Using Chrome Dev Tools, I occasionally want to inspect an element that requires focus - for example, inspecting a selected date in a date selector.

Problem

As soon as I click the dev tools window, the element loses focus and I can no longer inspect in with the desired state.

Undesirable solution

On occasion when I’ve run into this scenario, I’ve placed a breakpoint or debugger statement in the JavaScript function that would be called when focus is lost. The problem with this is that it takes time and I need to locate the appropriate place in code.

Better solution

When in the desired state - for example, with the current date selected - pressing F8 will pause JavaScript execution. I can then inspect the DOM in the desired state.