Here’s a quick rundown of the top tools web developers need in 2024:
- Visual Studio Code - Free code editor with extensions
- GitHub - Version control and collaboration platform
- Chrome DevTools - Built-in browser debugging tools
- Node.js - JavaScript runtime for server-side development
- NPM - Module bundler and asset manager
- Astro - Static site generator and web framework
- Insomnia - API development and testing platform
- Netlify - Hosting and serverless
- Playwright - End-to-end testing framework
- Figma - Collaborative design tool with developer handoff features
These tools cover the core needs of modern web development - from coding and testing to deployment and collaboration. Using them can boost your productivity and help you build better web applications.
1. Visual Studio Code
Visual Studio Code (VS Code) stands out as a top choice for web developers in 2024. According to the 2023 Stack Overflow Developer Survey, 73.71% of respondents use VS Code as their preferred integrated development environment (IDE).
VS Code offers:
- Cross-platform compatibility: Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux
- Built-in debugging tools: Streamlines the development process
- Git integration: Simplifies version control
- IntelliSense: Provides smart code completion
- Extensive marketplace: Offers thousands of free extensions
One of VS Code’s key strengths is its customizability. Developers can tailor their workspace by installing extensions that boost productivity and enhance functionality.
| Extension | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Prettier | Code formatting |
| ESLint | Code quality checking |
| Live Server | Real-time page updates |
| Github Copilot | AI pair programming |
| GitLens | Enhanced Git capabilities |
To install extensions:
- Open VS Code
- Click the Extensions icon in the Activity Bar
- Search for the desired extension
- Click “Install”
VS Code’s popularity stems from its ability to consolidate multiple tools into one environment, reducing context switching and improving workflow efficiency. The Live Share feature enables real-time collaborative coding, making it easier for teams to work together remotely.
2. GitHub
GitHub stands as a cornerstone for web developers in 2024, offering a powerful platform for code management and collaboration. It serves as a web-based interface for Git, making version control more accessible to developers of all skill levels.
Key features of GitHub include:
- Version control: Track changes, revert to previous versions, and manage branches
- Collaboration tools: Pull requests, code reviews, and issue tracking
- Project management: Organize tasks, milestones, and project boards
- Integration capabilities: Connect with various development tools and services
GitHub’s popularity is backed by impressive numbers:
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Total users | Over 100 million |
| Projects hosted | Over 420 million |
| Contributions (2022) | Over 3.5 billion |
The platform’s impact on development workflows is substantial:
- 22% increase in productivity
- 7x faster vulnerability fixes
- 80% reduction in onboarding time
For web developers, GitHub offers practical benefits:
- Open-source community: Access and contribute to a vast array of projects
- Portfolio building: Showcase work to potential employers
- Collaboration: Work with team members regardless of location
- Continuous integration: Use GitHub Actions for automated workflows
To get started with GitHub:
- Create an account at github.com
- Set up a repository for your project
- Learn basic Git commands (clone, commit, push, pull)
- Explore open-source projects in your area of interest
GitHub’s ecosystem extends beyond code hosting. The GitHub Marketplace provides additional tools to enhance your development process, from code quality checkers to project management add-ons.
3. Chrome DevTools
Chrome DevTools is a set of web development tools built directly into the Google Chrome browser. It’s a must-have for web developers in 2024, offering a wide range of features to inspect, debug, and optimize websites.
Key features of Chrome DevTools include:
- Elements Panel: Inspect and modify HTML and CSS in real-time
- Console Panel: Debug JavaScript and log messages
- Sources Panel: Set breakpoints and debug JavaScript code
- Network Panel: Monitor network requests and identify slow-loading resources
- Performance Panel: Analyze runtime performance, including scripting, rendering, and painting times
- Application Panel: Manage storage, cookies, and cache
To access Chrome DevTools, right-click on any webpage and select “Inspect” or use the keyboard shortcut (Ctrl+Shift+I on Windows/Linux or Cmd+Option+I on Mac).
Here’s a quick comparison of Chrome DevTools panels and their primary functions:
| Panel | Primary Function |
|---|---|
| Elements | Inspect and edit HTML/CSS |
| Console | Debug JavaScript and log messages |
| Sources | Set breakpoints and debug JavaScript |
| Network | Monitor network activity |
| Performance | Analyze runtime performance |
| Application | Manage storage and caching |
Chrome DevTools is constantly updated with new features. In 2024, it includes:
- Enhanced performance profiling
- Streamlined autofill capabilities
- Scroll-driven animations
- Enhanced network throttling for WebRTC
- Improved CSS nesting support
These updates aim to boost workflow efficiency for web developers.
