Purpose: Easy feedback on prototypes by copying Object IDs to clipboard
Dev Mode is a built-in feature in all WDS prototypes that allows testers, stakeholders, and designers to easily reference specific UI elements when providing feedback.
Instead of saying "The button in the top right", you can say "Fix customer-sign-bankid" - precise and unambiguous!
Two ways:
The button will turn blue and say "Dev Mode: ON"
Prototype still works normally! You can click buttons, fill forms, etc.
You'll see a green success message: "✓ Copied: [object-id]"
Important: Shift key is disabled when typing in form fields (input, textarea, etc.) so you can type capital letters and special characters normally!
Now paste the Object ID in your feedback:
Good feedback:
❌ Issue with `customer-sign-bankid`:
The button is disabled even after I check the consent checkbox.
💡 Suggestion for `sidebar-video`:
Make the video auto-play on mobile.
Developer knows EXACTLY which element you're talking about!
| State | Appearance | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Dev Mode OFF | Normal prototype | Click button or press Ctrl+E |
| Dev Mode ON (hovering) | Gray outline | Shows Object ID in tooltip |
| Shift held (hovering) | Green outline | Click to copy |
| After copying | Green flash | Object ID in clipboard |
customer-facility-startdate-group shows wrong default date"Receives feedback:
Bug: `customer-facility-startdate-group` shows wrong default date
customer-facility-startdate-groupWhen you receive Object IDs in feedback:
id="object-id" attributedata-object-id="object-id" attributeQ: Does Dev Mode affect the prototype?
A: No! The prototype works normally. You need to hold Shift to copy IDs.
Q: Can I use this on mobile?
A: Yes! The button appears on mobile too. Use a Bluetooth keyboard or on-screen Shift key.
Q: Can I type in form fields while Dev Mode is on?
A: Yes! Shift key is automatically disabled when you're typing in input fields or textareas, so you can type capital letters and special characters normally.
Q: What if an element doesn't have an ID?
A: Dev Mode walks up the tree to find the nearest parent with an ID.
Q: Can I copy multiple IDs?
A: Yes! Hold Shift, click first element, release Shift, hold again, click second element, etc.
Q: Is this only for bugs?
A: No! Use it for any feedback - bugs, suggestions, questions, clarifications.
Problem: Dev Mode button not showing
Solution: Check that dev-mode.js and dev-mode.css are loaded
Problem: Clicking doesn't copy
Solution: Make sure you're holding Shift while clicking
Problem: Tooltip not showing
Solution: Element might not have an ID - check console logs
Problem: Can't turn off Dev Mode
Solution: Press Ctrl+E or refresh the page
Dev Mode makes feedback precise, fast, and frustration-free! 🎯