Responsively: The Web Dev’s Secret Weapon for Responsive Design
Building responsive websites can be a headache. Constantly resizing browser windows, juggling device emulators, and testing across breakpoints eats up time. That’s where Responsively comes in—a free, open-source browser designed specifically for responsive web development.
With over 23.5k GitHub stars and a passionate community, it’s not just another dev tool. It’s a workflow game-changer.
What It Does
Responsively is a modified Chromium browser that lets you view your site across multiple screen sizes simultaneously. No more manual resizing or switching between tabs. It syncs scrolling, clicks, and inputs across all previews, so you can debug interactions in real time.
Key features:
- Multi-view layouts: Preview your site on phone, tablet, and desktop—all at once.
- Mirrored interactions: Click or scroll in one device frame, and the rest follow.
- Custom breakpoints: Add your own screen sizes beyond the default presets.
- Device profiles: Includes accurate dimensions for iPhones, Pixels, and more.
- Dark mode: Because every dev tool needs one.
Why It’s Cool
Most responsive tools stop at viewport resizing. Responsively goes further:
- No setup: Just install and open your local/dev URL—no extensions or config.
- Performance insights: Spot layout shifts or slow renders across devices faster.
- Open-source: Self-host or tweak it (AGPL-3.0 licensed).
It’s like having a live design review without leaving your editor.
How to Try It
- Download the latest release for Windows, macOS, or Linux.
- Open the app and navigate to your project’s URL (local or remote).
- Tweak breakpoints, toggle devices, and watch changes sync instantly.
Final Thoughts
For freelancers or teams, Responsively cuts the friction out of responsive testing. It’s not perfect—some advanced devtools features are missing—but for quick iterations, it’s become my go-to.
If you’re tired of the Ctrl+Shift+M dance in Chrome, give it a spin. Your viewport-obsessed future self will thank you.
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