HTML File Preview in the Browser Panel
Right-click any `.html` or `.htm` file in the file explorer and pick **Open in 1DevTool's Browser** to render it inside the built-in browser panel — ideal for previewing static sites, build artefacts, exported reports, or scratch HTML. The same context menu pair (in-app browser or your system browser) is also available for PDFs, audio, and video files.
Why You Need This
How this feature boosts your daily productivity
Previewing a local HTML file used to mean dragging it into Finder, copying the path, or running a one-off `python -m http.server`. None of that is hard, but every one of them pulls you out of 1DevTool just to see what your file looks like. The built-in browser panel renders the file in place — side by side with the editor — so you tweak markup on the left and watch it render on the right without leaving the workspace. The same one-click flow handles PDFs, audio, and video, so previewing any build artefact stays inside 1DevTool.
How It Works
Get started in 4 simple steps
Set Your URL
Enter your local dev server URL or set a default per project. The browser loads your app instantly.
Navigate & Test
Use back, forward, and refresh controls. Open multiple tabs for different routes or states.
Debug with DevTools
Right-click or use the keyboard shortcut to open Chrome DevTools. Inspect elements, network, and console.
Iterate Rapidly
See code changes reflected in the browser without switching windows. Your dev loop stays inside 1DevTool.
Without 1DevTool
The manual way vs. the 1DevTool way
The Hard Way
The 1DevTool Way
Key Capabilities
Everything included with HTML File Preview in the Browser Panel
Why It Matters
The productivity impact of having browser preview built into your workspace
Tighter Dev Loop
See changes instantly without alt-tabbing to Chrome. Your code, terminal, and preview live in one window.
Built-in DevTools
Full Chrome DevTools for network, console, and DOM inspection. Debug without switching apps.
Multi-Tab Preview
Preview multiple routes or states simultaneously. Compare the login page and dashboard side by side.
Per-Project URLs
Each project remembers its default preview URL. Switch projects and the browser loads the right dev server.
More in Browser Preview
Other features in this category you might find useful
Embedded Browser
Preview your local dev server with a full browser — URL bar, tabs, back/forward, and refresh controls.
DevTools Access
Open Chrome DevTools for network inspection, console debugging, and element inspection inside 1DevTool.
Media Preview
Open PDFs, videos, and audio files directly in the built-in browser panel. Click a media file in the file explorer and it renders inline — full PDF navigation, native video controls, and audio playback without switching to an external app.
Ready to boost your workflow?
Download 1DevTool for free and experience HTML File Preview in the Browser Panel along with 122 other features — all in one app.