Product Introduction

1. Pointer is a Chrome extension that enhances the built-in DevTools element inspector by adding a persistent DOM navigation tool that remains active during workflow. It allows developers to inspect and manipulate elements without repeatedly reactivating the inspection tool.
2. The core value lies in streamlining the debugging process through continuous element selection, visual overlays, and direct integration with Chrome DevTools. It reduces context-switching by maintaining inspection states and enabling real-time DOM edits.

Main Features

1. Pointer provides always-on element selection using arrow keys or clicks, allowing navigation through parent, child, and sibling nodes without deactivating the tool. The selection persists across interactions, unlike Chrome’s default inspector, which disables after one selection.
2. It displays a color-coded box model overlay for margins, padding, and content areas, alongside real-time element dimensions and behavioral badges (e.g., flex, grid, scroll containers). A built-in ruler measures pixel distances between elements when holding the Alt key.
3. The extension syncs selections with Chrome DevTools, automatically scrolling elements into view and retaining state when reopening DevTools. Pro features include an inline attribute editor (press "/"), a JavaScript console (press ";") for context-specific commands, and CSS selector search (press "f").

Problems Solved

1. It eliminates the need to repeatedly reactivate Chrome’s element inspector, which disrupts workflows during multi-element debugging. Developers no longer lose selection context when switching between tools or refreshing the page.
2. The tool targets front-end developers, QA engineers, and designers who require precise DOM inspection and manipulation. It is particularly useful for debugging complex layouts, responsive designs, and dynamic content.
3. Typical use cases include auditing CSS box models, measuring alignment between elements, editing attributes without switching panels, and executing quick JavaScript tests on selected nodes.

Unique Advantages

1. Unlike default DevTools or competing extensions, Pointer maintains an active inspection state with keyboard-driven navigation and pass-through mode (hold "`"), enabling simultaneous page interaction.
2. Innovative features like the inline attribute editor and JavaScript console allow direct DOM manipulation without leaving the inspection context. The undo/redo system supports up to 50 actions for error recovery.
3. Competitive advantages include seamless DevTools integration, cross-platform shortcut consistency (Cmd/Ctrl keys), and a privacy-focused design that collects no user data. Pro features are unlocked without subscriptions, requiring a one-time purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How does Pointer stay active when Chrome’s inspector turns off? Pointer runs as a persistent overlay using Chrome’s debugger API, intercepting DOM events while maintaining a separate state from DevTools. It avoids conflicts by leveraging pass-through mode for normal page interactions.
2. Does Pointer work with dynamically loaded content? Yes, it automatically detects and highlights new elements added via JavaScript, syncing with DevTools to ensure accurate selection. The ruler and overlays update in real time for AJAX-driven changes.
3. Are edits made with Pointer reversible? All DOM manipulations (cut, copy, paste, delete) support undo/redo via Cmd/Ctrl+Z and Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+Z. The extension tracks up to 50 recent changes across sessions.
4. Is there cross-platform support for keyboard shortcuts? Yes, shortcuts adapt to OS conventions: Cmd keys on macOS and Ctrl keys on Windows/Linux. Custom key bindings are configurable in the extension’s settings menu.
5. How does Pointer handle privacy? The extension does not collect user data, network requests, or page content. All operations occur locally, complying with Chrome’s strict permissions for activeTab and debugger access.