How to Check API Calls in Developer Tools
1. Open Developer Tools
To start monitoring API calls, you first need to open the developer tools in your web browser. Here’s how you can do it in the two most common browsers:
- Google Chrome: Press
Ctrl+Shift+I(Windows/Linux) orCmd+Option+I(Mac) to open the Developer Tools. Alternatively, you can right-click on the page and select "Inspect" from the context menu. - Mozilla Firefox: Press
Ctrl+Shift+I(Windows/Linux) orCmd+Option+I(Mac) to open the Developer Tools. You can also right-click on the page and select "Inspect Element."
2. Navigate to the Network Tab
Once the Developer Tools are open, navigate to the "Network" tab. This tab is where you'll be able to see all network requests made by the browser, including API calls.
3. Reload the Page
To ensure you capture all API calls from the start, it’s often best to reload the page after opening the Network tab. Press F5 or Ctrl+R (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+R (Mac) to reload the page. As the page reloads, you will see a list of network requests populating in the Network tab.
4. Filter API Calls
The Network tab can display a lot of different types of requests, so it’s helpful to filter for API calls specifically:
- In Google Chrome: Use the filter box at the top of the Network tab. You can type keywords related to the API endpoints you're interested in or use the “XHR” (XMLHttpRequest) filter to show only API requests.
- In Mozilla Firefox: Use the filter box or select the "XHR" option from the filter toolbar to narrow down to API calls.
5. Analyze API Calls
Click on an API call to view detailed information about it. The following details are typically available:
- Headers: Shows the request and response headers, including information such as content type, status codes, and more.
- Preview: Provides a preview of the response data, which can be useful for understanding the structure of the data being returned.
- Response: Displays the raw response data returned from the API call.
- Timing: Shows detailed timing information for each stage of the request, including DNS lookup, connection, and response times.
6. Inspect Request and Response
- Request: Check the URL, request method (GET, POST, etc.), request headers, and query parameters. This helps verify that your API request is structured correctly.
- Response: Examine the response body and headers to ensure the API is returning the expected data. This section can also help debug issues with the API response.
7. Use Console for Debugging
You can also use the Console tab to log information about your API calls. This is particularly useful for debugging purposes. For example, you can use console.log() to output data related to your API requests and responses directly in the console.
8. Save and Share Network Logs
If you need to share the details of your API calls with others, you can save the network logs:
- In Google Chrome: Right-click within the Network tab and select “Save all as HAR with content.” This file can be shared with others for analysis.
- In Mozilla Firefox: Click on the settings icon (gear icon) in the Network tab and select “Save all as HAR.”
9. Performance Considerations
Monitoring API calls can help you identify performance issues. Look for long response times or failed requests, which can indicate problems with the server or network.
10. Best Practices
- Regular Monitoring: Make it a habit to check API calls regularly during development and debugging.
- Automated Tools: Consider using automated monitoring tools or services for continuous API monitoring.
By following these steps, you’ll be able to effectively monitor and analyze API calls, ensuring your web applications run smoothly and efficiently.
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