A Chrome DevTools Extension that displays stacking contexts and z-index values in the elements panel

Latest Version

Version
3.0.0
Update
November 28, 2024
Size
30.48KiB
Developer
Category
Users
7,000+
Rating
3.45238 ★
Manifest Version
3
Web Store Status
Languages Support
English
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Permissions
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z-context Extension

Why use it? Browsers support a hierarchy of stacking contexts, rather than a single global one. This means that z-index values are often used incorrectly, and arbitrarily high values get set.

By Using Z-Context, you'll know:

- If the current element creates a stacking context, and why
- What its parent stacking context is
- The z-index value
--------
v3.0.0 - Update to manifest v3 and update stacking context rules https://github.com/gwwar/z-context/pull/29
v2.1.0 - Includes http protocol to facilitate development use cases https://github.com/gwwar/z-context/pull/23
v2.0.0 - Adds support for inspecting iframes https://github.com/gwwar/z-context/pull/21 https://github.com/gwwar/z-context/pull/22
v1.1.0 - Adds z-index stacking context rules as of 2021. Adds fixes for position sticky and shadow dom, props to roperzh and edenilan! See pulls 10, 17 and 18 at https://github.com/gwwar/z-context.
v1.0.4 - fixes will-change case. a stacking context is created for opacity/transform but not other values https://github.com/gwwar/z-context/pull/9
v1.0.3 - fixes display reason for flex-items https://github.com/gwwar/z-context/pull/4
v1.0.2 - adds new z-index rules, fixes a bug when inspecting a shadow dom elements. https://github.com/gwwar/z-context/pull/3
v1.0.1 - fix reason message for non-static positions, props to giuseppeg. https://github.com/gwwar/z-context/pull/1
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Source Manifest.json

{"update_url": "https://clients2.google.com/service/update2/crx","manifest_version": 3,"name": "z-context","version": "3.0.0","description": "A Chrome DevTools Extension that displays stacking contexts and z-index values in the elements panel","author": "gwwar","devtools_page": "devtools/index.html","background": {"service_worker": "background.js"},"content_scripts": [{"matches": ["http://*/*","https://*/*"],"js": ["content-script.js"],"all_frames": true,"run_at": "document_end"}],"icons": {"16": "icons/icon_16.png","48": "icons/icon_48.png","72": "icons/icon_72.png","96": "icons/icon_96.png","128": "icons/icon_128.png","144": "icons/icon_144.png","192": "icons/icon_192.png"}}
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How to download and manually install z-context extension for Chrome

Looking for a way to install z-context extensions for Chrome, you can search for them in the Chrome Web Store, clicking the "Add to Chrome" button, and following the straightforward process.

However, you may need to install z-context extensions manually, this article outlines two simple methods to effortlessly install z-context extensions, whether they come as unpacked folders in compressed formats like .zip or as .crx files.

Method 1: Download z-context extension and manually install through Drag &Drop

If you ever need to manually install a z-context extension for Chrome, don't worry, it's a simple process. Just follow these easy steps, and you will have your extension ready to use in no time.

Step 1: Download the z-context Extension by clicking the "Download CRX" button on the website.

Look for the z-context extension you wish to install. Go to the website and download the z-context extension package, which is usually a .CRX file and comes in a zipped file. Here ".crx" file is the format for z-context extension that contains all the data.

Step 2: Extract &Arrange Files

Once the file is downloaded, extract that file into its own folder. Similarly, give that extension files a permanent home. In other words, keep it in a folder that you don't accidentally delete it because these files will be needed to make that extension work.

Step 3: Go to the Chrome Extensions Page

Open Google Chrome and in the address bar, type chrome://extensions; it will open the Google Chrome extensions page. Make sure that "My extensions" is selected in the sidebar.

Step 4: Drag and Drop the Extension

Now, go to the folder where you extracted the z-context extension and drag &drop the extension file from there anywhere onto the extension page within Google Chrome.

Step 5: Complete the Installation

Once you drag and drop the extension file, follow the steps that Google Chrome takes you through. Similarly, if the extension file is of .crx file format, you will be required to review the permissions and then add the extension.

Now, you can manage that added extension as you would like to with any other Chrome extension that you added through Chrome Webstore. Its icon will also appear in the Google Chrome Menu on the right side of the address bar once you activate it.

Method 2: Download z-context extension for Chrome and install in Developer Mode

This is another method to install z-context extension manually, but the twist is that here, you install by enabling the developer mode option provided in Google Chrome. This mode is commonly used for testing extensions or running unpublished tools.

Step 1: Download the z-context extension file

Select and download the z-context extension by clicking the 'Download CRX' button on the website.

Step 2: Extract the downloaded contents

Convert the file to a ZIP file if it is in CRX format then extract the z-context extension zip file or folder that you downloaded. Make sure you extract it using the same folder name and keep it safely in another folder, so you don't delete it by mistake. The extracted folder will be needed to keep your z-context extension running.

Step 3: Open Chrome Extension Setting Page

In the address bar of Google Chrome, type chrome://extensions and open the Chrome Extension Page.

Step 4: Enable Developer Mode

After opening the Chrome Extension page, look at the top right side, and you will find the toggle option of "Developer mode."Simply enable that developer mode option.

Step 5: Load the Unpacked Extension

Once you enable the developer mode option, you will see the menu of Load Unpacked, Pack Extensions and Update. From that, select the option "Load unpacked."

Step 6: Select the Extension Folder

Once the pop-up opens upon clicking Load unpacked, select the z-context extension directory and click on the "Select Folder "button.

Step 7: Confirm and Install

After you select an extension folder of a Google Chrome extension you're installing manually, confirm its installation for the final time and let the installation complete.

Conclusion

Here we've made a step-by-step guide on How to manually install z-context extension in 2 ways. We hope this guide proves helpful.

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User reviews

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Zachary Wiles (ID: 00000003802614d5) Voted 4 ★ - Updated 03/04/2023 I have found that z-context v2.1.0 doesn't work (empty panel) upon first install until the browser is restarted. Temp fix: restart chrome browser after install. FAQ: Where does the Z-index panel appear? On the panel row with the Styles tab, at the very end, probably need to click the disclosure >> You can then rearrange by dragging the tab left.

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Rollmops94 (ID: 000000c5ce9b7331) Voted 1 ★ - Updated 01/05/2023 Funktioniert nicht.

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Lumbardh Elshani (ID: 0000009ccb7822bd) Voted 1 ★ - Updated 08/19/2022 Not working

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Patrick Baumann (ID: 00000009eaa380cb) Voted 1 ★ - Updated 05/12/2022 Not working

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Sebastian Vittersø (ID: 0000006683447aa2) Voted 5 ★ - Updated 11/02/2021 Worked wonders, super helpful for solving a problem related to stacking context.