To make the most of Chrome DevTools:
- Use the Elements Panel to test CSS changes in real-time
- Leverage the Console Panel for quick JavaScript testing
- Use the Network Panel to identify and optimize slow-loading resources
- Familiarize yourself with keyboard shortcuts for faster navigation
Chrome DevTools also offers device emulation, allowing developers to test responsive designs without physical devices. To use this feature, click the mobile icon in DevTools and select a device from the dropdown menu.
While Chrome DevTools provides a robust set of tools for web developers, Hoverify takes your productivity to a whole new level. Hoverify is an all-in-one browser extension designed to simplify your web development process with innovative, easy-to-use features that integrate seamlessly into your workflow.
Key Features of Hoverify:
| Feature | Primary Function |
|---|---|
| Inspector | Inspect HTML and CSS by hovering over elements, click to edit |
| Color Eyedropper | Pick colors from anywhere on the page, including images and iframes |
| Responsive Viewer | Preview websites on multiple devices and resolutions |
| Assets | Extract images, SVGs, videos, PDFs, and Lottie animations |
| Site Stack | Discover the tech stack (CMS, frameworks, libraries) of any site |
| SEO | Optimize websites for search engines |
| Capture | Capture and annotate screenshots for bug reporting or showcases |
| Debug | Clear browsing data or inject persistent HTML with one click |
Learn how you can add dark mode to any website using Hoverify here.
4. Node.js
Node.js is a JavaScript runtime that lets developers use JavaScript for server-side programming. It’s built on Chrome’s V8 engine and offers high performance for web applications.
Key features of Node.js include:
- Asynchronous and event-driven: Handles multiple connections without blocking
- Fast execution: Uses Google’s V8 JavaScript engine for quick code processing
- Cross-platform: Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux
- NPM: Access to over a million open-source packages
Node.js shines in building scalable, real-time applications. Its non-blocking I/O model makes it ideal for:
- Chat applications
- Streaming services
- Collaborative tools
- APIs and microservices
To start with Node.js:
- Install Node.js from the official website
- Create a new project:
npm init -y - Install necessary packages:
npm install fastify
Here’s a simple Node.js server example:
import Fastify from 'fastify'
const fastify = Fastify({
logger: true
})
// Declare a route
fastify.get('/', async function handler (request, reply) {
return { hello: 'world' }
})
// Run the server!
try {
await fastify.listen({ port: 3000 })
} catch (err) {
fastify.log.error(err)
process.exit(1)
}
Node.js is particularly useful for:
- Building RESTful APIs
- Developing microservices
- Creating real-time applications
- Handling I/O-bound tasks efficiently
While Node.js excels in many areas, it’s not ideal for CPU-intensive tasks. For such cases, consider using worker threads or the cluster module to distribute the workload.
5. NPM
NPM is the default package manager for Node.js, offering access to a vast ecosystem of JavaScript libraries. It is an essential tool for JavaScript developers to manage dependencies, scripts, and project configurations.
Key features of NPM include:
- Extensive library collection: Over 1 million open-source packages available
- Dependency management: Easily install, update, and manage project dependencies
- Version control: Manage different versions of packages across projects
- Script automation: Use NPM scripts to automate tasks like testing, building, and deployment
NPM is ideal for simplifying project management, ensuring smooth integration of external libraries and tools in:
- Web development
- Backend services with Node.js
- Frontend frameworks like React, Vue.js, and Angular
To get started with NPM:
- Install Node.js (which comes with NPM) from the official website.
- Initialize a new project:
npm init -y - Install a package:
npm install express
Here’s how to use NPM to create a simple project:
# Initialize a new project
npm init -y
# Install Express.js, a web framework
npm install express
Example of a basic server with Express.js:
const express = require('express');
const app = express();
app.get('/', (req, res) => {
res.send('Hello, World!');
});
app.listen(3000, () => {
console.log('Server is running on port 3000');
});
NPM is crucial for:
- Managing project dependencies efficiently
- Sharing reusable code across projects
- Automating development tasks with NPM scripts
While NPM is primarily used with Node.js, its powerful package management system is also beneficial for frontend development, enabling you to install and manage tools like Webpack, Babel, and ESLint.
6. Astro
Astro.js is a modern static site generator that allows developers to build fast, content-focused websites. It leverages the power of JavaScript frameworks while producing lightweight, high-performance static HTML.
