Top 5 Developer Tools You Should Bookmark
Five browser-based tools every developer needs in their bookmarks bar: JSON formatter, Base64, regex tester, cron parser, and hash generator.
Every developer has a graveyard of one-off websites they used once and forgot. But some tools are so useful they earn a permanent spot in your bookmarks bar. Here are five you should actually keep.
1. JSON Formatter
Debugging minified JSON is a nightmare. A good JSON formatter takes ugly, single-line JSON and pretty-prints it with proper indentation and syntax highlighting. Bonus points if it validates the JSON too — it'll tell you exactly which line is broken.
2. Base64 Encoder/Decoder
Base64 shows up everywhere: API tokens, image data URLs, email attachments. Whether you're encoding a string to embed in a config or decoding something a third-party API handed you, a Base64 tool that does both in one place is invaluable.
3. Regex Tester
Writing regex blind is a fast path to madness. A regex tester lets you write a pattern, throw in some test strings, and see matches highlight in real-time. The best ones also explain what your regex is actually doing.
4. Cron Expression Parser
Cron syntax is concise but cryptic. */15 9-17 * * 1-5 — wait, is that every 15 minutes during business hours on weekdays, or...? A cron parser converts that human-unfriendly string into plain English and shows you the next few execution times. No more guessing.
5. Hash Generator
Need to verify a file checksum, hash a password salt, or test how MD5/SHA-256 behave with your input? A hash generator that works in-browser (so your data doesn't go to a server) handles MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, and more.
Bookmark all five of these and you'll save yourself hours of frustration. They're all available free, with no sign-up, at Toolblip's directory.