How Console.help Works
The Origin Story
Picture this: It's late evening. I'm deep in troubleshooting mode with a customer who's experiencing an issue with their website.
For what feels like the thousandth time, I start typing: "Could you check your browser console? Press F12... oh wait, are you on Mac? Then it's Command+Option+J. Using Firefox? That's different..."
Every browser has its own way of doing the exact same thing! Why can't they all agree on one shortcut like Ctrl/Cmd+T for new tabs? That's when it hit me – there had to be a better way than this repetitive madness. And so, console.help was born.
How It Works
Console.help detects your browser and operating system (it's simple JavaScript, but it feels like magic when it just works).
Then it shows you the exact keyboard shortcut and click sequence for YOUR specific setup. No more confusion, no more "press this, unless you're using that, in which case press something else entirely."
Simply send anyone to console.help, and they'll get instructions customized to their exact environment. Problem solved!
Why I Built This
As the founder of Magic Pages (a managed Ghost CMS hosting service), I help people troubleshoot their websites every day.
Every support conversation that includes "Can you check your browser console?" used to require multiple messages just explaining how to open it. Now I just send them to console.help and we can focus on solving their actual problem together.
It's saved countless back-and-forth messages and made support so much smoother. Since it's been so helpful for me, I made it public for everyone else dealing with the same inconsistencies.
Who's Behind This?
I'm Jannis, a web developer and entrepreneur who got tired of explaining different browser console shortcuts over and over again.
When I'm not creating tiny web utilities to solve specific frustrations, I'm running Magic Pages, where I help publishers create beautiful websites and newsletters with Ghost CMS.
Want to see what else I'm working on? Check out my blog where I share insights and adventures as a solo founder (spoiler: mostly it's just me rambling about my own problems).
Is It Really That Simple?
Yep! That's literally it. No ads, no tracking (beyond basic analytics using the privacy-friendly Plausible), no ulterior motives. Just a simple tool that does one thing well: helps people open their browser console without the usual headache.
Feel free to share it with your team, your customers, your grandma...basically, anyone who needs to open their browser console.
Now go forth and console with confidence! 🚀