Key features of Astro.js include:
- Partial Hydration: Loads JavaScript only when necessary, improving performance
- Framework-agnostic: Supports React, Vue, Svelte, and more in the same project
- Content-focused: Excellent for blogs, documentation, and marketing sites
- Static-first: Generates static HTML by default for fast loading times
Astro.js excels in creating content-rich websites with optimal performance. It’s particularly well-suited for:
- Personal blogs
- Documentation sites
- Marketing landing pages
- Portfolio websites
To start with Astro.js:
- Create a new project:
npm create astro@latest - Navigate to your project directory:
cd your-project-name - Start the development server:
npm run dev
Here’s a simple Astro.js component example:
---
const title = "My Astro Site";
---
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="utf-8" />
<title>{title}</title>
</head>
<body>
<h1>{title}</h1>
<p>Welcome to my Astro-powered website!</p>
</body>
</html>
Astro.js is particularly useful for:
- Creating high-performance static websites
- Integrating multiple front-end frameworks in one project
- Building content-heavy sites with optimal load times
- Developing sites with a JAMstack architecture
While Astro.js is great for static sites, it may not be the best choice for highly dynamic applications that require extensive client-side interactivity. For such cases, a full-fledged JavaScript framework might be more appropriate.
Astro.js combines the best of static site generation with modern web development practices, making it an excellent choice for developers looking to create fast, efficient, and content-focused websites.
7. Insomnia
Insomnia is a powerful, open-source HTTP client that simplifies the process of testing, debugging, and documenting APIs. It provides a user-friendly interface for making API requests and analyzing responses. Key features of Insomnia include:
- Cross-platform: Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux
- Support for multiple protocols: HTTP, HTTPS, WebSocket, and GraphQL
- Request organization: Group requests into workspaces and folders
- Environment variables: Define and switch between different environments
- Authentication support: Basic, OAuth, API Key, and more
- Code generation: Automatically generate code snippets for various languages
- Plugins and themes: Extend functionality and customize appearance
Insomnia is particularly useful for:
- API Development and Testing
- Collaboration among team members
- API Documentation
- Debugging and troubleshooting
- Performance analysis of API endpoints
To get started with Insomnia:
- Download and install Insomnia from the official website
- Create a new workspace for your project
- Add a new request by clicking the ”+” button
- Configure your request (method, URL, headers, body, etc.)
- Send the request and analyze the response
Here’s a simple example of how to set up a GET request in Insomnia:
- Click “New Request”
- Name your request (e.g., “Get Users”)
- Select GET as the method
- Enter the API endpoint URL (e.g., https://api.example.com/users)
- Add any necessary headers or query parameters
- Click “Send” to make the request
Insomnia offers several advanced features:
- Request chaining: Use data from one request in another
- Cookie management: Automatically handle and store cookies
- GraphQL support: Built-in GraphQL editor and schema exploration
- SSL certificate management: Configure and use custom SSL certificates
- Proxy settings: Route requests through a proxy server
While Insomnia is excellent for API testing and development, it’s important to note that it’s not designed for load testing or performance benchmarking of APIs at scale. For those use cases, consider specialized tools like Apache JMeter or Gatling.
Insomnia can significantly streamline your API development workflow, making it easier to test, debug, and document your APIs efficiently.
8. Netlify
Netlify is a powerful platform for web developers that offers hosting and serverless backend services for static websites and web applications. It provides an all-in-one workflow that combines global deployment, continuous integration, and automated HTTPS. Key features of Netlify include:
- Continuous Deployment: Automatically build and deploy sites from Git repositories
- Global CDN: Instant cache invalidation and atomic deploys
- One-click HTTPS: Automatic SSL/TLS certificates
- Serverless Functions: Run server-side code without managing servers
- Forms Handling: Built-in form submission without server-side code
- Split Testing: Easy A/B testing for web projects
- Identity Service: Manage and authenticate users
- Large File Hosting: Host and serve large media files efficiently
Netlify is particularly useful for:
- Hosting static websites and Single Page Applications (SPAs)
- Implementing JAMstack architecture
- Continuous integration and deployment pipelines
- Serverless backend functionality
- Collaborative web development projects
To get started with Netlify:
- Sign up for a Netlify account on their website
- Connect your Git repository (GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket)
- Configure your build settings
- Deploy your site with a single click
- Set up a custom domain (optional)
Here’s a simple example of how to deploy a static site to Netlify:
- Push your static site files to a Git repository
- Log in to Netlify and click “New site from Git”
- Choose your Git provider and repository
- Configure build settings (if necessary)
- Click “Deploy site”
Netlify offers several advanced features:
- Deploy Previews: Automatically generate previews for pull requests
- Environment Variables: Securely manage configuration values
- Netlify CMS: Open-source content management for your Git workflow
- Analytics: Built-in analytics for Netlify sites
- Edge Lambda Functions: Run serverless functions at the edge
- Netlify Dev: Local development environment that replicates Netlify’s production environment
While Netlify excels in static site hosting and serverless deployments, it may not be the best choice for:
- Traditional server-side rendered applications
- Large-scale enterprise applications with complex backend requirements
- Applications requiring full control over server infrastructure
Netlify significantly simplifies the process of deploying and managing modern web projects, making it an excellent choice for developers looking for an efficient and feature-rich hosting platform.
