset layout”.
Resetting the Layout from the Settings
To reset the DevTools layout from the settings, open the DevTools settings panel by clicking on the gear icon in the upper-right corner of the DevTools window. Then, select the “Reset” tab and click on the “Reset layout” button.
Resetting the Layout from the Command Line
To reset the DevTools layout from the command line, open the Developer Tools console by pressing Ctrl+Shift+J (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Option+J (Mac). Then, enter the following command:
DevTools.resetLayout()
Resetting the Layout from the Registry (Windows Only)
On Windows, you can also reset the DevTools layout by deleting the following registry key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Google\Chrome\DevTools\Default\Window
Resetting the Layout from the Profile Directory
On all platforms, you can reset the DevTools layout by deleting the following file from the Chrome profile directory:
DevTools Window State
The Chrome profile directory is typically located at the following path:
Platform Location Windows %LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data\Profile 1 Mac ~/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome/Default Linux ~/.config/google-chrome/Default Resetting DevTools Layout
To reset the layout of DevTools to its default settings:
- Click the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner of DevTools.
- Select “Restore Default Layout.”
- Click “OK” to confirm.
Tips for Efficient DevTools Usage
Dock and Undock
Dock or undock DevTools by clicking the “Dock/Undock” button in the upper-right corner. When docked, DevTools will be attached to the bottom of the browser window, while when undocked it will float as a separate window.
Customizing Panels
Add, remove, or rearrange panels by clicking the “Configure” button in the bottom-left corner. From there, you can select which panels to display and drag them to desired positions.
Keyboard Shortcuts
Use these common keyboard shortcuts to navigate and use DevTools efficiently:
Shortcut Action Esc Close DevTools F1 Show Help F6 Cycle between tools Ctrl/Cmd + F Find a specific setting or tool Ctrl/Cmd + J Open Console tab Ctrl/Cmd + K Open Network tab Split View
Split DevTools into two or more vertical or horizontal panes to view multiple sections simultaneously. Click the “Split” button in the top-right corner of DevTools to create a split view.
Toggle Device Emulation
Simulate device emulation to test your web application’s responsiveness across various devices. Click the “Device” button in the bottom-left corner to access device emulation options.
Capture Screenshots
Take screenshots of the website or specific elements using the “Capture Screenshot” button in the top-right corner. You can capture the entire screen, the viewport, or a selected element.
Clear Network Cache
Clear the browser’s network cache to prevent DevTools from using cached responses. Click the “Refresh” button in the Network tab, or click the three-dot menu and select “Clear Cache.”
Reload Without Cache
Force a page to reload without using cached resources. Hold down the “Ctrl/Cmd” key while clicking the “Reload” button in the top-left corner of the browser window.
1. Refresh the Page
The simplest way to reset DevTools is to refresh the page. This will close all open DevTools panels and restore them to their default layout. To refresh the page, press **Ctrl+R** (Windows) or **Cmd+R** (Mac).
2. Close and Reopen DevTools
Another way to reset DevTools is to close and then reopen it. To close DevTools, click the **X** button in the top-right corner of the DevTools window. To reopen DevTools, press **Ctrl+Shift+I** (Windows) or **Cmd+Option+I** (Mac).
3. Use the Reset DevTools Layout Shortcut
There is a keyboard shortcut that you can use to reset the DevTools layout. To use this shortcut, press **Ctrl+Shift+P** (Windows) or **Cmd+Shift+P** (Mac) and then type **Reset DevTools layout**. This will reset the DevTools layout to its default settings.
4. Use the DevTools Settings Menu
You can also reset the DevTools layout using the DevTools settings menu. To access the settings menu, click the gear icon in the top-right corner of the DevTools window. Then, select the **Reset settings** option.
5. Delete the DevTools Cache
The DevTools cache can sometimes become corrupted, which can cause problems with the DevTools layout. To delete the DevTools cache, close DevTools and then delete the following directory:
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\DevTools6. Uninstall and Reinstall Chrome
If none of the above methods work, you can try uninstalling and reinstalling Chrome. This will delete all of your Chrome data, including your DevTools settings. To uninstall Chrome, go to the Control Panel (Windows) or the Applications folder (Mac) and select **Uninstall a program**. Then, find Chrome in the list of installed programs and click the **Uninstall** button.
7. Use a DevTools Extension
There are a number of DevTools extensions that can help you to reset the DevTools layout. One popular extension is **Reset DevTools Layout**. This extension adds a button to the DevTools toolbar that you can click to reset the DevTools layout.
8. Report a Bug
If you are unable to reset the DevTools layout using any of the methods above, you can report a bug to the Chrome team. To report a bug, go to the Chrome bug tracker and create a new issue.
9. Best Practices for Resetting DevTools
When resetting DevTools, it is important to consider the following best practices:
- First, try the simplest methods first. Refreshing the page or closing and reopening DevTools are often the easiest ways to reset the DevTools layout.
- If the simple methods do not work, try using the DevTools settings menu or the Reset DevTools Layout shortcut.
- If you are still having problems, try deleting the DevTools cache or using a DevTools extension.
- As a last resort, you can uninstall and reinstall Chrome.
- If you are unable to reset the DevTools layout using any of the above methods, you can report a bug to the Chrome team.
10. Additional Resources
The following resources can provide you with additional information about resetting DevTools:
Resource Description Chrome DevTools troubleshooting This page provides general troubleshooting tips for Chrome DevTools. Stack Overflow questions tagged with “devtools” This page contains a collection of Stack Overflow questions and answers related to DevTools. Chrome DevTools issue tracker This page allows you to report bugs and request features for Chrome DevTools. How To Reset Dev Tools Layout
If you’ve accidentally closed a DevTools panel or changed its layout, you can reset it to its default settings. Here’s how:
- Open DevTools.
- Click the three dots in the upper-right corner of the DevTools window.
- Select **Reset layout**.
People Also Ask About How To Reset Dev Tools Layout
Can I customize the DevTools layout?
Yes, you can customize the DevTools layout by dragging and dropping panels around the window. You can also close panels by clicking the “X” button in the upper-right corner of each panel.
Where are the DevTools settings stored?
The DevTools settings are stored in the Chrome profile. This means that the settings will be the same on all devices that you’re signed in to with your Chrome account.
How do I disable DevTools?
You can disable DevTools by going to **Settings** > **More tools** > **Developer tools**. Uncheck the box next to **Enable Developer Tools**.
