README

vue-remote-devtools

This package provides a standalone vue-devtools application, that can be used to debug any Vue app regardless of the environment. Now you can debug your app opened in mobile browser, safari, native script etc. not just desktop chrome or firefox.

:cd: Installation

Install the package globally:

npm install -g @vue/devtools

Or locally as project dependency:

npm install --save-dev @vue/devtools

:rocket: Usage

Using global package

Once you installed the package globally, run:

vue-devtools

Then add:

<script src="http://localhost:8098"></script>

Or if you want to debug your device remotely:

<script>
  window.__VUE_DEVTOOLS_HOST__ = '<your-local-ip>' // default: localhost
  window.__VUE_DEVTOOLS_PORT__ = '<devtools-port>' // default: 8098
</script>
<script src="http://<your-local-ip>:8098"></script>

To the <head> section of your app. (Don't forget to remove it before deploying to production!)

<your-local-ip> usually looks like this: 192.168.x.x.

Using dependency package

Once you installed the package as project dependency, run:

./node_modules/.bin/vue-devtools

You can also use the global vue-devtools to start the app, but you might want to check if the local version matches the global one in this scenario to avoid any incompatibilities.

Then import it directly in your app:

import devtools from '@vue/devtools'
// import Vue from 'vue'

Make sure you import devtools before Vue, otherwise it might not work as expected.

And connect to host:

if (process.env.NODE_ENV === 'development') {
  devtools.connect(/* host, port */)
}

host - is an optional argument that tells your application where devtools middleware server is running, if you debug you app on your computer you don't have to set this (the default is http://localhost), but if you want to debug your app on mobile devices, you might want to pass your local IP (e.g. http://192.168.1.12).

port - is an optional argument that tells your application on what port devtools middleware server is running. If you use proxy server, you might want to set it to null so the port won't be added to connection URL.

FAQ:

1. How to change port devtools server is running on?

You can change it by setting environment variable before running it:

PORT=8000 vue-devtools

Then in your app you'll have to set either:

window.__VUE_DEVTOOLS_PORT__ = 8000

Or update connect method with new port:

devtools.connect(/* host */, 8000)

2. How to remotely inspect page on the server?

For that you can use ngrok proxy. You can download it here.

Once you start vue-devtools run:

ngrok http 8098

Then update your host and port accordingly:

devtools.connect('https://example.ngrok.io', null)

Make sure to set port to null or false, because ngrok host already proxies to proper port that we defined in the first command.

3. How to inspect page served through HTTPS?

For that you can also use ngrok, as it automatically proxies https requests to http. Take a look at question number 2 for instructions.

4. How to inspect cordova applications?

Make sure that the page under http://your-ip:8098 is returning a javascript coode on your device/simulator. If it doesn't - make sure to check your anti-virus or router/firewall settings. If it works - please follow the instructions, and connect to devtools using your IP. For example:

import devtools from '@vue/devtools'
import Vue from 'vue'
// ...

function onDeviceReady () {
  devtools.connect('http://192.168.xx.yy') // use your IP
}

if (window.location.protocol === 'file:') {
  document.addEventListener('deviceready', onDeviceReady, false)
} else {
  onDeviceReady()
}

This will only work on development build of your app.

:beers: Development

Install all dependencies

npm install

Run:

npm run dev

This will watch src folder and compile files on change

Run:

npm start

This will open electron app with devtools

Follow Usage section to connect any app to your development version of vue-remote-devtools

:lock: License

MIT

Usage no npm install needed!