9. Playwright
Playwright is a powerful, open-source automation framework for web testing and browser automation. Developed by Microsoft, it allows developers to write reliable end-to-end tests for web applications across multiple browsers. Key features of Playwright include:
- Cross-browser support: Works with Chromium, Firefox, and WebKit
- Cross-platform: Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux
- Auto-wait: Automatically waits for elements to be ready before performing actions
- Web-first assertions: Assertions that automatically wait for the condition to be met
- Tracing: Built-in tracing for test execution, including screenshots and videos
- Network interception: Ability to mock and modify network requests
- Emulation: Simulate mobile devices, geolocation, and permissions
- Isolated contexts: Each test runs in its own browser context for clean, reproducible tests
Playwright is particularly useful for:
- End-to-end testing of web applications
- Cross-browser testing
- Performance testing and monitoring
- Web scraping and automation
- Generating PDF files from web pages
To get started with Playwright:
- Install Node.js on your system
- Create a new project:
npm init -y - Install Playwright:
npm init playwright@latest - Write your first test
- Run the test:
npx playwright test
Here’s a simple example of a Playwright test:
import { test, expect } from '@playwright/test';
test('basic test', async ({ page }) => {
await page.goto('https://playwright.dev/');
const title = page.locator('.navbar__inner .navbar__title');
await expect(title).toHaveText('Playwright');
});
Playwright offers several advanced features:
- Codegen: Generate tests by recording your actions in the browser
- API testing: Make API calls and assert responses
- Parallel execution: Run tests in parallel for faster execution
- Playwright Inspector: Debug your tests with a built-in GUI
- Accessibility testing: Verify accessibility of your web pages
- Component testing: Test individual components in isolation
- Visual comparisons: Compare screenshots to detect visual regressions
While Playwright excels in browser automation and testing, it may not be the best choice for:
- Testing native mobile applications (use Appium or XCUITest/Espresso instead)
- Load testing or performance benchmarking at scale (consider tools like JMeter or k6)
- Unit testing of JavaScript code (use Jest or Mocha for this)
Playwright simplifies the process of writing and maintaining robust, cross-browser tests for web applications. Its auto-wait functionality and strong defaults make it easier to write tests that are less flaky and more reliable compared to traditional Selenium-based approaches.
10. Figma
Figma has become a go-to tool for web developers and designers in 2024, offering a cloud-based platform for collaborative design work. Unlike traditional design software, Figma operates entirely in the browser, making it accessible across different operating systems.
Key features of Figma include:
- Real-time collaboration
- Cloud-based storage and version control
- Prototyping capabilities
- Cross-platform accessibility
- Integrated AI features through FigJam AI
Figma’s popularity among UI designers is evident, with 90% or more using it to create web and mobile app blueprints. This widespread adoption makes it crucial for developers to familiarize themselves with the tool.
In 2023, Figma introduced Dev Mode, a feature that bridges the gap between designers and developers. Dev Mode allows developers to:
- Access design specifications and measurements
- Generate code snippets
- View status updates from designers
Kris Rasmussen, CTO of Figma, stated: “We want to make Figma more welcoming for developers that use Figma today and for those who might use it in the future.”
To get started with Figma, developers can:
- Create a free account on Figma’s website
- Explore the interface, which includes a canvas for designs and toolbars for editing
- Use the “Dev Mode” to interact with design files more effectively
Figma offers different pricing tiers:
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| Starter Team | Free |
| Professional Team | $12/editor/month (annual billing) |
| Organization | $45/editor/month |
| Enterprise | $75/editor/month |
While Figma excels in design and collaboration, it’s worth noting that it produces basic HTML/CSS/React output. Developers should view Figma as a starting point in the design process rather than a complete code generation tool.
Wrap-up
Using good tools in web development isn’t just about making your job easier—it’s about boosting your productivity and the quality of your work. The right tools can help you write better code, debug faster, and build more robust applications.
Here’s why trying different tools matters:
- Improved efficiency: Tools like Visual Studio Code and Chrome DevTools can speed up your workflow, letting you focus on coding rather than mundane tasks.
- Better collaboration: GitHub, for example, makes it easier to work with team members and manage code versions.
- Enhanced debugging: Tools like Chrome Devtools and Hoverify can help you catch and fix errors quickly, improving your code quality.
- Streamlined deployment: Netlify can make your deployment process smoother and more consistent across development environments.
Remember, the tools you choose can have a big impact on your projects. For instance, when Atlassian, the company behind popular developer tools like Jira and Confluence, reported revenues of $1.6B in 2020, it showed just how much companies value good development tools.
So, don’t be afraid to experiment with new tools. Each one you try could be the key to unlocking your next level of productivity or solving a persistent problem in your workflow.
