The Problem: Our Browser State is a Mess
As web developers, we live in the browser's DevTools, but managing application state is still a major pain point. If you're testing an app with different user roles (e.g., admin, editor, guest), you're stuck in a loop: log out, clear storage, log in, test, repeat. It's a workflow that feels stuck in the past.
Manually editing localStorage is clumsy, and there's no easy way to save and restore a complete browser state for a specific test case.
The Solution: Treat Your Tab's Storage Like a Git Repo
I wanted a better way. I wanted to be able to "commit" a storage state, give it a name, and "checkout" that state whenever I needed it. This idea led me to build Tab Storage Copier, a browser extension that brings proper state management to your workflow.
The Game-Changing Feature: Profiles
The heart of the extension is Profile Management. This isn't just about copying and pasting; it's about true state control.
- Save Profile & Version: Got the app set up for an "Admin User"? Click "Save Profile," name it "Admin," and give it a version name like "v1 - Full Permissions." The extension snapshots everything:
localStorage,sessionStorage, and all cookies. - Load Profile: Need to test the admin view again? Just click "Load Profile," select "Admin v1," and your current tab's storage is instantly wiped and replaced with the snapshot. No more logging in.
- Manage Profiles: As you create more profiles and versions, a simple manager lets you delete what you no longer need, keeping your workspace tidy.
More Than Just Profiles
While profiles are the main event, the extension also includes essential utilities:
- Quick Clear Tool: A big "Clear" button to nuke storage from the active tab. It has a smart confirmation dialog to prevent you from accidentally wiping the wrong thing.
- Simple Storage Copy: The original feature that started it all. Quickly copy storage from another tab when you don't need a full profile.
Why This Changes Everything
This tool has fundamentally changed how I test and debug. I can switch between a dozen different user states in the time it used to take me to log out and log back in once. It makes reproducing bugs and setting up demos incredibly efficient.
If you've ever felt the frustration of managing browser state manually, I built this for you.
You can install it from your favorite browser's store:
- Chrome: https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/tab-storage-copier/gnbnohblpgfdellglplgpnfjpokalgen?hl=en-US&utm_source=ext_sidebar
- Edge: https://microsoftedge.microsoft.com/addons/detail/tab-storage-copier/hfcopmhdfklplklpmpknbmaakjemeadc
- Firefox: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/tab-storage-copier/
I hope it helps you reclaim some of your valuable development time. Let me know what you think!
Top comments (0)