How to Extract HTML CSS JS for Specific DOM Elements:

Like web developers, inspecting website source code for markup analysis can be insightful. However, this process can become tedious when extracting specific sections for local evaluation. Copying individual elements and associated CSS can be cumbersome, and saving the entire source only to delete irrelevant code is inefficient.

SnappySnippet: A Practical Solution

I developed SnappySnippet to address this issue. This open-source tool, available on GitHub, facilitates effortless extraction of HTML CSS code from the last inspected DOM node. It also provides options for direct code sharing with CodePen or JSFiddle.

SnappySnippet Features:

• HTML Cleanup: Removes unnecessary attributes and improves indentation.
• CSS Optimization: Enhances readability by streamlining code structure.
• Fully Configurable: Users can disable or enable various filters as needed.
• Pseudo-Element Support: Extracting content from ::before and ::after pseudo-elements is supported.
• User-Friendly Interface: Built with Bootstrap and Flat-UI for an intuitive user experience.

Implementation Challenges and Solutions:

Creating SnappySnippet presented several challenges. Here's how I overcame them:

Getting Matched CSS Rules:

Initially, I attempted to retrieve original CSS rules from CSS files. However, this approach resulted in inconsistent selectors, making code extraction ineffective in the context of HTML snippets.

Using getComputedStyle():

I shifted focus to getComputedStyle(), but desired CSS isolation remained elusive.

Problem 1: Separating CSS from HTML

To separate CSS from HTML, I assigned unique IDs to selected nodes and used these for targeted CSS rule creation.

Problem 2: Removing Default Values

getComputedStyle() returns all CSS properties and values for an element, including empty and browser default values. I created an empty iframe to extract default styles and remove insignificant properties from the HTML snippet.

Problem 3: Keeping Only Shorthand Properties

I removed properties with shorthand equivalents to enhance code readability.

Problem 4: Removing Prefixed Properties

Excessive use of prefixed properties (-webkit-, etc.) posed a challenge. I decided to eliminate these properties since their relevance was uncertain and most often unnecessary.

Problem 5: Combining Identical CSS Rules

Repetitive CSS rules were optimized by combining rules with identical properties and values, resulting in more compact code.

Problem 6: Cleaning and Indenting HTML

I utilized the jquery-clean library to reformat the HTML code, improving readability and removing unwanted attributes.

Problem 7: Filter Flexibility

Users have the option to disable filters from the Settings menu, providing flexibility for specific use cases.